“That’s good,” Amalie says.
Catherine raises her head to meet her eyes. “Is it?”
“Rosalie would be devastated,” Henrietta puts in.
Catherine blinks. Do they—oh. Right. Yes. She and Rosalie are fighting over Mr.Dean. Amalie and Henrietta—Rosalie’s closest friends—don’t know anything about anything... else.
“I’m sure she’s not, seeing as nothing has actually happened,” Catherine says, trying to sound casual.
“Well, her mother certainly will be,” Henrietta says.
“You’re probably right about that. But I’m sure Lady Rosalie won’t be upset.”
“I’m sure she won’t either,” Amalie says. “As least she won’t if you haven’t said yes to him.”
“I haven’t,” Catherine insists. “There’s nothing to say yes to. There won’t be,” slips out unbidden.
“You’re sure?” Amalie asks, her green eyes sharp, gaze somehow too knowing.
Does Amalie know? Christopher wouldn’t tell her, not unless Rosalie gave him permission. Would he?
Catherine and Rosalie have been spending all their page space being gushy. She hasn’t thought to ask about Rosalie’s friends.
Her own friends.
“I’m sure,” Catherine tells Amalie.
“Well, you might want to tell Mr.Dean that,” Amalie says simply.
“And Rosalie,” Henrietta adds from her other side.
“Lady Rosalie already knows,” Catherine says.
“Discussed it on the trip to Blaise Castle I’ve heard nothing about, did you?” Amalie asks.
Catherine meets her eyes and wonders if perhaps she and Rosalie haven’t been as subtle as they thought. But she can’t be the one to tell them. Theyareher friends, but Rosalie should tell them. If she hasn’t already told them. God, she and Rosalie need to meet.
“Enough about Mr.Dean choking on a sandwich. Tell me about Mr.Rile,” Catherine says, turning away from Amalie’s knowing gaze to look at Henrietta. Who is blushing already.
“Well, Mr.Dean may not have made his intentions clear, but Mr.Rile has. He spoke with my father yesterday, and I think he might propose on the weekend,” Henrietta says, her pretty, round face breaking into an enormous grin.
“And you let me go on about Mr.Dean?” Catherine scolds, reaching out to take her hands in genuine excitement. “How wonderful. I’m so happy for you!”
“Thank you,” Henrietta says brightly. “My parents are elated.”
“And you?” Catherine asks immediately.
“Yes, areyouhappy?” Amalie asks, shifting closer on Catherine’s other side.
“I am,” Henrietta says, almost dreamily. “So happy.”
“Good,” Catherine says.
“If he hurts you, I will lance him with Mr.Tisend’s saber,” Amalie says.
“Have some real access to that saber, do you?” Catherine can’t help but ask.
Amalie chuckles. “I have more access than you know.”
