“Please,” Calliope said in a pleading tone. “It’ll help me. In a few months I’ll have my come out and this will give me a chance to learn some of the social skills I’ll need. These are people you socialize with regularly, isn’t it? Why don’t you want to go?”
Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose. The pain had intensified with each word she spoke. “I hate Christmastide,” he reminded her.
She pouted. “Then be grumpy the entire time. It is what you do every year, anyway.” Calliope placed her palms on his desk and met his gaze. “I want my season to be successful. Please don’t be difficult and help me.”
Calliope would be eight and ten in a month, and her first season would be, as she said soon. The Christmastide party was informal, and she had been invited along with him. She was right, of course. It would be beneficial for her. She could become more acquainted with the Duchess of Lindsey, the hostess of the event, and that connection at her back she would be nearly guaranteed a success. Daniel wanted the best for his sister, and that meant he would have to agree to attend the blasted party. “I’ll consider it,” he told her.
She rolled her eyes. “Consider fast. We will have to depart London soon if we’re going to travel to the Duke of Lindsey’s home in the country.”
“Is that so?” He fought a smile. “I hadn’t realized that. If you need an answer now, I believe I already gave you one.”
She groaned. “Why are you being so difficult?” She plopped down on a chair near his desk. “I thought you loved me.” Her tone was full of the exasperation she projected quite dramatically before him. “Why can’t you just say yes?”
“Has anyone ever told you that patience is a virtue?”
She pinned him with a glare so ferocious he nearly winced from the impact. “Has anyone ever told you that your behavior is tedious?”
His lips twitched. “Yes,” he replied in an amused tone. “You have. Several times in fact.”
“It bears repeating,” she said in a droll tone. “Now about the house party?”
Daniel shouldn’t have allowed this conversation to continue. He had ledgers to go through and expenditures to approve. Instead, he had decided to tease his sister a little, and the pain in his head continued to beat on. He rubbed his temples, but it didn’t help. Nothing seemed to ease the pain. Perhaps he should take a break. “All right,” he conceded. He had planned to, but his sister didn’t need to know that. “We can go. We will even leave early.” The dratted ledgers could wait until they returned. “Lindsey asked me to come before his wife’s family descended upon them. Have your maid pack your trunk. We will leave at dawn.”
She clapped her hands in excitement. “Have I ever told you that you are my favorite brother.”
He narrowed his gaze. “I am your only brother.”
“Then it is fortunate that I like you.” She stood. “Thank you,” she said in an earnest tone. “Christmas isn’t your favorite time of the year. I want you to know I do understand that.” She smiled. “It sounds as if the duke does too. Is that why he asked you to come early.” She tilted her head to the side. “Wait... If you already planned to go, why did you tell me no?”
He shook his head. “I was going to write to Lindsey and decline the invitation. I received his missive earlier today. I haven’t had time to respond.” His friends did know why he hated Christmas, but he doubted that was why Lindsey asked him to arrive early. “Instead, I’ll send it ahead of us so they know to expect our arrival.”
“Oh, all right,” she said absentmindedly. “Then I’ll let you finish your business and I’ll have Lucy start packing for me. I’ll see you later for the evening meal.”
After she left, Daniel blew out a breath. He closed the ledgers and organized his desk. With those tasks done, he left his study and went to his room. He would have to prepare to leave in the morning as well, but he would have to rest. Otherwise, his head pain would never go away...
Iris staredout of the window in the sitting room. She hated this time of the year. It used to be her favorite, but ever since last year and her little excursion on Scandal Lane, she had grown to dislike it. A lot. The Earl of Hampstead was a large part of that hate. For a few brief moments, she had thought everything would be perfect. The kiss had started out wonderful. Until it had all fallen apart before her eyes. She would never forget that look on his face. As if she were something distasteful, and he had to wipe that foulness from his mouth.
It had hurt so damn much...
He had tried to apologize at the ball. Had even danced with her. It was a waltz that had seemed as if it went on forever. If it had been pleasant, she would have liked that part. Instead, it had been awkward and unbearable. She had to pretend it was enjoyable, though. Her face had hurt from forcing herself to smile through the entire dance. Any conversation they’d had...well, it had been stilted and formal. Luckily, during the season the Earl of Hampstead had been absent. That part hadn’t surprised her. The earl didn’t attend social events as a rule. The ball she had planned during Christmastide was an exception. He had accepted the invitation well before the incident on Scandal Lane.
Next season though... His younger sister would have her come out, and then he would attend several social gatherings. He would have to escort her to them. She could not avoid him for much longer, and in that she was dreading the upcoming season. He would probably also be at the Christmastide house party her good friend, Francesca, the Duchess of Lindsey, was hosting. As much as Iris would like to attend the party, she would have to decline. If she went, she would be miserable the entire time.
She would spend Christmastide alone. It was for the best.
“Hello,” her sister, Violet, said as she entered the sitting room. “I’m glad you’re home.”
She turned to meet Violet’s gaze. “Where else would I be?” Her tone was monotone as she spoke.
Violet waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, I don’t know. Paying a call on someone.”
“The only ladies I visit are you and Francesca. As Francesca is in the country and you are here, I would think it obvious where you could find me.” Her bitterness was a sharp knife, and it couldn’t be contained. Even with the sister she adored. Violet was happily married, and sometime Iris didn’t think she understood how unhappy she had become. Her sister had a husband that adored her. They had their share of difficulties. The Marquess of Merrifield doted on Violet. Iris was glad for that. She wanted Violet to be happy. The problem was, it made her own unhappiness even more noticeable.
“You’re right,” Violet agreed, then sighed. “Please accept my apology. I had hoped that if I kept a light tone, it might help...”
“Brighten my dull spirits,” Iris finished for her. How could she be so bloody selfish? Her sister was trying to help her and Iris should be better. “I should be the one apologizing. Thank you for visiting.” Iris tried to keep her tone jovial, but it came out much less than that. “When do you depart for Lindsey?”
“In the morning,” Violet told her. “That is why I am here. I had hoped to change your mind.”
