Calliope laughed and interjected, “That was your first mistake. No one ever beats Araminta at whist. Our father was proficient at the game and taught her every single trick.”
With that, he turned his blue gaze back on the object of his desire. “And here I thought we were friends, Lady Araminta. It appears I shall have to be more cautious in the future when it comes to any sort of recreational activity. Who knows? You might intentionally trod upon my toes at a ball.”
Araminta clasped her hands before her. “Only if you deserved it.”
Her breath caught when he winked at her right before he walked out the door.
However, the slight warmth she was feeling quickly changed when Isadora walked over to sit in the spot the earl had just vacated. “What’s going on, Minty?”
“Nothing.” She shrugged. Although, rather than meeting her sister’s knowing gaze, she began to carefully gather up the cards that were still strewn about the table.
“I think shelikeshim,” Calliope piped up in a singsong voice.
Araminta rolled her eyes, but she decided the safest approach to this discussion was to give a portion of the truth. The rest, she didn’t yet care to divulge to herself. “Lord Somers is very amenable. After what he did for Olivia today, I daresay I owe him a debt of gratitude.”
“It didn’t look like meregratitudeI was witnessing when I walked in,” Isadora pointed out.
“That’s because you only look at things how you want to see them,” Araminta snapped, losing the thread on her patience as she stood. “Rest assured there is nothing between the earl and I other than a polite acquaintance. I fully intend to live life on my own terms. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long afternoon and I wish to retire.”
Araminta didn’t wait for her elder sister to reply and ignored the smug expression Calliope wore as she munched on another biscuit.
As she reached the sanctity of her bedchamber, she shut the door and closed her eyes. It was only in private that she allowed herself to think of the earl. Here she could fantasize about him without any inhibitions. There had been a moment before they had begun their card game when she thought he was about to kiss her and she wondered what she would have done if he had. She bit her lip, for something told her that she wouldn’t have pushed him away, but drawn him closer.
She put a hand to her forehead as she began to pace about the room. She couldn’t be falling for the earl! It must be the romantic aspect of the Christmas season that was getting under her skin, rather than any true feelings of love tugging at her heartstrings. To believe otherwise would ruin everything that she’d planned for herself. She would lose her freedom, her veryidentityas a woman if she married, for that would allow her husband to take control of not just her finances, but her livelihood.
Araminta shook her head. While she was becoming rather fond of Lord Somers, she would draw the line at anything going further between them.
She snorted ironically, for she’d told herself that very thing just this morning, but following Olivia’s accident, she hadn’t been worried about safeguarding her emotions, concern for her sister’s welfare at the forefront of her mind.
Henceforth, she wouldn’t make any further errors in judgment.
Six
The next morning a note was sent over from Dr. Haimlin with the good news that Olivia could be released from his care. Araminta, along with Isadora and Calliope, headed over to the clinic to gather their youngest sibling. When they walked into her room, they were overjoyed to see that she was sitting up and looked perfectly healthy.
“Oh, Livy!” Tears stung Araminta’s eyes as the harrowing incident from the day before struck her, and she realized how different things could be right now.
“Don’t cry, Minty,” that sweet voice replied. She reached out a hand and Araminta grasped it with both of hers. The warmth that radiated from her sister’s palm made her eyes flood with even more moisture.
“I can’t help it, dearest. I was so afraid when I realized that you had fallen through the ice.”
Olivia smiled gently. “I’m just sorry I lost my skates.”
Araminta laughed. “I will buy you ten pair for Christmas!”
“Ooh! Look at all the flowers!”
Araminta glanced at Calliope, who was standing by a large bouquet of white lilies. She withdrew the card and read, “Wishing you a quick recovery. Signed the Earl of Somers.” A red brow lifted smugly at Araminta as she replaced the note and moved to the bouquet of yellow roses and plucked out the next card. “Hmm. There’s nothing written, but it’s signed Gravesend.”
“The duke,” Isadora murmured, and exchanged a glance with Araminta. She knew what her sister was thinking, that he would be a lovely prospect for Olivia.
“I don’t really recall him,” Olivia said quietly.
Isadora moved forward. “Perhaps you’ll have a chance to reacquaint yourself with each other sooner than you think. His mother is in charge of the Christmas Eve ball.” She smiled gently. “That is, if you’re feeling up to it by then. I shouldn’t wish to rush your recovery and cause a setback.”
Olivia nodded, but said nothing more on the matter.
Isadora brought forth the dress they had procured from her wardrobe, and together they helped Olivia into the mauve gown. Calliope moved forward and threaded her arm through hers. “Let’s get you home. I daresay I’m eager to catch you up on the latest London gossip.”
