“Because we didn’t actually meet. Revelstoke was on the other side of the hedge with the others. And he said some… unpleasant things.” Polly’s throat clenched. “About me.”
“I don’t understand. How could he say such things if he doesn’t know you?”
“Well, he didn’t say them aboutme, as such,” she was forced to admit. She related the incident in its mortifying entirety. When she was done, she was trembling.
Rosie said, “Oh, Pols,” and wrapped her in a hug. As she soaked in the comfort of her sister’s embrace, the other went on, “I’m so sorry you were subjected to that cruelty, I truly am. But you oughtn’t take Revelstoke’s words to heart, nor blame him for them.”
Polly jerked. That was thelastresponse she’d expected.
Pulling back, she whispered, “Pardon?”
“When gentlemen are around one another, they say stupid things,” Rosie explained. “And do stupid things. It’s how they prove their manhood.”
“By being… stupid?”
“Precisely. Now I’m not excusing that wretched Brockhurst or his friends, but Revelstoke wasn’t part of the wager, was he?”
“No, but what hesaid—”
“He likely just said it to shut Brockhurst up. I daresay it’s tiresome to have bucks constantly trying to join his herd,” Rosie said complacently. “At any rate, his comment was in reference to some anonymous wallflower. I’m sure he wouldn’t have said it if he knewyouwere the girl in question.”
“But that’s not the point! A true gentleman wouldn’t say such things aboutanygirl. He’d defend her honor and—”
“Pols, I hate to say this, but you are far too sensitive for your own good.”
Her breath whooshed from her as if she’d been punched.
“The world is not a perfect place,” her sister said matter-of-factly, “and neither of us are as naïve as we once were. Which means we must make the best of our situations. For you, that means getting over the business with Brockhurst—and by that I don’t mean setting your cap for the likes of Nigel Pickering-Parks. You need to pull your head out of the sand, dearest, and see yourself as you truly are. You won’t be happy until you do. As for me, I need respectability and status—which being a countess, and, eventually, a duchess will give me in spades. Therefore, Revelstoke is the answer tomyhappiness.”
Polly felt as if her insides had been scrubbed with sandpaper, the other’s observations leaving her raw. And that was before Rosie poured on the acid.
“Since Revelstoke is to be my husband, could you find it in yourself to be nicer to him? You were rather ungracious when he so thoughtfully gave you a gift,” she said.
At the chastising tone, Polly could hold back her frustration no more.
“Because that gift wasn’t meant for me,” she burst out, “and it most definitely did not belong to his mother! He was lying. I could see it in his aura.”
“I suspected as much,” Rosie breathed, her glow… delighted? “He probably brought that locket formebut gave it toyoubecause he felt badly about interrupting your birthday party. Oh, isn’t he gallant?”
Polly didn’t think she could feel further humiliated… but she was wrong apparently. Her sister’s explanation made perfect sense. It also made her feel as if she’d been entered in a contest of pity against her willandhanded the consolation prize.
To the fat, peculiar wallflower goes the locket…
“I don’t want it,” she said flatly. “Since it was meant for you, you take it.”
“No, you keep it, dear. I’m sure Revelstoke will have other gifts for me in the future.” Aglow with hope, Rosie danced to her feet. “Now you’ll think about what I’ve said, won’t you?”
Utterly deflated, Polly could only nod.
“Excellent, because I’ve exhausted my supply of seriousness for the entire year.” Rosie flashed a saucy grin. “Now I must get my beauty rest if I’m to look my best for the earl.” At the door, she paused. “And dearest?”
“Yes?”
“Once things are settled with Revelstoke, we’ll find you a proper husband too.”
“I don’t need—”
But Rosie was already gone.
