Could she have misjudged his character all along? But there was what Wick had said about him. What sort of man would force his brother into an unhappy marriage to correct his own mistakes? Yet Carlisle was clearly concerned for his brother’s welfare. Thunder and turf, he wasconcealing evidenceto protect Wick.
She couldn’t reconcile these facts. Clearly, she didn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle. She resolved to ferret out the truth at the first opportunity.
“Breathe out,” Thea said.
Air whooshed from Vi’s lungs as her sister knotted the corset strings.
“So tell me more about Lord Carlisle,” Thea said. “It sounds as if things have changed between the two of you.”
Crumbs.Her emotions already felt raw and exposed; she didn’t know if she wanted to share them. “Um, changed?”
Emma jumped in. “Before the party, you couldn’t stand him—and understandably, given the gossip he’d started. But now the two of you seem as thick as thieves. In the study this morning, Carlisle appeared inordinately protective of you and concerned for your well-being.”
Em’s observation gave Vi a little thrill. She was beginning to see that perhaps her judgement hadn’t always been sound when it came to Carlisle. It was comforting to have her sister’s opinion. Hmm, maybe she ought to try confiding a little more.
Testing the waters, she ventured, “What if I said Carlisle’s not as bad as I once believed?”
“What changed your mind?” Em said.
His kisses… how kind he can be… the fact that we’re presently concealing evidence together?
“I think he and I got off on the wrong foot,” she said.
Em’s brows lifted. “That’s it? A simple case of misunderstanding?”
If she wanted her sisters’ advice on relationship matters, she couldn’t furnish them with half-truths. They needed to know how she and Carlisle had started off.
She sighed inwardly.Time to face the firing squad.
“Do you remember the Yuletide ball where Carlisle fell into the fountain? He, um, sort of... had some help. From me.” Her breath held as she awaited their response.
Thea paused in the adjusting of petticoats to look at Emma. “You were right after all.”
Instead of looking surprised, Em looked pleased with herself. “It wasn’t difficult to deduce.”
Vi stared at her siblings. “You mean youknewthe entire time that I was responsible for Carlisle’s fall?”
“Well, not for certain,” Em said. “But I guessed.”
“How?”
“Let’s face it, dear, you were never good at prevaricating. Your accounting of your time at the Yuletide ball was always a bit suspect, and there were those champagne stains on your gown.” Her sister’s tone was dry. “Then there was the way you leapt to Carlisle’s defense when we were making light of the accident. It smacked of guilt.”
“I was that obvious?” Vi muttered.
“Only to someone who knows you.” Em canted her head. “Why didn’t you just tell us what happened, dear?”
Vi studied her toes. “I was embarrassed. And I didn’t want you to be cross at me, Em.”
“Why would I be cross?” Her sister sounded puzzled.
“Because you’re always reminding me to act less like a hoyden. To curb my behavior.” Vi hitched her shoulders in a self-deprecating shrug. “You know, to be less, well,me.”
“But that’s not true. I want you to be you. I’m just worried that—”
“I know you have my best interests at heart,” Vi said quickly. “It’s just that sometimes I can’t help being who I am.”
“Who else would you be?” A notch formed between Emma’s brows. “Theton—it’s not a forgiving place, and I don’t want you to get hurt. But neither do I want you to change the essence of who you are.”
