Of course she overslept to an appallingly late hour. She barely made it downstairs in time to join the family for lunch. Kathleen raised a brow at her the moment she entered the room, but she didn’t offer an excuse for her tardiness. But Emily pressed her for one.
So she shrugged. “I kept thinking about my fiancé, which kept me awake half the night.”
“Because he showed so much interest in me?” Emily said with a coy smile.
What a little cat!Vanessa thought. And she couldn’t even tell if Emily was serious or just trying to get even after their fight yesterday. Daniel had left the ball last night directly after returning Emily to Kathleen. He may have thought his mother couldn’t complain after he’d danced with all three Blackburn sisters. But Vanessa had been disappointed that she hadn’t gotten a second go at him.
“We had a little spat,” she told Emily. “I assumed he danced with you merely to make me jealous, but if not, do feel free to add him to your list, since you apparently want every bloody man in London on it.”
Emily’s cheeks turned red, even more so when Kathleen exclaimed, “Good God, I am appalled by such bickering! You three will not leave this room until you patch up whatever has turned you into vixens. I expect you to be on your best behavior at the dinner party I’m giving tomorrow night. The Rathbans and the Harris family are coming among others—yes, I know you favor the Harris boy, Layla,” she added when Layla smiled, but she was still angry enough to add, “This bickering willnotbe in attendance.”
Kathleen marched out of the room to show just how displeased she was. Silence followed her departure. Emily pouted. Layla glanced anxiously between them. Vanessa wasn’t sure anything could mend this fence.
And then the innocent in their little feud said, “Emily met someone new last night that she likes better’n Monty.”
“Monty shouldn’t be on anyone’s list,” Vanessa reminded them. “He’s not looking for a wife.”
Annoyingly, Emily said, “I’d like to keep him on mine anyway. I have a long list.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Exactly the problem, Em. How many of those men did Layla like more’n you? Or does she continue to only be allowed your leftovers?”
“I made a concession!”
“That you like someone better than Monty? D’you really call that a concession? Take a good look at how selfish you are and fix it, before you end up ruining your twin’s Season.”
Emily glared at Vanessa. And then incredibly, Layla remarked, “I suppose she did deserve that.”
“Indeed,” Vanessa said, and as if Emily were no longer there, added, “But you can tell her I’m inviting you both to join me for a ride after lunch.”
“So you are forgiving her?”
“You can imply as much, though she won’t hear it from my lips.”
Layla grinned. Emily suddenly giggled. It was an old tactic the girls had used growing up, when one of them was annoyed with another. And it was a nice reminder that they had always settled their disagreements.
Having had her say and feeling much better for it, Vanessa picked up a sausage from the platter, stood, and pointed it to the door. “I’m not actually hungry. Shall we?”
They left the dining room together just as Mr. Rickles was letting someone in. The twins squealed in delight and greeted the man with hugs. Vanessa approached more slowly when she saw it was an old family friend, Peter Wright, but also greeted him warmly. His presence and the twins’ reaction to him made her guess that he’d kept up his visits with the family over the years, perhaps as a favor to William. Many letters from Peter had been delivered to her father in Scotland, forwarded by William’s solicitor.
He seemed surprised to see her there. “How lovely you turned out, Nessa. I’m not sure I would recognize you if I saw you somewhere other than here. Are the three of you enjoying your long-awaited Season?”
“It’s been wonderful so far,” Layla said.
“So many young men in attendance,” Emily added.
“More than enough to go around I hope?” he teased.
What a touchy subject! Yet Vanessa grinned. “Possibly.”
But Emily added, “With Nessa already engaged to Daniel Rathban, there are.”
Emily wasn’t being catty this time, Vanessa realized. Still she groaned to herself, well aware that Peter had been William’s second at that fateful duel with the youngest Rathban brother.
He looked displeased by the news and baldly stated, “Whatever for?”
Vanessa pretended to be surprised by his reaction. “You must be joking. He’s a very handsome man.”
That didn’t change his expression and he said to her, “Might we have a word?”
