“No, Aunt.”
“I’m not sure why you dress as you do, and perhaps I should have tried harder to change that. Lady Osborne told me I needed to step in and dress you as was befitting a beautiful young woman like you.”
She felt a twinge of guilt but pushed it back down. “I like the way I dress, Aunt.”
“I’m not sure why you would.” Thea wrinkled her nose. “You look like a dormouse.”
“Thank you, I rather like dormice.” Ivy smiled.
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
They walked outside, bickering, and into a bright, warm day.
The grounds of Nightingale Hall were spectacular. She’d managed to slip outside yesterday and wander a few of the paths and had found the fruit trees Mr. Nightingale said his preserves were made from.
“Left-hand path,” her uncle said, and they headed that way.
Ivy fell behind to inhale the scent of some roses as Thea chatted with her parents. Taking off a glove, she brushed a soft petal.
“Miss Birdwhistle.”
Looking over her shoulder, she found Miss Letitia Burrows with her mother.
“Hello,” Ivy said, tugging her glove back on. She then increased her pace to catch up with her family.
“Your cousin is to be commended, dear Miss Birdwhistle,” Miss Burrows said.
“I shall call her, and you can tell her yourself,” Ivy said.
“Do you not wish to know what for?”
“Of course.” Ivy forced her lips into a tight smile.
“She looks exactly as a young lady stepping into society should. I wonder that you don’t take her lead, my dear Miss Birdwhistle?” Her smile was insincere.
Ivy had both a temper and a sharp tongue; she just rarely used them.
“After all, I am unsure any man will not look upon you as a future wife dressed as you are.” Miss Burrows’s smile turned pitying.
Her mother smiled but added nothing to the conversation.
Ivy looked around to check no one was close enough to hear her words.
“Thank you for your concern, which I’m sure your mother shares, dear Miss Burrows. After all, this is your third season, and still no match. I fear we are both destined to live our lives without husbands.”
“I have had offers!”
“Of course you have.” Ivy’s smile was insincere.
“Come along, Ivy.” Thea had returned for her and was holding out her hand. She acknowledged the two other women with a nod. Taking Ivy’s hand, she tucked it into the crook of her arm.
“Did they say something to you?”
“No.”
“You’re flushed. Don’t lie to me, Ivy.”
“It’s nothing.”
