"Right. You're just doing this for the aesthetic experience." Sophie's voice was dry. "Hold still."
Sasha thought about questioning what Sophie knew about getting laid, but decided that it was probably none of her business.
Ambrose had appointed himself hairstylist, which mainly involved him pulling out Cathy's braid and running his fingers through her curls while making thoughtful humming noises.
"You have gorgeous hair," he announced. "Why do you always hide it?"
"Because loose hair and gardening don't mix. I'd spend half my time pulling leaves out of it."
"Well, today you're not gardening. Today you're seducing my idiot brother." He fluffed her curls with surprising gentleness. "There. Perfect."
Twenty minutes later, Sasha had to admit they'd created something remarkable. Cathy stood in front of the mirror, looking simultaneously gorgeous and deeply uncomfortable.Her dark curls fell in soft waves around her face, the green dress brought out the color in her eyes, and Sophie's subtle makeup made her look luminous.
"I look ridiculous," Cathy said.
"You look stunning," Sophie corrected. "Archie's an idiot, but even he can't miss this."
"And if he does, I'll hit him with a shovel," Ambrose added cheerfully.
"That's very supportive, thank you."
"What are gay brothers for if not to interfere in my sibling’s love life?" He squeezed her shoulder. "Now come on. Before you lose your nerve and put your work clothes back on."
They engineered the meeting carefully. Ambrose reported that Archie was in the library, mercifully alone after Cassandra had departed that morning in a huff about "people who don't appreciate vision." Sasha and Sophie positioned themselves as lookouts while Cathy, looking like she might bolt at any second, was given a gentle shove toward the library door.
"Wait." Cathy grabbed Sasha's arm. "What do I even say?"
"Hello would be a start," Sophie suggested.
"Very helpful."
"Just be yourself," Sasha said. "The dressed-up, not-covered-in-soil version of yourself."
"What if he laughs?"
"Then I'll absolutely hit him with a shovel," Ambrose promised. "A very large shovel. Possibly one that’s on fire."
Cathy took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and walked into the library with the air of someone approaching the gallows.
Sasha counted to thirty, then peered around the doorframe.
Archie had looked up from his book. He'd registered Cathy's presence. His eyes had widened. He'd opened his mouth as if to speak.
And then, inexplicably, his face had gone bright red and he'd looked down at his book like it contained the secrets of the universe.
"Archie, I just—" Cathy began, her voice uncertain.
"Right, yes, very nice," Archie said, still not looking at her. His ears were now approximately the color of beetroot. "You look… that is… excuse me, I've just remembered something urgent. Very urgent. Life or death, probably."
He practically fled the room, nearly taking out a side table in his haste, leaving Cathy standing there looking like she'd been slapped.
Sasha, Ambrose, and Sophie stared after him in collective bewilderment.
"Did he just…" Sophie began.
"Run away?" Ambrose finished. "Yes. Yes, he did. From a woman. Who looks like that." He gestured at Cathy. "I'm disowning him. Can you disown siblings? There must be a form."
"Maybe he really did remember something urgent?" Sasha tried.
