Okay....
Haven probed her brain for careful words.
“How long do you and your brother plan to stay?” Another simple question, but she actually cared about the answer—the siblings were walking, talking, staring weirdness that never failed to make Haven anxious. Just thinking about the brother, and how he stared, and how he just seemed to…breathe wrongness made Haven’s heartbeat stumble a little.
She didn’t want to spend the time wondering why, either.
“We haven’t decided,” Divinia replied. “When we first arrived, we planned to stay only through the Season, but withthe Season ending, we may stay on. Aunt Melisande is renowned for her country parties.”
Glancing over at the pinch-faced woman chatting with Millie, Haven thought the statement dubious.
“I bet she does.” Tired of the pleasant words with heavy undertones, she took a risk. “Are you and your brother close?”
At the mention of her twin, Divinia’s expression changed. An invisible shield dropped over her gaze, and she clinched her jaw.
“Yes, of course, we are twins after all.” Her lips pressed together in a sneer.
“So you would know if he had a problem with me, if something about me bothered him.”
The other woman laughed, the sound close enough to maniacal, Haven breath caught.
“My brother is bothered by many things, but you are not one of them. He likes you.” A glint of something insidious flashed in the other woman’s eyes, and Haven immediately raised her guard.
The female twin was hiding something, but Haven didn’t have a clue what it could be.
He likes you….
Unsure of how to digest the nugget of shudder-inducing information, she said, “Well, that’s nice.”
Since meeting the Kroger twins, she couldn’t shake the feeling of wrongness whenever they were around. While Divinia was an easy read, like a large print book, her brother was the fine print on a prenuptial agreement. He was gorgeous, probably quite charming, and had an accent that would make Elleane turn to pudding at his feet. But something about him, his coolness, his calculated conversations, and his furtive looks made her uneasy.
She shuddered despite the warmth of the day.
To put distance between them, Haven begged her excuses and walked to Millie and Lady Bleydon. “Pardon me, but where is the...er...water closet?”
Millie replaced her teacup on the tray, and smiled. “These corridors are a maze, why don’t I show you?”
Panic coursed through her; she needed time alone. Time to chew on everything she’d been force fed over the last twenty-four hours.
“Oh, no, maybe I can ask a servant to help me.”
Millie smiled brighter, her expression gracious. “Nonsense, dear. It’s no trouble.”
Before she could grudgingly accept Millie’s offer, another less appreciated voice piped up. “You should enjoy your tea and conversation, Lady Dunham. I can take her.”
Turning to glance at Divinia, Haven was immediately struck with a sense of intent—it poured from the perfectly coiffed woman in waves.
Unable to deny the help without shaming Millie, Haven swallowed thickly, and accepted.
Chapter Fifty-Four
The water closet, basically a tiny bathroom without running water, was a few doors down from the parlor.
Done with her business, Haven emerged into the hallway and froze. Divinia was still there, hands behind her back, gaze focused on her, smile wide and chilling.
A prickling danced over her nerves.
“Thank you for showing me the way. I needed to freshen up.”
