Hyacinth didn’t bother mentioning that she and all of her sisters were in much the same straights before their eldest sister married a duke.
“She’s also the cousin of Lord Collier, who is apparently a longtime friend of Sir Tristan’s. They went to university together.”
Tristan had mentioned that about the lady he’d followed into the garden—her cousin had asked him to dance with her.
“Goodness, you gathered quite a bit of information in one evening.”
Marigold shot her a cat-in-the-cream smile. “People are more than willing to gossip.” She shrugged. “And everyoneaccepts that debutantes will be curious about the Season’s bachelors.”
“So he’ll pursue and probably marry her.” A hollowness seemed to settle into Hyacinth’s chest at the pronouncement.
Marigold scoffed. “Who are you and where is my sister? Hyacinth Bridewell would never give up so easily.”
“If I care about him, I should want him to be happy.”
Marigold stood from the opposite settee and moved to a chair near where Hyacinth sat.
“He danced one dance with her, Cinth, and one with you. Then you spent time to talking to him in the garden, which she didn’t do.”
Something must have flickered in Hyacinth’s eyes because Marigold’s brows arched.
“What is it?”
“I followed him into the garden.”
Marigold’s eyes danced with merriment. “Did you indeed? That’s the Hyacinth I know.”
Hyacinth resisted rolling her eyes, but the teasing was lifting her spirits more than she was willing to admit.
“He was following someone else. Now I suspect it was Lady Felicia.”
“But he found you instead.” Marigold smiled brightly. “That sounds a bit like fate to me.”
Hyacinth tried to smile too, but she didn’t feel it.
Was Tristan set on pursuing Lady Felicia?
Marigold took up her teacup again and sipped thoughtfully before giving Hyacinth an odd look.
“What are you thinking?”
Marigold lifted a shoulder. “Only that it was the last ball of the Season and neither of us received a proposal of marriage. By Society’s standards, we’re failed debutantes.”
Hyacinth chuckled and Marigold followed suit.
“Well, unlike me, you put off half a dozen potential suitors.” Hyacinth studied her twin’s profile. “Why did you?”
“There were gentlemen who showed an interest. That is true.” She placed a palm against her chest. “But no one touched my heart. None of them made me feel as if I couldn’t do without them. That’s what I’m looking for.”
Marigold reached for Hyacinth’s hand and squeezed her fingers. “That’s what we both deserve.”
Hyacinth squeezed back, but she couldn’t help but wonder what happened whenshefelt precisely that way about someone, but her feelings were not reciprocated. What then?
A housemaid entered the sitting room. “Pardon, misses, there are visitors to see Miss Hyacinth.”
Marigold got to her feet, brows furrowed. “Are you prepared to see visitors?”
“Yes, of course.”
