Elise’s face was a mask of hard lines, and not a particularly beautiful one. “I wouldn’t want to see a child drowned, but Dara didn’t have to accept his proposal. Not if she lovedme.”
She sounded pouty, because she was so hurt. Dara understood. “I do love you, Elise. You are my sister. I alsohaven’taccepted his offer—”
“It appeared to me you had accepted it,” Elise lashed back. “He even announced it to us.”
Dara ignored her anger to finish her thought. “Tomorrow I will speak with him. I will say that I’m sorry, but I can’t marry him.”
“Then he’ll run from all of us,” Elise said sadly. “Do you not see the situation he is in? He believes he is saving you. And even if you refuse him, you have ruined it for me. He’ll not have me now.”
“Elise, I love you,” Dara pleaded. “You are more important to me than any man.”
“Oh, no, Dara, the only thing important to you is your precious scheme. That weallmarry.”
Dara’s temper reignited. Her nerves were stretched thin, and she was willing to do what she could to please her sister, except have Elise continue to attack her. “That charge isnottrue. We all agreed—”
Tweedie threw her book on the floor with enough force it sounded like a door slamming.“Stop this bickering. It is beneath all of you.”
The three sisters turned to stare at their little aunt, who was practically shaking with anger. “Elise, I was here when Mr. Brogan brought Dara back to us after the drowning incident. He had nothing but admiration for Dara. And even though you three tease me about my frequentbouts of closing my eyes, I do watch what is going on in this house. Yes, Mr. Brogan has looked at you with what I will call ‘hot’ eyes—”
“Hot eyes?” Elise repeated as if offended.
“He had that heated look men, or stallions, take on when they see an attractive filly. Where they snort and paw the ground.”
“Gentlemen don’t do that,” Elise said.
“They do, my dear, they do,” Tweedie assured her. “However, it takes more than hot eyes and longing looks to convince a man to take a wife. I’m surprised you haven’t learned that by now.”
“But he hasn’t ever paid any attention to Dara before.”
“Do you realize how spoiled you sound? Mind your manners, girl.” Tweedie didn’t wait for a response but continued, “And he has paid plenty of attention to your sister.”
“Only because she bickers with him.”
“Sometimes bickering isn’t what it seems on the surface. There is more than looks to attraction. I should know. I’ve had three husbands, and that is three more than any of you have had, even all together. Mr. Brogan knew what he was doing this afternoon. Hewantedto ask for Dara’s hand.”
Elise’s lower lip started to tremble, and Dara yearned to put her arms around her. Gwendolyn wasn’t so moved. She shot Dara a look warning her to stay right where she was.
“I’ve never met a man I’ve admired as much and Ineverwill,” Elise said.
“Pshaw,” Tweedie declared. “One day you will meet someone who cares more about your character than your looks, and that man will beworthyof you. And who knows? He might be a duke. Or a prince. Or a king. Or aditchdigger. That is the fun of life. We never know what is coming.”
“I thought Ihadfound the man worthy of me,” Elise confessed in a small voice before being interrupted by a knock at the door. She released her breath with a heavy sigh. “Finally.”
“Finally what?” Gwendolyn asked.
Herald appeared from wherever he had been discreetly hiding. He moved around the sisters to open the door. Instead of a servant, Lady Whitby was there. She stepped inside, took a pitying look at the sisters, and then murmured, “I will wait on the step.”
“You don’t have to wait. I’m coming,” Elise answered. Waving Herald away, she picked up her valise, moved to the door, and then paused, addressing her sisters. “Lady Whitby has kindly offered to let me stay with her. I need a bit of distance from all of this. I’m certain you understand.” She looked directly at Dara and whispered, “I can’t share the same house with you, let alone the same room. It hurts.” On those words, she was out the door.
“Elise,” Dara started, wanting to call her back, to have her see reason, but her sister was down the step and following Lady Whitby into her coach.
Gwendolyn came to Dara’s side and put her arm around her. They watched the coach drive away. Elise didn’t even glance out the window at them.
“This isn’t your fault,” Gwendolyn said.
“No, it isn’t,” Tweedie agreed heartily. She had joined them in the doorway.
“I must make it right.” Dara looked at her loved ones. “I never said yes. I never accepted his proposal.”
