Danger bells sounded in Veronica’s head. Justin was up to something. She could feel it. He liked nothing better than to rile her.
“You are still considered newlyweds, are you not?” Justin continued, turning first to Veronica, then to Sebastian, and blinking innocently at them.
“No, not at all,” Veronica replied, doing her best to keep a false smile pinned to her lips for Grandpapa’s sake. “We’ve been married for over two years. I’m certain there’s nothing interesting we can tell you. Our lives are quite dull. Aren’t they, Sebastian?” She finished with an edge to her voice, warning her husband to answer in the affirmative before she took a sip of wine.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Sebastian replied, settling back into his chair as if he relished the conversation. “I’d say our married life of late has been more interesting.”
Veronica choked on her wine. A coughing fit ensued that forced Sebastian to slap her on the back. The moment she’d regained her composure, she swiftly kicked his leg under the table.
“Ouch.” Sebastian leaned down to rub his leg, wincing.
Meanwhile, Veronica gave her brother a look intended to indicate he’d be kicked next if he didn’t quickly change the subject.
“If you’ve nothing to report,” Justin replied with an innocent smile, “then perhaps Grandpapa and Grandmama may answer my questions.”
“What would you like to know, dear?” Grandmama asked in her sweet, cheerful voice, her dark eyes sparkling.
“I’m curious,” Justin replied. “What do you find to be the secret to such a long and clearly happy marriage?”
Grandmama smiled and laughed. “Oh, well, first, it hasn’t been happy every day. That I can assure you. But most days we’re quite content, wouldn’t you say, Arthur?”
“Best decision I ever made, asking your grandmother to marry me,” Grandpapa replied, lifting his glass in a salute to his wife.
A lump formed in Veronica’s throat and a smile touched her lips. Her grandparents were lovely. They deserved their happiness. Too bad it was too late for her and Sebastian.
“Yes, but what’s the secret?” Justin prodded. “What advice can you offer those of us who’ve yet to reach such a milestone?”
Grandmama’s brow creased as she appeared to contemplate the question for a moment. “I suppose listening to one another and admitting when we are each wrong have been instrumental in our happiness. It doesn’t hurt that I still find your grandfather as handsome as the day I met him.” She glanced over at her husband with a decided twinkle in her eye.
“I feel the same,” Grandpapa replied, winking at his wife. “I would also add that keeping a sense of humor helps quite a bit.”
“Ah, so listening to each other and keeping your humor,” Justin replied, lifting a spoonful of soup to his lips. Once he’d swallowed, he continued, “Would you also say trust was important?”
Veronica clenched her jaw. She turned to give Justin another tight smile. He wasn’t fooling her. She knew precisely what he was doing.
“Oh, yes,” Grandmama replied. “Trust is of the utmost importance.”
“Trust, even when things look bad?” Justin prodded, blinking innocently.
“Especially then,” Grandpapa added.
Sebastian cleared his throat. “You should tell your granddaughter. I’ve found she is quite mistrustful.”
Veronica swung her leg to deliver another swift kick to Sebastian’s, but found that he’d already moved it. He grinned at her in triumph.
She cleared her throat and lifted her chin. “I believe fidelity is important as well. Would you not say, Grandmama?”
Grandmama began nodding. “Yes, dear, ever so important. I know many ladies of the ton aren’t concerned with such things, but I could not have endured infidelity.”
“What’s infidelity?” Jessica piped up.
“Never you mind, dear,” Mama replied to the girl, while Veronica and her mother exchanged a look.
“Surely, fidelity goes hand-in-hand with trust, though, doesn’t it?” Justin asked Grandmama.
That was it. Veronica had had enough of her brother’s needling. Before Grandmama had a chance to reply, Veronica turned to her brother and said, “I’m pleased to see you taking such an interest in marriage, Justin. I daresay you should think about your own marital prospects. You are the Whitmore heir, after all.” Veronica finished with an extremely smug smile on her face, directed squarely at her brother.
“Yes,” Mama interjected with a firm nod. “Your sister makes an excellent point.”
