“Well I, for one, think it is romantic.”
Joanna gazed dubiously at her sister. “This from the person who doesn’t believe in love?”
“I never said I didn’t believeinlove. I just don’t believe in marryingforlove unless it is financially beneficial.” Consulting her warlike assortment of beauty products and potions, Evie opened a tin of beeswax and used her fingertip to apply a light sheen to her lips. “The more I think about it, the more I thinkyou’rethe one who doesn’t believe in love. All these suitors you’ve had, and not a single one has ever made your heart flutter?”
“No,” Joanna said without hesitation.
“And what about Kincaid? Doeshemake your heart flutter?”
A blush warmed her cheeks. “He…he makes me tingle.”
Evie nodded approvingly. “Tingling is good.”
“Yes, but as I said, my highest priority is—”
“Finding the ring.” A dusting of rouge on her cheeks, and Evie stepped back to admire her reflection in the dressing mirror. “That’s another thing I’ve noticed about you, Jo. For all your impassioned speeches about unconditional love, you’ve always managed to come up with a litany of excuses to cut your suitors off before they even have the chance to prove themselves. Do you want to know what I think aboutthat?”
“Not really,” Joanna said grumpily, “but I have the feeling you’re going to tell me anyways.”
“I think you don’twantto fall in love.” Apparently satisfied with her appearance, Evie turned and regarded her sister with an arched brow. “Because yourrealhighest priority has always been me and Claire. You’ve raised us every bit as much as Grandmother has, and if you fell in love and got married, you’d have to leave us, andthat’swhy you’ve found a reason to dismiss every man who has ever attempted to court you.”
“That’s—that’s preposterous,” Joanna said, even as the truth of Evie’s words resonated somewhere deep inside of her like the low tolling of a church bell whose rippling sound could be heard from miles away. “I want to marry. And I will. When I meet the right man.”
“Is that man Kincaid?”
“No. Maybe. Most likely not.” If her corset had allowed it, she would have released a loud huff of breath. Instead she had to make do with a slow whistling hiss between her teeth. And a glare. “We didnotcome here to find husbands.”
“Speak for yourself,” Evie sniffed. “I’m going to meet mine tonight.”
Chapter Eight
“Is something thematter, Miss Thorncroft?”
Joanna peeked at Kincaid out of the corners of her eyes. It was the third time he’d asked her that question since they’d stepped into the long line of people waiting to enter the Gaiety Theater, and she still didn’t have an answer for him.
She couldn’t say nothing was wrong, for that would be a lie.
But neither could she say what wasreallybothering her. How could she possibly explain that she was afraid Evie was right? That she reallydidn’twant to fall in love. Not with Charles. Not with Kincaid.
Not with anyone.
“My sister and I had a disagreement. That’s all.” The line shuffled forward a few steps, with Joanna and Kincaid moving along with it. She slanted him another glance.
Positively dashing in a black tailcoat and royal blue ascot, the detective had slicked his hair back but forgotten to shave his jaw, leaving a shadow of dark scruff that gave him a rakish appearance she found secretly appealing.
If shewasgoing to fall in love, surely it would be with someone like Kincaid. Evie could keep her wealthy dukes and Claire her sweet, well-meaning butchers. Joanna would much rather have a man who knew what it was to live on the edge of danger. Who had seen and done things others couldn’t even imagine. Who was sharp and prickly around the edges, but still kind enough to help a complete stranger track down her mother’s stolen ring.
“Do you have any siblings, Kincaid?” she asked him.
“No,” he said in a clipped tone that invoked more questions than it did answers.
“I couldn’t imagine being an only child. My sisters and I argue more than we probably should, but when we get on we’re as close as three peas in a pod. I cannot remember the last time we’ve ever been separated.” She frowned. “Come to think of it, I don’t believe we ever have. At least not by an entire ocean.”
“How is your sister liking London?”
“Oh, Evie loves it. I invited her to accompany us tonight, but she’s already made fast friends with another one of the tenants at the boarding house and they’re going to a place called…” Joanna paused as she tried to remember the name. “Cremorne Gardens.”
Kincaid stopped short. “Thepleasuregarden?”
