Joanna nodded.
“We don’t really…that is to say, our social circles don’t intersect with any sort of regularity. Probably due to the fact that mine is shaped more like a square.” She smiled apologetically. “Rest assured that you are going to be far more popular than I. People don’t tend to notice plain.”
“You’re not plain,” Joanna protested. “Is she, Evie?”
“I’ve seen worse,” said Evie. For her, it was a very high compliment indeed.
“It’s all right,” Rosemary said with a shrug. “I don’t mind. Truth be told, there are many good things about being a wallflower. No one ever notices when I go back for thirds at the sweets table. And I’d much rather read a book than remember the steps to a waltz.”
“Reading ismuchmore important than dancing,” Joanna agreed. She hesitated, and then asked, “What does he look like, my half-brother? I have been trying to conjure an image of him in my mind, and….” Her hands lifted in the air. “I cannot.”
“He’sveryhandsome,” Rosemary said at once. Then she gasped, and covered her mouth as another pink blush stole across her cheeks. “I shouldn’t have said that. You’re his sister. I mean, his half-sister. I mean, his—”
“It is all right,” Joanna said gently. “Please do not feel flustered on my account.”
Evie perked up. “Handsome, did you say?”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Joanna muffled a snort as she noted the calculating gleam in Evie’s eyes. “He’s mybrother. Surely you can set your sights on someone else. Anyone else, really.”
“He is yourhalf-brother. With absolutely no relation to me.Andhe is an earl.”
“I was under the impression you wanted a duke.”
“If I could find one, I’d happily marry him. Until then…tell us more about the Earl of Hawkridge,” Evie ordered Rosemary, who bit her lip.
“Well…” their cousin began. “He is quite tall. And he has black hair, unlike his sister—”
“He has a sister?” Joanna interrupted. “Ihave a sister?”
Kincaid had failed to mention that part.
Then again, he’d failed at a lot of things.
“Yes. Lady Brynne. They’re twins.”
Weston and Brynne.
Evie and Claire.
As Joanna shook her head in disbelief, she struggled to wrap her mind around the idea that her number of siblings had just doubled.
“How long are you planning to be in London?” asked Rosemary. “There’s so much I’d like to show you. Are you staying through Christmas?”
Evie glanced at Joanna, whose gaze fell to her lap as a sharp pang resounded within her chest.
“We’re leaving soon,” she said, drawing a circle around her knee. “Most likely within the next day or two.”
“But you cannot,” said Rosemary, positively aghast. “You’ll miss the Countess of Beresford’s birthday celebration. She’s throwing an enormous ball.Everyonewill be in attendance.”
Joanna’s pulse leapt. She knew that name; Kincaid had spoken it in the park before he’d stomped on her heart. Her half-brother was going to be at the ball. As well as Kincaid, and maybe even the ring. “Did you say the Countess of Beresford?”
Evie gripped her chair. “Did you sayball?”
“It’s going to be an absolute crush,” said Rosemary. Then she frowned. “I am not looking forward to it, if I were being honest. As I said, I am not exceedingly popular.” Her nose wrinkled. “People find me odd. I think it is the squirrel.”
“I don’t think you’re odd at all,” Joanna declared, and she meant it. Rosemary may have been a tad shy and awkward, but that’s what made her so endearing. They’d only just met, and already Joanna had the feeling they were going to be good friends.
Unfortunately, it seemed Evie had a different opinion in regards to Rosemary’s unique charm.
