“Once you are confident you can tell us apart,” the twin with the red stickpin now sounded just like Tim.
Then the other finished his thought in the same voice, “Please place your guess in the basin Lady Sampson has so thoughtfully provided.” He gestured to where a large bowl sat on a sideboard, a stack of paper and a quill sitting next to it.
After the men finished explaining the game, Lord Sampson invited everyone to join him in the dining room. It was not a large party, only sixteen place settings on the table, and the Linfield twins were the center of everything.
Throughout dinner, the game continued. People disregarded the normal patterns of dinner companions to converse with both men, and to discuss their opinions openly with other guests. Mr. Joseph Aldridge even broke the rules and attempted to ask about Blackthorne Park, but only received a “tsk, tsk” in response from the brother in the green stickpin.
Both brothers switched personas so fluidly that it was fascinating to watch. One moment the one would sound like Oliver, and the next moment they would switch. And yet, Kitty was sure that Oliver wore the red stickpin. There was just something about him.
After the women went through, Kitty crossed the drawing room to where Arabella sat on a sofa. Tim’s wife had been eerily quiet all evening, merely smiling whenever someone addressed her. Without preamble, Kitty’s friend declared, “I will not give you a hint.”
“I would never ask,” Kitty replied, “but I was hoping you would confirm a theory.” Arabella raised a single brow, and Kitty clarified. “Not about tonight. It is about why you are never fooled.”
“What is your theory?” Arabella patted the cushion next to her. “Tim claims it is black magic.”
“I suppose that is one theory.” Kitty chuckled softly. “But somehow, I do not believe that is the reason.”
The men came through, interrupting their conversation. Kitty had been expecting a few more minutes. Some gentlemen kept to the dining room and their Port for an hour or more after dinner. But she supposed the game only made sense with everyone in the same room.
Arabella watched both twins for a moment as they performed for the guests across the room. “I’ve never actually known how I tell them apart. I simply know Tim when I see him.”
“Not by the way he looks or acts,” Kitty paused, hoping she was not treading into too personal of territory, “but by the way he looks at you.” When Arabella did not reply, Kitty continued, “You share a connection with your husband that you can sense, even if you cannot explain it.”
Arabella nodded as if she agreed, but then turned back to Kitty. “And how did I tell them apart as a child?”
That was a valid question, but Kitty’s memory struck on the answer almost immediately. “According to Lady Diana, you’ve been courting since you were ten years old.”
Arabella laughed loud enough that several other guests turned to look at them. Lowering her voice, she leaned towards Kitty. “There is some truth to that.”
With nothing else to add to the conversation, the two women settled onto the sofa and watched the men perform. Each brother seeming to switch roles seamlessly. And yet, they gave themselves away to anyone truly paying attention. Each time the brother with the greenstickpin looked in their direction, his eyes met Arabella’s. While the brother with red looked towards Kitty herself, making her heart flip.
“I think you may be onto something.” Arabella spoke so softly Kitty could barely hear her. “But I have a question of my own.”
“Yes?” Kitty replied, never taking her eyes off Oliver.
“Can you tell them apart?”
Kitty chewed her lip as Oliver met her eyes and smiled before looking away. “I believe I can.”
Chapter Twelve
Oliverusedhisownpersona to answer a question from Mr. Davies, before tossing the country gentleman a very Tim-like grin. Impersonating his brother could be exhausting. And yet, he had not enjoyed a social event so much in years. When Lady Sampson had requested they play their game at her dinner party, he’d been hesitant. He had agreed only because he owed the baroness a large favor, several in fact. But he had not expected to have as much fun as he had.
After addressing something the elder Mr. Aldridge said, he sneaked another glance at Kitty and Arabella. The two women simply watched the rest of the guests as though they were enjoying a theater performance.
When he finally had time to step away, Oliver approached Kitty. “Miss Childs, I believe it is time to put your guess in the basin.” He did his best to impersonate Tim, but he felt self-conscious knowing Arabella could see right through him.
Kitty studied him for a long moment, tying his stomach into knots. “I do not believe I will.” A smile spread across her lovely face. “It wouldn’t be sporting.”
Oliver looked to his sister-in-law, who held up her hands in a show of innocence. “I have said nothing.” She then smiled at the petitewoman next to her. “But I have every faith that our dear Kitty figured it out.”
Oliver opened his mouth to ask “how,” but he was interrupted by Tim appearing at his side. “Shall we see who we fooled?”
The brothers walked over to the doorway before turning around and clearing their throats in unison. Once they had everyone’s attention, Tim stepped forward while doing his best impression of Oliver. “Now it is time to see who thinks I am Tim.”
Oliver then stepped up beside him. “And who is confident I am.”
They gave the guests five more minutes to place their theories in the bowl. Some already had, while others were waiting until the last possible minute. Once the time was up, they took the papers to Arabella for tallying and then introduced themselves. Tim in his green stickpin, and Oliver in red.
