wondering whether you are ready to leave for Hatchards,” replied Sophie.
“Yes, let me just have the clerk wrap my purchases.”
A short walk brought them to the bookstore. “Are you looking for something in particular?” asked her sister as they passed through the entrance.
“Oh, I thought that I would browse among the section on gardening…” Sophie darted a quick look at the tall case clock opposite the central staircase. “A guide to growing roses would make a lovely gift for Papa.”
“An excellent suggestion,” said Georgiana. “I’ll come along and help you look.”
“Wouldn’t you rather peruse the display of Ackermann’s fashion plates upstairs?”
“No,” came the decisive reply. “And look, the gardening alcove is deserted, which will allow us the perfect opportunity for a private sisterly chat.”
Sophie repressed a harried sigh. It seemed that within the blink of an eye, her sweet, fluffy little kitten of a sister had grown into an independent-minded creature with newfound claws.
“Feel free to wax poetic about Anthony,” said Sophie, pretending to peruse the nearest shelf. “You are always welcome to confide your feelings.”
“Actually, I would rather talk about you, not me.”
She pulled down a slim leatherbound volume and began leafing through the pages. “A boring subject, I fear. Aside from rescuing Mrs. Addison’s pug from the pond last month, I’ve had precious little excitement in my life.”
Georgiana slowly cocked her head and angled it side to side.
“What are you doing?” asked Sophie.
“Watching your nose grow longer and longer…you know, just like in that fairy tale you used to read to me and Penelope, warning of the consequences of telling lies.” Another tilt. “By the by, that is a book on beekeeping, and you are reading it upside down.”
Snapping the covers shut, Sophie shoved it back in its place.
“Honestly, if I didn’t know you better, I would ask if you are having…” Georgiana dropped her voice a notch. “…an illicit affair.”
“ Me ?” The word sounded perilously close to a squeak. Recovering her voice, she quickly added, “Good heavens, are you mad ?”
“I know, I know, it’s ridiculous. Ha, ha, ha.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” echoed Sophie weakly.
Her sister’s tentative smile faded just as quickly. “But that doesn’t alter the fact that you have been acting unlike yourself lately. Midnight forays, disheveled clothing, evasive answers.” Georgiana fixed her with a searching stare. “And most of all, that guilty expression shadowing your eyes. Something is very wrong. Why won’t you share it with me? Perhaps I can help.”
God forbid. Once again, the thought of Georgiana involved in the sordid stink of blackmail sent a chill shuddering down Sophie’s spine. Anthony’s parents were already opposed to the love match. One whiff of scandal…
“No, no, it’s something that I must deal with on my own.” Sophie edged back and craned her neck for a look at the clock. Time was of the essence in more ways than one. In little more than a month, Anthony and his parents were coming to Terrington for the annual Hunt Ball. It was to be the formal start to the prenuptial celebrations, with the wedding to follow a week later. Somehow, she must keep Dudley and Morton’s threats from destroying Georgiana’s future.
“But don’t worry,” she added. “I hope to have it resolved soon.”
Her sister scowled. “Your nose just grew another inch longer.”
“That is not humorous.” Turning to shield her face from further scrutiny, Sophie moved several paces down the stretch of shelving.
Silk rustled softly across the dusty floor as Georgiana stuck to her skirts like a cocklebur. “Neither is that odious You-Are-Too-Young-To-Understand tone. Damnation, I am not a child anymore, Sophie.”
“Don’t swear,” she said automatically.
“Then don’t provoke me.”
“I…” Another peek at the clock. “I’m sorry, but may
“Yes, let me just have the clerk wrap my purchases.”
A short walk brought them to the bookstore. “Are you looking for something in particular?” asked her sister as they passed through the entrance.
“Oh, I thought that I would browse among the section on gardening…” Sophie darted a quick look at the tall case clock opposite the central staircase. “A guide to growing roses would make a lovely gift for Papa.”
“An excellent suggestion,” said Georgiana. “I’ll come along and help you look.”
“Wouldn’t you rather peruse the display of Ackermann’s fashion plates upstairs?”
“No,” came the decisive reply. “And look, the gardening alcove is deserted, which will allow us the perfect opportunity for a private sisterly chat.”
Sophie repressed a harried sigh. It seemed that within the blink of an eye, her sweet, fluffy little kitten of a sister had grown into an independent-minded creature with newfound claws.
“Feel free to wax poetic about Anthony,” said Sophie, pretending to peruse the nearest shelf. “You are always welcome to confide your feelings.”
“Actually, I would rather talk about you, not me.”
She pulled down a slim leatherbound volume and began leafing through the pages. “A boring subject, I fear. Aside from rescuing Mrs. Addison’s pug from the pond last month, I’ve had precious little excitement in my life.”
Georgiana slowly cocked her head and angled it side to side.
“What are you doing?” asked Sophie.
“Watching your nose grow longer and longer…you know, just like in that fairy tale you used to read to me and Penelope, warning of the consequences of telling lies.” Another tilt. “By the by, that is a book on beekeeping, and you are reading it upside down.”
Snapping the covers shut, Sophie shoved it back in its place.
“Honestly, if I didn’t know you better, I would ask if you are having…” Georgiana dropped her voice a notch. “…an illicit affair.”
“ Me ?” The word sounded perilously close to a squeak. Recovering her voice, she quickly added, “Good heavens, are you mad ?”
“I know, I know, it’s ridiculous. Ha, ha, ha.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” echoed Sophie weakly.
Her sister’s tentative smile faded just as quickly. “But that doesn’t alter the fact that you have been acting unlike yourself lately. Midnight forays, disheveled clothing, evasive answers.” Georgiana fixed her with a searching stare. “And most of all, that guilty expression shadowing your eyes. Something is very wrong. Why won’t you share it with me? Perhaps I can help.”
God forbid. Once again, the thought of Georgiana involved in the sordid stink of blackmail sent a chill shuddering down Sophie’s spine. Anthony’s parents were already opposed to the love match. One whiff of scandal…
“No, no, it’s something that I must deal with on my own.” Sophie edged back and craned her neck for a look at the clock. Time was of the essence in more ways than one. In little more than a month, Anthony and his parents were coming to Terrington for the annual Hunt Ball. It was to be the formal start to the prenuptial celebrations, with the wedding to follow a week later. Somehow, she must keep Dudley and Morton’s threats from destroying Georgiana’s future.
“But don’t worry,” she added. “I hope to have it resolved soon.”
Her sister scowled. “Your nose just grew another inch longer.”
“That is not humorous.” Turning to shield her face from further scrutiny, Sophie moved several paces down the stretch of shelving.
Silk rustled softly across the dusty floor as Georgiana stuck to her skirts like a cocklebur. “Neither is that odious You-Are-Too-Young-To-Understand tone. Damnation, I am not a child anymore, Sophie.”
“Don’t swear,” she said automatically.
“Then don’t provoke me.”
“I…” Another peek at the clock. “I’m sorry, but may
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