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mother would have been horrified that such a topic had been mentioned even in passing in the unwed Anna’s presence—she sat down on the sofa. “Yes, tea would be lovely.”
    Lavinia rang for a servant. The same elderly man responded and was told to bring a tea tray. “And lots of biscuits,” Lavinia added as the butler turned away. She gave Anna a mischievous smile. “I do love biscuits.”
    Anna smiled. “So do I.”
    “Something in common!” Lavinia giggled and reached for her tea. “I’m sorry, Miss Rosewood. I must appear appallingly familiar with you, but I feel as if I have known you my entire life, what with your arrangement with Haverford and all.”
    “If I am to call you Lavinia, then you must call me Anna. And the arrangement is yet informal.”
    Lavinia waved a dismissive hand. “Never fear, dear Anna. Haverford is nothing if not honorable. He will fulfill his father’s promise.”
    “I’m certain he will.”
    “And then we will be cousins.”
    “So we will.”
    Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the tea tray. The few minutes necessary to pour and fix her tea allowed Anna a chance to think about how she should best broach the subject that had brought her here.
    Once the butler left the room, Anna took a sip of her tea and began, “Did your mother enjoy the evening last night?”
    “She did,” Lavinia confirmed. “Mama rarely goes out anymore.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that.” She took another careful sip of tea. “And your brother? How did he fare?”
    “Rome is Rome.” Lavinia gave a sigh of sisterly exasperation. “He only found out about my condition just before we left for Haverford’s, and I swear he never took his eyes off me all night! As if I would shatter spontaneously or some such nonsense.”
    “Perhaps he’s simply concerned for your health.”
    “Perhaps. However, I cannot thank you enough for giving up your seat at the card table. I do believe that was the first time during the entire evening that I didn’t look up and find my brother glaring at me.”
    “I am a terrible cardplayer,” Anna confessed. “It was a pleasure for me not to have to play.”
    “Instead you were the sacrifice to my brother’s bad temper,” Lavinia said, with a grin that held no hint of regret. “I hope you can forgive me.”
    “Of course.” Anna reached for a biscuit. “I dohope his ill humor doesn’t overly affect you as of late.”
    “I just ignore him,” Lavinia said, with a shrug. “I know he means well, but I am a married woman now.”
    Anna’s lips curved at the bittersweet memory of her own brother. “I do understand.”
    “My goodness, do forgive me!” Lavinia’s face reflected her dismay. “You just lost your brother recently. What a clod pate I am!”
    “Please don’t distress yourself. I take comfort in listening to you speak of your brother. It brings back good memories.”
    “But still…” Lavinia took a biscuit from her plate and plunked it onto Anna’s. “There. Now you will understand how truly sorry I am.”
    “Indeed.” Solemnly, Anna bit into the biscuit. “I do appreciate your sincere regret.”
    Lavinia giggled. “Oh, you are too delightful, Anna! I do hope Haverford speaks to your father soon so that we may be cousins that much earlier. Are you attending the theater with Haverford on Thursday?”
    “Yes, as are my parents. Lord Haverford has invited us to share his box.”
    “I will be there, as well. I haven’t been to the theater in ages!”
    “And will your husband be attending?”
    “I do hope so. His political parties frequently take him away, so I would hate for him to miss it.” She reached for her last biscuit. “Mother does notenjoy the theater, and Roman may or may not attend, as the whim strikes him.”
    Anna strived to keep her tone casual. “Does he not enjoy the theater either?”
    “I expect that he does, but business keeps him from such pleasure. He has just resigned his commission and has turned