did not chase after me.â
âOh, yes, he did. It was all my mother could talk about afterward.â
âI find that difficult to believe.â
Sarah shrugged. âIâm afraid youâre in a very sticky spot, dear cousin. With me married and none of my sisters old enough to be out, my mother has determined to fix all of her energies on you.â
âDear heavens,â Iris remarked, with no sarcasm whatsoever. Her aunt Charlotte took her duties as a matchmaking mother very seriously.
âNot to mention . . .â Sarah went on, her words laced with great drama. â What happened at the Mottram ball? I did not attend, but clearly I should have done.â
âNothing happened.â Iris fixed her best what-nonsense! expression upon her face. âIf you refer to Sir Richard, I simply danced with him.â
âAccording to Marigoldââ
âWhen did you speak with Marigold?â
Sarah flicked a hand in the air. âIt doesnât matter.â
âBut Marigold wasnât even there last night!â
âShe heard it from Susan.â
Iris sat back. âGood Lord, we have too many cousins.â
âI know. Really. But back to the matter at hand. Marigold said that Susan said that you were practically the belle of the ball.â
âThat is an exaggeration beyond compare.â
Sarah jabbed her index finger toward Iris with the speed of a practiced interrogator. âDo you deny that you danced every dance?â
âI do deny it.â She had sat out quite a few before Sir Richard had arrived.
Sarah paused, blinked, then frowned. âItâs not like Marigold to get her gossip wrong.â
âI danced more than I usually do,â Iris allowed, âbut certainly not every dance.â
âHmmm.â
Iris eyed her cousin with considerable suspicion. It never boded well when Sarah looked to be in deep thought.
âI think I know what happened,â Sarah said.
âPray, enlighten me.â
âYou danced with Sir Richard,â Sarah went on, âand then you spent an hour with him in private conversation.â
âIt wasnât an hour, and how do you know this?â
âI know things,â Sarah said flippantly. âItâs best not to inquire how. Or why.â
âHow does Hugh live with you?â Iris asked to the room at large.
âHe does very well, thank you.â Sarah grinned. âBut back to last night. However much time you spent in the company of the exceedingly handsome Sir Richardâno, donât interrupt, I saw him myself at the musicale, heâs quite pleasing to the eyeâit left you feeling . . .â
She stopped then, and did that odd thing with her mouth she did whenever she was trying to think of something. She sort of moved her lower jaw to one side so that her teeth no longer lined up, and her lips did a funny little twist. Iris had always found it disconcerting.
Sarah frowned. âIt left you feeling . . .â
âFeeling what?â Iris finally asked.
âIâm trying to think of the right word.â
Iris stood. âIâll ring for tea.â
âBreathless!â Sarah finally exclaimed. âYou felt breathless. And all aglow.â
Iris rolled her eyes as she gave the bellpull a stiff yank. âYou need to find a hobby.â
âAnd when a woman feels all aglow, she looks all aglow,â Sarah continued.
âThat sounds uncomfortable.â
âAnd when she looksââ
âAll prickly skin and sweaty brows,â Iris plundered on. âSounds a bit like a sun rash.â
âWill you stop being such a spoilsport?â Sarah huffed. âI declare, Iris, you are the least romantic person I know.â
Iris paused on her way back to the seating area, resting her hands on the back of the sofa. Was that true? She knew she was not sentimental, but she was not completely without feelings.
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