“It’s nearly eleven,” Lavinia said in her usual pinched voice. “How was your trip to Bath?”
Still smiling, Alex sat up straight and fluffed the pillows behind her. She was ready to launch into every delicious detail with her sister. Who cared that she and Lavinia had never been close? Today she wanted to shout her happy news across the rooftops of London. Why, she’d discuss it with a fence pole if she thought it would listen. “Oh, Lavinia. The most wonderful thing has happened. You’ll never guess.”
Lavinia’s mouth spread into a tight smile. “I have some wonderful news of my own.”
Alex paused. “You do?” Years of experience had taught Alex that Lavinia intended to tell her story first, but Alex was tired of Lavinia always coming first. “That’s wonderful, but let me tell you—”
“I’m engaged!” Lavinia blurted out.
Alex gasped, her own news temporarily forgotten in her shock. “You are? Oh, Lavinia, how absolutely perfect.” Alex’s smile widened. Things could not have worked out any better. If Lavinia was also engaged, that would immediately put an end to her mother’s only objection to her own engagement. “I’m so happy for you. Who is your bridegroom?”
Lavinia smoothed her hand over the paper. “Why, it’s Lord Owen Monroe, of course.”
Alex’s breath caught in her throat. She tried to speak, but no words would come out. She must have heard her sister incorrectly. “Lord Owen Monroe?” she finally managed to croak.
“Yes. That’s right.” Lavinia’s face was blank with only the hint of a curl at her lips. “It was quite sudden, really.”
Alex struggled to pull air in and out of her rapidly deflating lungs. Her sister was lying. Lying or wrong or mad. One of the three, for certain.
“See?” Lavinia tossed the paper onto the bed. “Here is our engagement announcement.”
Alex grabbed the paper and scanned the page. It didn’t take long to find it. Lavinia was right. There it was, clearly printed for all of London to see. The engagement of Lord Owen Monroe to Lady Lavinia Hobbs.
Lavinia made her way over toward the window and stared out.
“There must be some mistake,” Alex murmured. “This can’t be—”
“Lord Owen paid a call yesterday afternoon,” Lavinia said, contemplating her fingernails. “He said he had to know where my affections lie.”
“He was here? Yesterday?” Alex hated the smallness of her own voice.
“Yes. He said he was prepared to ask another young lady to marry him. But he couldn’t make the commitment to do so until he knew for certain there was no hope whatsoever with me. He explained to me that our parents wished it. Apparently, he decided his father’s wishes and his allowance meant more to him than he’d originally realized.”
Tears—hot, fat, ugly, awful, shameful tears—stung Alex’s eyes. She savagely wiped them away “He said that?” Her voice cracked.
“Yes,” Lavinia replied, still gazing out the window. “Of course, it was a surprise to me that I’d accept him. You know how I’ve felt about him in the past.”
Alex could only nod, even though she knew her sister couldn’t see her. “Yes,” she managed.
“But the truth is, I’ve had a change of heart lately. You and Mother were so adamant about his being suitable, and he seemed so intent upon wanting me, well, I can hardly blame the poor man.” She laughed an affected laugh. “At any rate. I decided you’re right. He’s handsome. He’s eligible. I cannot remain a maiden forever. He must have been eager to announce the news because he went straight to the papers, apparently.” Her sister took a breath. “Of course, I remember you saying you might try your luck with him, but I assume you decided your affections lie elsewhere, given your good news.”
Alex wiped away the latest set of tears as her sister turned fully around.
“We’re planning a spring wedding,” Lavinia finished.
“A spring wedding?” Alex echoed.
“Yes, I’ve always wanted a spring wedding.”
“So have I,” Alex barely whispered.
Lavinia returned to the bed and shrugged and sighed. “Well, enough about me. What is your good news, Alexandra? Are you engaged? Perhaps to Lord Berkeley?”
“No! No. It’s … it’s nothing so grand as your news.”
“I see. Well, I do hope you’ll help me plan the wedding. I know we’ve never been close, but I’d truly like to change that.” She reached over and patted Alex on the hand.
“Of … of course.” Alex watched, dumbfounded, as her sister turned and flounced to the door.