They’d teased each other plenty over the years, though. About who of the endless parade was the best looking, who had looked overlong at whom. But this time, a pretty blush crept into Ivy’s cheeks, and she looked toward Clarke again. “He is, though, isn’t he? Handsome? And clever. And kind. The way he fussed over Mrs. Goddard when she stumbled . . .”

Lily’s breath had caught when their housekeeper had nearly gone sprawling upon coming in to tell them dinner was ready. But she hadn’t really noticed how Clarke reacted. She’d been more focused on how Marin had managed to move forward seconds before Mrs. Goddard entered, trying to smooth out the bunched rug with his foot, even while he steadied her stumbling form with a quick hand. All while looking as placid as a mountain lake.

How had he known she was about to trip?

A question her sister wouldn’t be able to answer. Lily smiled at Ivy, trying to focus her thoughts on their other guest. “He is all those things. And he was glancing your way quite often over dinner, so I daresay if you give him a bit of encouragement—and let Daddy know of your impressions—he’ll be a regular guest.”

Somehow Ivy’s cheeks went even pinker. “Perhaps. Let’s see how the evening ends, shall we? One never knows when a prince might turn into an ogre.”

With a chuckle, Lily focused on her camera again. If she wanted a shot of Clarke and Marin together, she’d better get it now, before her sister moved away from their quiet corner and stole all the male attention—or the younger men were called over by her parents and the Halls to join their conversation.

She thumbed the knurled screw again to lengthen the focus, checking through the viewfinder to verify that she had it right when she thought it nearly perfect. One more nudge and she was satisfied.

And the light was ideal. Before it—or her subjects—could shift, she trailed her fingers down the cable dangling at the camera’s side and gripped the push-pin. Drew in a deep breath, held her hands steady, and pressed the pin.

The shutter clicked. The film whirred. And a moment was forever captured. It made a smile curl in the corner of her lips.

“Am I allowed to move now?” A grin saturated Ivy’s voice.

Lily grinned back. “Thank you for not getting in the way of the light. Or distracting anyone.”

Her sister gave a mock salute. “Between you and Mama, I have been well trained. But there’s the pudding, so you’d better put the camera away, Lil.”