“It really was the most terrifying thing. I never could eat beforehand, or I’d be in danger of losing the meal on his boots, and wouldn’t that be a horror.” She shivered at the thought. “We’d line up, my brothers and I, all in a row. Scrubbed, polished, and silent, we’d wait for Father to give his approval. Quite, quite agonizing, I assure you.”

He glanced at her. Despite her words, Lady Georgina’s face was bland, almost careless, but she wasn’t quite as good at disguising her voice. He wouldn’t have noticed it a week ago, but today he detected the strain. Her old man must’ve been a right bastard.

She was looking down at her hands now, folded in her lap. “And, you see, at least we had each other, my brothers and I, when we went for inspection. But Violet is the youngest. She had to do it all alone after the rest of us grew up and left.”

“When did the earl die?”

“Five years ago, now. He was on a foxhunt—he was very proud of his kennel of foxhounds—and his horse balked at a hedge. The horse stayed behind, but father went over and broke his neck. He was already dead when they brought him home. Mother had an hysterical fit and took to bed for the next year. She didn’t even rise for the funeral.”

“I’m sorry.”

“So am I. Mostly for Violet’s sake. Mother has always been delicate—her words. She spends a great deal of her time inventing illnesses and then calling for the latest ridiculous cure.” She stopped suddenly and inhaled.

He waited, handling the reins as the horse trotted around a bend.

Then she said softly, “I’m sorry. You must think me terrible.”

“No, my lady. I think that your sister is lucky to have you.”

She smiled then, that bright, open smile that made his balls tighten and his breath catch. “Thank you. Although I don’t know if she would agree with you at the moment.”

“Why is that, my lady?”

“I don’t know why, exactly,” she said slowly. “But something seems to be wrong. She’s angry at me . . . no, it’s not that plain. She’s distant, as if she’s keeping part of herself back from me.”

He was out of his depth here, but he tried. “Perhaps it is simply that she’s growing out of the schoolroom.”

“Maybe. But Violet has always been such a cheerful, open girl, and we’ve been very close. With Mother the way she is, well, I’ve had to step in. We’re closer than most sisters.” She smiled mischievously at him. “It’s why I’m so sure of the reason she distrusts you.”