“Did he?” Melody crossed the room to sit next to Jane. “I only left because I had nothing to add. No wit or art, which seem to be the only things anyone appreciates. I am just a pretty face.” As she said this, her voice went beyond self-pity and into genuine despair.

Jane bit the inside of her cheek. She truly had monopolized the Dunkirks’ visit. “You are more than that. You are charming and good-hearted.”

“When I am not cross, you mean.”

Jane set down her hat, laughing. “Yes, but I have yet to meet the person who remains charming and good-hearted while cross.”

“But Mr. Dunkirk was right when he said that beauty fades. Except for artificial beauty.” Melody reached out and touched the delicate glass skin of a cherry. “I was hoping that you might teach me about glamour.”

Startled by the request, Jane could not disguise her pleasure at being asked. She took Melody’s hand in hers. “Of course. Whenever you like.”

“Oh, thank you, Jane.” Melody squeezed Jane’s hands with both of hers. “I mean to start at once so that . . .” She loosened her grip on Jane’s hand. “What is the matter?”

Without thought, Jane’s gaze had dropped to the hat on her lap. “Oh. I had promised to call on Miss Dunkirk today.” She kept her eyes lowered rather than watching the disappointment cross Melody’s face. “May we postpone until this evening?”

The room was quite still for a moment, and then Melody lifted the hat off Jane’s lap. “Of course. I would not want to interfere with your duty to our neighbours.” She set the bonnet on her head and crossed the room to a mirror. Adjusting her ringlets under the hat, she bared her teeth in some semblance of a smile. “Are you wearing this to the Dunkirks’?”

“I had thought to, yes. Melody, dear, you are welcome to come with me. I am certain that they did not intend the invitation for me alone.”

“Are you?” Melody spun in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection from all angles. Even unfinished, the hat looked fetching on her. “And yet you did not think to mention it to me until now. La! Jane, I rather believe that you did not intend for me to ever know. Well. I am certain that I do not want to intrude where I am not wanted.” She took off the hat carelessly and set it on the table under the mirror.

Despite the overly dramatic nature of Melody’s words, they stung because they bore some truth. She did not want to disappear into the background of her sister’s charm. To stop the guilt she felt, she said, “But I do want you to come. I did not see a time to mention it because you have been so cross with me. Do say you will come. We can work on glamour tonight.”

Melody studied her for a long moment before nodding. “I—I would like that. Thank you.”