“What about you, Elizabeth?” Veronica asked next, turning toward her second sister. “What is your favorite dance?” She was quite enjoying talking to her younger sisters, partly because she hadn’t seen them in several months and she missed them, and partly because Jessica’s chatter was keeping her from having to exchange any awkward conversation with Sebastian for Grandpapa’s sake.

“None of them,” Elizabeth replied in her characteristic monotone. Poor Elizabeth. She’d rather be reading in the library than dancing, and they all knew it.

“How can you say that?” Jessica said to her twin with a sorrowful look on her face. “Dancing is one of the most amusing things we’ve learned so far. And we’ll get to do so with handsome gentlemen next spring. I cannot wait.” She pressed her hands together near her cheek. “Though we can only hope there is a gentleman for each of us as eligible and handsome as our dear Sebastian,” she added with a laugh.

Sebastian’s brows rose, and he inclined his head in a gracious nod before lifting his glass toward Jessica. “A most exquisite compliment, Lady Jessica,” he replied. “If only your sister thought as much of me,” he added under his breath, but Veronica did not miss it.

“What was that?” she shot at him, watching him from the corners of her eyes.

“Nothing, dearest,” he replied with a wide smile, taking a sip from his wine glass.

“Yes, well, I, for one, would like to hear from the newlyweds,” Justin interjected, just as the first course of turtle soup was being served.

Danger bells sounded in Veronica’s head. Justin was up to something. She could feel it. He liked nothing better than to rile her.

“You are still considered newlyweds, are you not?” Justin continued, turning first to Veronica, then to Sebastian, and blinking innocently at them.

“No, not at all,” Veronica replied, doing her best to keep a false smile pinned to her lips for Grandpapa’s sake. “We’ve been married for over two years. I’m certain there’s nothing interesting we can tell you. Our lives are quite dull. Aren’t they, Sebastian?” She finished with an edge to her voice, warning her husband to answer in the affirmative before she took a sip of wine.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Sebastian replied, settling back into his chair as if he relished the conversation. “I’d say our married life of late has been more interesting.”

Veronica choked on her wine. A coughing fit ensued that forced Sebastian to slap her on the back. The moment she’d regained her composure, she swiftly kicked his leg under the table.

“Ouch.” Sebastian leaned down to rub his leg, wincing.

Meanwhile, Veronica gave her brother a look intended to indicate he’d be kicked next if he didn’t quickly change the subject.

“If you’ve nothing to report,” Justin replied with an innocent smile, “then perhaps Grandpapa and Grandmama may answer my questions.”

“What would you like to know, dear?” Grandmama asked in her sweet, cheerful voice, her dark eyes sparkling.