Footsteps hastened down the corridor and the next face Veronica saw was her brother’s followed closely by Sebastian’s.

“Get this woman out of my house,” she demanded, glaring at Sebastian. She knew she sounded like a madwoman for referring to a place she hadn’t lived in for over two years as her house, but she wholly didn’t care.

“Calm down,” Justin said while he made his way to stand next to the trollop.

Veronica’s gaze flew to Sebastian. The look on his face was a mixture of disbelief and confusion, doused with a small amount of anger as he, too, eyed his closest friend.

“Melissa is your Christmas present,” Justin said next as if that ridiculous statement explained everything.

“What?” Veronica demanded, wondering for a moment if she might be struck dumb with pure rage.

“What?” Sebastian echoed as he gave Justin a look that clearly indicated he was about to toss them both out into the snow if he didn’t make some sort of sense out of this immediately.

Veronica watched Sebastian. His face reflected the same amount of surprise that hers probably did. No matter what was going on, he hadn’t invited Melissa here. No. This was all Justin’s idea. Veronica tightened her arms over her chest and glared at her brother.

Meanwhile, Melissa pulled the strings on her reticule tight and gave Veronica a once-over.

“Explain this, Whitmore,” Sebastian demanded in a voice that brooked neither disobedience nor hesitancy.

“This is Miss Wilson,” Justin explained. “Miss Melissa Wilson and—”

“We know who she is,” Veronica insisted. “What is she doing here?”

Justin arched a brow and shook his head at his sister. “As I said, she is your Christmas gift, you daft girl. Now sit down and listen for once.”

“My Christmas gift,” Veronica echoed, her nostrils flaring and her chest heaving with indignation. She had no intention of either sitting down or listening.

“You’d better start talking, Whitmore,” Sebastian thundered.

Justin smiled tightly at both his sister and his best friend before marching over to the settee where Melissa sat and putting a hand on her shoulder. “Thank you for coming, Miss Wilson. Now, go ahead. Tell them both the same thing you told me this morning when I paid you a visit.”

Veronica turned toward the door. “I refuse to listen to—”

“No, you don’t, Veronica,” came Justin’s simmering voice, with more force than she’d ever heard it. “You’re going to listen this time. Now sit down.”

Veronica stopped, turned, and hesitantly moved farther into the room, exchanging an uncertain glance with Sebastian. They both stepped over to the settee opposite Melissa and Justin and seated themselves.

“Go ahead, Miss Wilson,” Justin prompted, clearing his throat.

Melissa straightened her shoulders and pursed her painted lips. “I suppose this is for your edification, Your Grace,” she said pointedly staring at Veronica.

Veronica merely managed the hint of a disgruntled nod.

“I sent you a letter once, informing you that your husband was at my house,” Melissa continued.