While Sheridan chattered at Willsworth and Bryant, Lottie turned to Libby with wide eyes that all but screamed, Your brother is here! “Anyway,” she said as if she hadn’t been interrupted. “Emily. There’s nothing left to let on St. Mary’s, and our cottages are positively bursting already—my aunt and cousins just arrived, you see, which I hadn’t known they’d be doing when I extended the invitation to Lady Emily. So, I was rather hoping you could put her up here? You’ve two bedrooms, haven’t you? And if the maids prefer it, they could room with ours. Or we could lend a couple cots for them, if you prefer they stay nearby. Though to be sure, I hadn’t realized your brother was here. Where is he staying? Did he find a room somewhere? We’ve had absolutely no luck finding anything, though perhaps it’s because he swooped in and let the last ones.”

Bram shifted to Libby’s side, fingers gripping her elbow. “Your friend can have the whole cottage. Libby is coming home.”

Lottie’s face fell. “Oh, but she mustn’t! I had such fun planned for the three of us! And it was probably quite a task for Em to convince Lord and Lady Scofield to let her join us and—”

Porcelain clattered as Sheridan’s cup met his saucer. Odd, that. He didn’t usually lack for grace. “Did you say Scofield? I mean, pardon me. Not to interrupt.”

Not that Lottie minded, given the fact that it was another eligible bachelor who did the interrupting. She dimpled, nodded. “That’s right. Lady Emily Scofield, one of my dearest friends. Along with Libby, of course. It shall be properly wonderful, having all three of us together!”

Bram had at least turned his narrowed eyes on Sheridan, though his fingers didn’t loosen any on Libby’s elbow. “I do apologize for disrupting your plans, Miss Wight. But my sister is needed at home.”

“No, I’m not.” It came out as little more than a squeak though, covered by another loud gush of wordy displeasure from Lottie. Libby squeezed her eyes shut, wincing a bit when Darling’s claws bit in as he tried to climb a little higher onto her shoulder. He was no doubt as fond of the crowd as she was.

Sheridan’s voice won out next over the din. “Oh, we’ve been staying in Penzance the last two days, ferrying over. You’re right—there’s absolutely nothing here to let.”

Libby forced her eyes open, trying—and failing—to pull her elbow free from Bram’s hand. “Then you had better get back to the ferry. The last one’s leaving soon, I believe.”

Bram glared down at her. “You’re absolutely right, Libby. So you had better start packing. Moon can help you with that, and I’ll see to your . . . guests.”