She moved over to it and studied it as intently as she did the Gardens. “No, we certainly don’t look that similar. Your sister is very pretty.”

She was, though he wasn’t sure if agreeing with the statement would somehow imply that Lady Elizabeth wasn’t. Which certainly wasn’t true, was it? He still had a hard time putting words to the question, even when she was standing right before him. Pretty was such an arbitrary thing. All he knew was that he liked looking at her, talking with her. That seemed far more important.

She didn’t wait for him to comment before adding, “And this is your older brother?”

“Morgan. Yes.” Had Mabena told her anything about him? It was possible—she’d always adored him. Oliver slid over to her side to look at the familiar lines and planes of his brother’s face. How glad he was that they had this reminder to keep the image fresh. “He died two years ago. The doctors weren’t sure what it was that kept him ill for much of his life, but it finally won.”

Her gaze was on him now, rather than the photo. “I’m so very sorry.”

Perhaps eventually he’d be able to speak of him, to think of him without this tightness in his throat. “He was my best friend.”

“Then he must have been a most remarkable young man.”

He blinked away the memories and looked down at her. “How gracious you are to my family, my lady.”

Her smile was as sweet as a spring breeze. “There’s no grace involved. I like your family—or what I’ve met of you. It’s only logical that I’d like the rest of them too.”

He offered his arm. “To the Abbey Gardens?”

“Yes, thank you.”

They paused for their hats on the way out but were soon in the sunshine again, and Oliver looked about, half expecting Mabena to come barreling upon them even now. “Are you here just for the day?”

“Until tomorrow. Moon said we’d stay overnight with her parents. Though even a day and a half won’t be enough in the Gardens. I’m going to have to convince her to come back at least once a week.”

“Indeed, if you mean to study the whole of the place. And you’re interested in the fauna too, aren’t you? You should really arrange for a tour to St. Martin’s. That’s where the bird-watchers tend to flock.”

She chuckled at his pun. “I’ve been thinking the same. Is there an inn or something here? Moon said her parents would be offended if we didn’t stay with them, but I don’t want to impose upon them too often.”