“Did he tell you that?” Anne asked, surprised Simon would share their meetings.
“No, Perceval did. Simon does not know that I know.”
Perceval’s tongue was entirely too loose, but Anne would not say anything and risk getting the man in trouble. “That is all he is doing,” she said instead, though she knew it wasn’t.
“I don’t think so,” Elizabeth countered. “Simon has never given any woman but ye this much time of day. Not even Caitlin and me, unless we were unwell. He is always so busy working.”
Anne could not very well confess to Elizabeth that the only reason Simon was taking so much time for her was because he was using her. Instead, Anne focused on Elizabeth’s words about Simon caring for them when they were in poor health. “Are you telling me Simon personally takes care of you and your sister when you are ill?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Especially when we were younger. He would sit by our sides nonstop if we had a fever, forgoing sleep, food, all, until we were well. He is a wonderful caretaker.”
That did not sound like a coldhearted rogue. Anne sat with Elizabeth, plying her with questions about Simon. He’d taught both his sisters to read, write, and defend themselves, if the need should ever arise. She was just about to ask Elizabeth if she knew anything about why Simon had been turned away by their grandfather, but the door opened and Caitlin stomped into the room looking down at what appeared to be an invitation.
“We’ve been invited to another ball,” she moaned, glancing up and stilling. “Miss Adair, I did not realize we had company. I beg yer pardon.”
“Anne, remember. Please, call me Anne.”
Caitlin smiled. “Simon is not in,” she said, giving Anne a knowing look that seemed tinged with a touch of pity. Did Caitlin know Simon’s plans for Anne, then? How utterly embarrassing!
“Yes, so I’ve been told,” Anne murmured. “I was awaiting him here with Elizabeth. I was early. I was to be here at noon.”
Caitlin glanced at the desk and frowned. “It’s two hours past.”
Anne gasped and glanced to the clock. Caitlin was correct. She could not believe she had been here for three hours! And where was Simon?
As if reading her thoughts, Caitlin said, “It’s not like Simon to be late for an, er, appointment.”
Anne felt her cheeks heat. Caitlin most definitely knew what her brother was doing with her. Did the woman condone it? Did she think Anne a nitwit? Caitlin likely thought Anne was unaware that Simon was only using her so he could ruin her for revenge? “Perhaps I should take my leave?” Anne offered, thinking Caitlin may not want her there.
Caitlin waved. “Ye’re welcome to stay. Perhaps ye could aid me and my sister.”
“With?” Elizabeth interjected, eyebrows raised in question.
“Fashion,” Caitlin replied.
“Oh aye!” Elizabeth agreed.
Caitlin touched a hand to her skirts. “We seem to be woefully unaware of the fashions of theton. I dread attending a ball and being the recipient of odd looks.”
Anne smiled. “When is the ball you are to attend?”
“Saturday night,” Caitlin replied. “I’m certain it will be a dreadfully boring affair. It’s at the Duke and Duchess of Aversley’s home.”
Anne chuckled. “I know them both. They are lovely people. I’m attending, as well. Hmm…” She quirked her mouth while studying both sisters. They were shaped very similarly, and both happened to have a figure more like Jemma’s than Anne’s. “I know a wonderful seamstress, but she is not magic and could never have two bespoke gowns ready in six days. However,” she hurriedly rushed out after seeing both women’s smiles droop, “my sister has more gowns than she knows what to do with, and you both are about her height and shape. If you could call on her with me, then I’m positive she would be thrilled to lend you both gowns.”
“Ye’re certain she would not mind?” Elizabeth asked.
Anne gave a dismissive gesture. “She’ll be thrilled. We could go to see her now,” she offered, thinking it would be good to talk to Jemma, tell her what she had learned of Simon and seek her sister’s counsel.
“We can leave Simon a note so he will know where we have gone,” Elizabeth said, scrambling to her feet. “I’ll just go fetch paper and write the note. Give me but a few minutes.”
When Elizabeth had departed the room, Caitlin said, “He likes ye, ye know.”
Much to Anne’s dismay, her foolish heart leaped at Caitlin’s words. “Did he tell you that?” she asked, which seemed the appropriate question, yet she knew he would never have said any such thing. When Caitlin shook her head, Anne’s heart seemed to crash as quickly as it had sped up. My, she was silly.
“No, but I can tell by the way he sounds when he talks of ye.”
Before Anne could respond to that, Elizabeth returned. “We’re ready to go,” she announced. “I’ve left a note with Perceval, but in case he forgets to deliver it to Simon, I also left a note on Simon’s desk where he will surely see it.”
