a sigh from his brothers. He’d worked hard in his parish, and he’d done a good job. He knew that. He deserved recognition. Verity deserved…all the happiness he could give her, if not the moon and the stars. He hated the idea that he was going to disappoint her. He had nothing to be ashamed of, and yet he felt somehow that he did.
After the supper interval, as she stood near her mother and Mrs. Doran, Verity was suddenly flanked by two taller women.
“Verity,” said Lord Sebastian’s elegant blond wife. “We must call you Verity now.”
“And we are Flora and Georgina,” said Lord Robert’s keen-eyed spouse.
“Welcome to the ranks of Gresham daughters-in-law,” said Georgina.
“Sixth and last,” said Flora with a smile.
They took Verity’s arms and led her to a cluster of gilt chairs in the corner. She felt slightly hustled. “Is there an examination?” she asked as she sat down.
Georgina looked startled, but Flora laughed. “It ought to be the other way about. A ducal information booklet, perhaps. Do you know that people are supposed to call me Lady Robert now? Did you ever hear anything so ridiculous?”
“It’s just a form of address,” said her companion.
“Yes, Georgina, you grew up among the nobility, and it seems quite natural to you. I did not.” Flora turned one hand palm upward. “And so it does not.” She snorted. “Lady Robert, as if I had no identity of my own. No name even.”
“What does Lord Robert think?” Verity wondered.
“Robert,” Flora corrected. “You may call him Robert. I so decree. For all the host of brothers.”
“Even Hightower?” asked Georgina dubiously.
“Well.” Flora hesitated. “Yes, of course. Nathaniel won’t mind.”
“It’s not that he’d mind.”
“No.” Flora shrugged, then nodded. “It just doesn’t seem quite right, I agree.” She turned back to Verity. “Hightower’s the oldest, you know, and heir to the duke. He has a sort of…natural dignity.”
“So does Violet,” said Georgina.
“Yes. His wife,” Flora informed Verity.
There were so many of them. It was difficult to keep track. “Do you feel part of the family?” Verity asked them.
“Yes, indeed,” said Georgina. “The duke and duchess have been more than kind.”
But Flora made a face. “I worried, once upon a time, about acceptance. Now I struggle to keep my head above the…tribal waters.”
“You say the oddest things,” Georgina replied without judgment.
“I’m known for it,” Flora answered. “And if you knew what I was thinking…” She wiggled her dark eyebrows.
“You’ll put Verity off us.”
“I don’t think I will.” Flora surveyed Verity. “I was impressed when we visited the school together. Verity seems level-headed and intelligent and charitable.”
“Randolph chose her,” said Georgina. “Sebastian says he’s most discerning of them all. So she must have all kinds of good qualities.”
“I’m right here listening to you,” said Verity. She appreciated compliments, but it was strange to be talked about so frankly. She also felt that life was suddenly going very fast. Yesterday, she’d been plain Miss Sinclair, with a reasonable number of familiar connections. Now she was being propelled into another family—large, complicated, and inquisitive.
“Here’s the prettiest sight in the ballroom,” said a deep voice above them.
Verity looked up. The Gresham brothers had arrived, three tall, broad-shouldered men. They were quite a sight, standing together—blue-eyed, auburn-haired, very handsome. Verity rose along with her companions.
Sebastian held out a hand. “My dance,” he said to Georgina. “At long last.” He took her fingers possessively.
“Would you do me the honor?” Robert said to Verity, with a perfect bow. She accepted, and they moved to join the set that was forming. Randolph came behind them with Flora.
“So you and Randolph have progressed from singing to matrimony,” said Robert as they moved down the line in the country dance.
The wives had trusted in Randolph’s choice, Verity thought. Robert was another matter; she could hear it in his voice.
“You do sing sweetly together,” he added.
“Have you been assigned to evaluate me?” Verity asked.
“I’ve taken it upon myself,” he replied.
It seemed the entire Gresham clan spoke freely. Verity found that both refreshing and disconcerting. How far was too far?
“Randolph is a splendid fellow, you know. I should like to see him happy.”
“And you don’t think I’ll make him so?”
“He’s offered for you, and he usually knows what he’s doing. I just don’t get the sense…”
“What sense?” Verity asked when he trailed off.
“The one I got with my other brothers.”
“The one? I fear I don’t understand.” Verity felt insulted, and suddenly sad. “Is it some sort of arcane perception?”
“I don’t mean to offend you, Miss Sinclair.”
“Indeed, Robert. I was informed