Chapter 4The family was ensconced in the rose sitting room as I strolled in.
“Ah. Deigning to join us at last, Awful?” William raised his teacup to his lips.
“My word. Do you mean to say I’ve been missed? How gratifying, and yet how remiss of me. Had I known, I should have put in an appearance much earlier.”
He scowled at me. On those rare occasions when I responded to his needling, I invariably succeeded in making nothing but a fool of myself. But knowing I’d soon have his brother beneath me—I let the corner of my mouth turn up in a smirk, and he narrowed his eyes.
“You’re in a jolly good mood.”
“And why shouldn’t I be? It’s my birthday, and I’ve received a splendid gift—”
“Hell and the devil!” John’s cup had slipped from his fingers to land on the Savonnerie carpet. He was pale, an
