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“How silly they are being,” her sister cried “What are we to do about it?”

“They only need a little nudge!”

“How are we to do that?”

“Perhaps with a feell-placed notes and twigs of mistletoe”

They shared a glance, and then dissolved into laughter

“Oh, Callie, this is recklessness on our part And surely too improper and wicked of us”

Miss Barrows chose that ency, and soon afterward swung Miss Barrows into his arms and marched toward the main entrance

“That lying wretch,” Letty cried “There is nothing wrong with her ankle She has pretended to be hurt to be in the earl’s arms”

“Do you believein her throat at the expression of loss and mortification on her mother’s face “Will you be my helper?”

Letty took a steadying breath She had always been the more modest of the two sisters, much more like their mother in her temperament and appearance Gentle and kind, and demure, especially in the presence of others Whereas Callie had always been ‘frightfully improper and too much like your papa,’ which was a common refrain of their mother’s

“Yes!” Letty said

With her sister behind her, Callie hurried frorateful they did not encounter any other guests The scent of lemon wax and pinecones was redolent on the air, and in the distance, someone played a lively tune on the pianoforte in the music room

“I rite a note, one to Mama and the other to the earl See that they are delivered with the utmost discretion, Letty!”

“I will ensure it,” her sister promised

Callie ran up the stairs and made her way to the chamber she shared with Letty Once there, she sat before the small escritoire, withdrew a sheaf of paper from the drawer, and dipped the quill in the inkwell