“He’s in New York,” I mumbled. She plunked down on the sofa beside me.
“Yes, I know—your mother already said that.” Allison rolled her eyes. “But why didn’t he come? I thought this party was for him.”
Clarence strolled over and settled beside his sister.
“Yes, well...” I fidgeted with my lavender dress and avoided the pair’s gaze. “I believe he ran into some friends and decided to visit.”
“Do you know the friends?” Clarence asked. He slid out a shiny, golden watch from his waistcoat pocket. After glancing at its face, he flicked his eyes to mine.
“No,” I said. “I do not.”
He was undeniably handsome. The delicate curves of youth still clung to the strong angles of his jaw; and when his eyes met mine, I caught my breath. They were so dark it was as if they sucked up all the light.
I’d never met Clarence before this evening. He was twenty and, with the recent death of his father, had inherited the Wilcox business and immense fortune. Mama had mentioned something about political ambitions, too, but I couldn’t recall.
Though I knew the pair expected me to continue the conversation, I kept my mouth clamped shut. Mama would be horrified at my wasted chance to impress Clarence Wilcox, but I didn’t want to talk about Elijah.
Seconds passed in awkward silence. Clarence’s head swiveled about as he studied the room. Allison eyed me, and I fidgeted with my amethyst earrings—a nervous habit I’d acquired ever since Elijah had given them to me on my thirteenth birthday.
At last Allison sighed and scooted closer. “So, what’s wrong with you tonight?”
I scowled. “Nothing.”
“Humbug!” She narrowed her eyes and wagged a finger. “You don’t want to talk to me, you’ve avoided the other guests, and you haven’t smiled the entire evening.”
“Not now, Allison.” I gave her what I hoped was a pleading expression, but I could feel the muscles in my jaw twitch with anger. Ever since Mrs. Wilcox had unexpectedly, and rather abruptly, befriended Mama three months ago, I had been forced into Allison’s company far more than I wished.
“Allie,” Clarence said wearily, “leave her alone.”
“No.” Allison straightened in her seat and planted her hands on her hips. “Why are you so dour? Be nice to me. It’s not my fault your brother didn’t come home.”
That was too far.
“Enough,” I hissed, grabbing at her. “Shut pan, Allison.”
She leaned out of my reach, but Clarence laid a gloved hand on her arm. “I think you’ve done sufficient harm for one evening, Allie. Go talk to Mother.” He tipped his head toward the other side of the room.
To my astonishment and relief, she actually obeyed. For a moment, the heavy plumes of depression cleared from my chest. I could breathe.
“I can’t believe she listened to you.” I turned a wide-eyed gaze on Clarence.
A grin tugged at his lips. “Yes, I imagine I’m the only person she’ll listen to.”
“Well, I’m impressed.” A warmth eased through my body. Despite his perfect features, he was not so difficult to talk to.
“No doubt you’d do the same with your brother.”
“Not precisely.” I smiled ruefully. “To be honest, I don’t take orders well.”
“Then I shall be sure I never give you any.” He winked before whipping out his pocket watch again and glancing at its face.
I arched my eyebrows, and my grin grew wider. “Are you bored?” I teased. “Or do you have some late-night appointment you can’t miss?”
He jerked his head up, and my breath caught. His pupils had grown until there was no iris left.
“Neither. Of course.” He dropped the watch back into his pocket and slouched leisurely against the sofa. He gave an unruffled smile. “So tell me, Miss Fitt, do you know when your brother will return?”
“No.” I wet my lips. “Do you know Elijah?”
He looked off to the right. “I know of your brother.”
“Oh?”
“Of course.” He folded his arms over his chest and returned his gaze to me. “Everyone knows of the Philadelphia Fitts. I even know of you.”
“You mean Allison told you about me.”
His lips twitched. “Certainly.”
I stroked my amethysts and made my expression passive. I didn’t care one whit about her gossip—though I did wish she wouldn’t talk about me to Clarence. I’d prefer if eligible young men learned my faults after meeting me.
He flashed his eyebrows playfully, as if knowing where my thoughts had gone. “You needn’t worry. She’s said nothing unkind. She finds you amusing—she likes to talk, you know?”
“I hadn’t noticed,” I said flatly. Saying Allison loved to gossip was like saying birds enjoyed flying. It was not so much a hobby as a part of her physiology.
Clarence’s smile expanded, and his eyes crinkled. “Apparently there was an insult you gave her a few days ago, though.... She had to ask me what it meant.”