edwina approached her sister from behind, linking their arms when she reached her. “you look beautiful, didi. as always.” she glanced up at her sister with a beaming smile. the past week had certainly been difficult for the pair as they were rocked with a scandal, but now that everything was out in the open, edwina was hopeful that they would grow even closer. she cast her gaze out to the ballroom at all of the masked figures. there is a beat of silence as she attempted to search for a certain viscount at the centre of the scandal and possibly of her sister’s heart. she hadn’t spent much time around the gentleman but the look on kate’s face told her everything she needed to know. “i may have much to learn but i do believe that the world would remain intact if you allow yourself to be happy.”

“dearest sister, you look well,” the words leave her lips in a cheerful enough tone but edwina is certain that her sister will be able to pick up on the slight edge. there isn’t much she can hide from her older sister, but it seemed as though the opposite was no longer true. a smile tugged at her lips as she gestured toward the set table, where a full teapot sat, along with some finger sandwiches and other foods she knew her sister would tolerate. “would you like to join me for a little tea?” she asked, although her tone remained sweet, the question did not invite any answer other than an affirmative one. “i had your least objectionable treats prepared for you.”

"i have so many questions to ask you and i do not even know where to start— have you been to the modiste?"

after exchanging pleasantries and greetings, daphne led the sharma sisters into the drawing room for tea and conversation. when she turned around to face the pair once more, her gaze fell on the new ring that adorned miss kate sharma's finger. it was a ring she would recognise anywhere. she had spent many hours of her youth admiring the ring and begging to hear her parents' beautiful love story, despite having heard it many times previously. all conscious thought stopped, unable to think about anything except the ring. this could only mean one thing — her eldest brother had made his intentions with miss kate sharma clear before it was too late. finally. pride swelled in her chest at the mere thought of the conversations she shared with anthony regarding the eldest sharma. her predictions were right and now she would inherit two wonderful sisters. "please," she said, trying to contain her sheer excitement as she gestured towards the seating area and plates of food. "help yourself to whatever you like, i requested a selection but if colin returns home, we will require much more food."

lunch that day was just kate and nicholas, which was fine for him, since he'd just found out, kate and the viscount were actually courting. he wanted to make sure his cousin was being treated the way she deserved ❝so, tell me, how has your time with the viscount been?❞