Page 14 of To Know Miss May

Silence met the group. Ophelia and Portia looked hardly impressed with Livvy’s speech, though Mrs. Moon smiled with an agreeing nod.

This was precisely the reason why Father told Livvy not to speak about books. Because she always seemed to get carried away. She hoped she hadn’t offended the girls, though. She wouldn’t wish to do the same thing they’d done to her earlier—even if the Lady Macbeth version of Livvy wished to do the same.

“An excellent viewpoint,” Mrs. Moon said, leaning forward, “and one I wholeheartedly agree with.”

Movement occurred near the doorway—a footman waiting for his mistress’s attention.

“Oh, do excuse me,” Mrs. Moon said, standing to join the young man. “I’ll be just a moment.”

Mrs. Moon hadn’t left the room, but she may as well have, what with how uncomfortable the air between the Moon sisters and Livvy became.

She looked between them both, noting their boredom. Ophelia’s curls were tighter than Portia’s, and her eyes were slightly rounder when she smiled than her sister’s. In every other way, however, the girls were identical—nearly indistinguishable.

“’Ow fortunate ye enjoy readin’, Miss May,” Portia said, adjusting the lace on her collar. “I know our mother enjoys speakin’ with ye. It be a shame none of ’er children be as voracious readers as ye.”

The slight edge to her voice made Livvy pause. They didn’t think she believed she was above them, did they? “’Tisn’t a pastime for everyone. But that be fine. We’ve all our own likes and dislikes.”

“Indeed,” Ophelia said. “It be fortunate. Though I’ve ’eard people who read do so ’cause their lives lack excitement.”

Livvy pressed her lips together. When she couldn’t tell the sisters apart based on looks, she only had to hear them speak. Ophelia was always more biting.

Besides, Livvy did not read to give her life more excitement. She read to give her life meaning. But these girls would never understand it.

“I daresay Miss Pengelly doesn’t read,” Ophelia said, turning to face her body directly toward her sister.

Portia did the same. Clearly, they were finished speaking with Livvy and wished to carry on the conversation by themselves, which Livvy was more than fine to allow.

Unfortunately, she could still hear every word of it.

“No, I daresay she does not,” Portia returned.

“I daresay she ’as far too wonderful a life to ’ave time to. Especially now August ’as returned.”

Livvy ignored the repeat of the word ‘daresay,’ listening far more devotedly now August was mentioned.

“I do wish she could ’ave come this evenin’,” Ophelia continued. “She be such a joyous person to ’ave near.”

“We shan’t ’ave to wait long to ’ave her join us permanently, though,” Portia said with a small smile.

Livvy’s heart thudded dully against her chest. Did that mean…Were the two attached? Livvy thought they were simply friends.

“Yes.” Ophelia sighed. “If our foolish brother would simply request ’er ’and, we’d all be ’appier.”

Livvy glanced over her shoulder. Were the men through yet? She needed to speak with August so she could leave once and for all. It was fortunate she was only a four-second walk from home. That possibility of a quick escape was the only thing giving her comfort now.

Then again, if August was set on marrying Miss Pengelly, did Livvy have any reason to clarify that she wasn’t as odd as he may have thought when he clearly would not care?

Shaking her head, she determined to be rid of the girls’ words until they could be proven. After all, she of all people knew how important it was to allow people to tell their own stories.

“So, Miss May.”

Livvy pulled her gaze away from the doorway where Mrs. Moon and the footman were still speaking.

“Yes?” she questioned, facing Ophelia again.

Ophelia put on a sweet smile that seemed far too forced. “Do tell us why ye chose to come tonight of all nights.”

Livvy froze. This was what she hated about gatherings—questions. Questions she didn’t wish to answer. “I merely thought it be time for me to accompany Father.”