“What about Reeves?” Matthew offered.
Heat rushed to Cassandra’s cheeks.
“What about him?” she squeaked.
“Try talking to him,” Matthew said. “He isn’tferal.”
“That’s arguable.”
“Consider it practice. He’s practically a member of the family andhe’ll also need someone to talk to in Hampshire. We all need to support each other, especially now, and I know he holds you in high esteem. High enough that he would go through the trouble of carrying you down from a tree. On that subject…” Matthew leaned down until they were at eye level, and with one jerking movement, he poked her between her eyebrows with his forefinger.
Cassandra yelped, “Ouch!”
“What was wrong with you today? What was in that letter?” Matthew asked sharply. “Was it a love letter? Is someone about to offer for you? Is that why you’re going on again about finding a husband?”
Cassandra rubbed at the skin between her eyes with a wince.
“No! It wasn’t a letter.” Cassandra flushed. She hid her face in her hands and not under a rock like she wanted to. “It’s from my diary.”
There was a beat of silence.
“Your diary?”
“Yes.”
Matthew rolled his eyes with such force that Cassandra could almost hear them shifting in his skull.
“I don’t know why you bother keeping one.” He fixed her with a questioning stare. “What secret could you possibly have that is so important you would climb a tree for it?”
“I would rather not discuss it,” she grumbled.
“Clearly.”
“And it’s getting late.” Cassandra smiled weakly and yawned for effect. “I’m going to turn in for the night.”
“Coward,” Matthew breathed out. “Have it your way. You’ll be trapped in a carriage with me for two days, I’ll have plenty of time to dig it out of you. Maybe you’ll feel different when you’re away fromprying ears.”
Cassandra frowned as he pointed to the rosebush to their right.
“You can come out now, Caroline.”
Caroline’s blonde head popped out from behind the rosebush. How long had she been hiding there? She was getting better at that, much to Cassandra’s growing irritation.
“How did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t.” Matthew bundled the blanket in his arms and threw it at her. It landed on top of her head, knocking her back. “I assumed.”
She emerged from the mass of fabric with a glower.
“I wouldn’t have to hide if you didn’t try to keep things from me.” She threw the blanket back at him. It landed between them on the ground. “I’m part of this family too!”
“Act like it, and join us next time!” Cassandra scolded. She picked the blanket up and dusted it off. “You don’t have to sneak around. If there’s something you want to know, you could ask!”
Caroline smiled sweetly. “But that’s less fun.”
“I’ve had enough. To bed, the both of you.” Matthew took the blanket from Cassandra, slung it over his shoulders, and walked away from them. “We’ll be busier than ever, starting tomorrow. Rest up, so we can give it our best shot.”
With a slight slump to his shoulders, hidden under the blanket, Matthew led his sisters out of the garden.