Free The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn Page A

who most shared Iris’s loathing of the musicale.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Sarah said. “I couldn’t resist. Pray, continue.”
    Iris pursed her lips, remembering. “He was watching me the entire time,” she said.
    â€œMaybe he found you beautiful.”
    â€œSarah,” Iris said frankly, “no one finds me beautiful. At least not at first glance.”
    â€œThat’s not true!”
    â€œYou know it is. It’s fine. I promise.”
    Sarah looked unconvinced.
    â€œI know I am not ugly ,” Iris assured her. “But it’s as Daisy said—”
    â€œOh no,” Sarah cut in forcefully, “ don’t quote Daisy.”
    â€œNo,” Iris said, trying to be fair. “Occasionally she says something that makes sense. I lack color.”
    Sarah held her gaze for a long moment, and then said, “That is the most asinine thing I have ever heard.”
    Iris lifted her brows. Her pale, colorless brows. “Have you ever met anyone quite so pale?”
    â€œNo, but that signifies nothing.”
    Iris let out a frustrated breath, trying to articulate her thoughts. “I’m trying to say that I’m used to being underestimated. Overlooked.”
    Sarah just stared at her. And then—“What are you talking about?”
    Iris let out a frustrated little puff of a breath. She knew Sarah would not understand. “People rarely notice me. And that’s—no, I swear it!—all right. I don’t want to be the center of attention.”
    â€œYou’re not shy,” Sarah pointed out.
    â€œNo, but I like being able to watch people, and”—she shrugged—“if I’m honest, mock them inside my own head.”
    Sarah sputtered a laugh.
    â€œOnce people get to know me, it’s different,” Iris continued, “but I do not stand out in a crowd. And that is why I do not understand Sir Richard Kenworthy.”
    Sarah was silent for a full minute. Every now and then she’d open her mouth as if to speak, but her lips would just hang in an oval, and then she’d shut them again. Finally she asked, “But you like him?”
    â€œWere you not listening?” Iris practically exploded.
    â€œEvery word!” Sarah insisted. “But I do not see how any of it is relevant, at least not yet. For all we know, he did take one look at you and fall desperately in love. His behavior is certainly consistent with such a thing.”
    â€œHe’s not in love with me,” Iris insisted.
    â€œMaybe not yet .” Sarah let her words hang in the air for some time before asking, “If he asked you to marry him, this very afternoon, what would you say?”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous.”
    â€œOf course it is, but I still want to know. What would you say?”
    â€œI wouldn’t say anything, because he would not ask.”
    Sarah scowled. “Will you stop being so stubborn for one moment and indulge me?”
    â€œNo!” Iris was ready to throw up her arms in exasperation. “I fail to see the point in attempting to determine my reply to a question that will not be asked.”
    â€œYou would say yes,” Sarah said.
    â€œNo, I wouldn’t,” Iris protested.
    â€œThen you would say no.”
    â€œI did not say that, either.”
    Sarah sat back and nodded slowly, a very smug look washing over her features.
    â€œWhat now?” Iris asked.
    â€œYou won’t even ponder the question because you’re afraid to examine your own feelings.”
    Iris did not reply.
    â€œI’m right,” Sarah said triumphantly. And then, as an aside: “I love being right.”
    Iris took a deep breath, although whether this was to rein in her temper or summon her courage she did not know. “If he asked me to marry him,” she said, each word enunciated with precision, “I would tell him that I needed time to give him an answer.”
    Sarah