“Friends that are not really his friends but he has to pretend like they are. He explained it to me when I was a lot younger. I’m Tamsin, by the way.”
“Louisa, but my friends call me Lou.”
“I like your name. It’s pretty.”
“Your name is pretty, too.”
Tamsin wrinkled her nose. “It’s not. My brothers tell me it’s a boy’s name all the time.”
“It’s not a boy’s name. Don’t listen to them. Boys don’t know what they’re talking about.”
“Really?”
“Seriously, you’ve got to be strong, and we have to work together against them.” She bumped her shoulder lightly with the young girl. Lou liked her. There was something about her that just put a smile on her face. She was still so young, and so oblivious to the world. It was refreshing to see.
“Are you trying to destroy my little sister?”
They both jumped as neither of them knew they had company. Turning around, she saw Jacob Denton leaning against the banister.
“Not at all. I’m just keeping her company.”
Jacob stared at her for several seconds before turning toward Tamsin. “You, young lady, should be in bed.”
Tamsin folded her arms, glaring at him. “Everyone down there is having fun.”
“I’m not having fun,” Lou said.
“What?” Tamsin and Jacob both asked at the same time.
“It’s not all fun. Sometimes adults have to have parties for no reason but it’s expected of them. What were you doing before you came sat here?”
“Reading.”
“I’d love to be reading right now. A nice big mug of cocoa, there’s nothing better is there?”
“No, there’s not,” Tamsin said.
“You better get to bed before Mom and Dad catch you.”
Tamsin stuck her tongue out at her brother, giggling as she did. “It was nice to meet you, Lou.”
“You, too.”
She was surprised when the young girl threw her arms around her shoulders, holding onto her. “Thank you.”
In the next second Tamsin was gone, and Lou was alone with Jacob.
Getting to her feet, Lou made her way back downstairs, but he stopped her by placing his hand in front of her.
“We’ve not been introduced,” he said.
She didn’t like the way he put his arm out to stop her, nor did she like how he took a step toward her.
“Louisa Moore,” she said, holding her hand out, taking a step away from him. “I know who you are.”
“Ah, my reputation precedes me.”
She frowned. “My brother showed me your picture a few years back. That’s how I know of you.”