‘Rowena’s sister, eh? A fine-looking girl, Rowena.’ His eyes lit up as he thought about Holly’s sister. ‘Extraordinarily fine. You’re not a bit like her.’ He looked benignly around, obviously expecting his view to be endorsed. Several totally unrelated conversations broke out simultaneously to cover the awkward pause. This wasn’t the first time Holly had heard unfavourable comparisons, and not all had been as unmalicious as her host’s. She looked from George Wesley, his expression bemused and irritated, to the others around the table, all busy being deaf, and her sense of humour came to her rescue. She burst out laughing. Soon, she wasn’t alone. ‘She’ll need a sense of humour with you, Niall,’ his sister laughed, dabbing the corners of her eyes with a tissue. Niall hadn’t joined in the general merriment at his father’s expense but he was faintly smiling as he looked at the woman wearing his ring on her finger. Holly felt his eyes; she turned her head. Something about that enigmatic smile made Holly’s heart thud painfully fast.
