A copy of Witch Weekly arrived via owl promptly every Sunday. Whereas many went to church, Verity sat on the bench at the bottom of her bed and combed through the pages for any pieces of gossip worth noting. It was her ritual, her saving grace from the boredom that was mourning.

That was, at least, until she spotted Ford's picture staring back at her whilst reading an article about Miss Belby. Verity read and reread the article thrice, not at all comprehending the idea of her brother — who was arguably just as graceless as Grace — sneaking off to a closet with ... Miss Belby. It couldn't possibly be true, not when their reputations needed to remain intact to secure respectable matches. Surely, Ford — who was the most insistent that they all marry well — wouldn't be so careless. Verity deliberately closed the magazine and left the safe confines of her bedroom to find her brother.

Her search didn't take long (How could it when their home was as tiny as it was?) and she found him alone in the parlor. At least she wouldn't have to contend with Noble or Grace with this inquisition. Or, Merlin forbid, Mama. "I expect congratulations are to be in order," she smiled. "When are you and Miss Belby to expect your new arrival? Or is she Mrs. Greengrass now?"