Gretchen pulled a face at the mention of their other aunt; Katherina was a pussycat compared to most of the family. By far the least terrifying at any rate and Mr Macmillan would have to try harder with aunt Mariana – who truly was disconcerting – and Tiberius – who Gretchen was positive had never so much as nodded in her direction despite being her cousin.

A bigger pair of monsters she couldn’t imagine and what was the rewards? Glacial Tatiana who had probably never been kissed by a handsome Prewett boy and felt the excitement of misbehaving in such a wonderful way.

“I suppose my advantage is that no one will have to try too hard for my hand in marriage. Nephele the Nutter and Priam would probably swap me for frankincense and myrrh if God told them to do it.”

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Bee is tremendous, isn't she?