"There's naught worse than a man who thinks he's
always right -- 'cept a woman who always is."
OLD WOMAN NORA TO HER THREE WEE
GRANDDAUGHTERS ON A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT

I forbid you to go." Though merely twenty years old, William Hurst thought himself in charge of Wythburn Vicarage when his father was away. "Be warned, Triona," he added in his deepest voice. "I will do everything in my power to halt this madness!" His oldest sister didn't even look up from digging out a worn portmanteau from her wardrobe. Caitriona -- Triona to her family -- placed the case on her bed and snapped it open, then began packing.

"Did you hear me?" William said more loudly, "I forbid -- "

"What? Oh, yes, I heard you. But someone has to go to London and talk some sense into Caitlyn."

"Yes, but -- "

"Since Father and Mother are visiting Uncle Traveres for two more weeks, and you are in the midst of preparing for your exams, that someone will have to be me."

William scowled. A handsome young man possessing considerable height, he was used to being paid more heed. Everyone in the county deferred to him, except his own family, even when he wore his high-collared coat of blue superfine, his cravat tied in an impressive array of knots. "You are not Caitlyn's keeper."

"But I am her twin sister, so it falls on me to help her out of this mess she's made."

"William, leave Triona be." Eighteen-year-old Robert stood by the door, his arms wrapped around a huge tome, and smirked at his older brother. "Father expressly placed Triona in charge when he left. I heard him."

William scowled. "Father didn't intend her to go running off to London. As I'm the oldest male, that should be my job."

Triona adju