Which one?Anne thought.
It was Katherine’s turn to give a dry reply. “Ha ha.”
“I’m sure Miss Stark could sit with Lady Celia in your absence,” Jasper suggested.
“I had thought to ask her to help me dress for the occasion,” Miss Fitzjohn said. “Do something with my hair.”
“Good idea,” Jude said. “A woman your age needs all the help she can get.” He said it in a teasing manner, ending with a wink, but Anne thought the quip more hurtful than funny.
From the deflated look on Katherine’s face, she thought so too.
“I am sure Rosa would be happy to help you,” Anne said, “though you are lovely as you are. I will send her to you.”
“Thank you, Miss Loveday. You see now why I would like you to join us.”
“Very well. I shall ask Lady Celia if she minds.”
“I’ll talk to her for you,” Jasper said. “Make sure she knows it was my—our idea. Then she can’t object.”
“Oh, she might,” Katherine said. “But I will express my desire for Anne’s company as well. She has rarely been able to resist the both of us when we team up. Is that not so?” She was responding to Jasper, but her eyes flicked to Jude Dalby as she said it.
“True indeed.” Jasper smiled, then turned to Anne. “I shall walk up with you now.” He took the tray from her and started toward the stairs.
“I’m coming too,” Katherine said, following.
Reaching Lady Celia’s room, Jasper greeted his aunt, set down the tray, and then broached the subject. “We’ve invited Miss Loveday to join us for Kat’s birthday dinner tonight, as you are not equal to the stairs. You do not mind, I trust?”
Lady Celia narrowed her eyes at first him, then her daughter. “What are you two up to?”
“Not a thing.”
“Whatever it is, leave Miss Loveday out of it.”
“We only want her company,” Katherine said.
“Besides, you will likely be asleep by the time we sit down and won’t miss her.” Jasper grinned to soften the words.
“It’s that dashed sleeping draught....”
“You have been more tired of late, Mamma,” Katherine said. “You must own it. Your heart—”
“Yes, yes. Well, at least you acknowledge I have one.”
Jasper added, “You know Miss Stark will be right next door.”
“Very well.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Anne may go to your birthday dinner.”
“Thank you, Mamma. We shall save you a piece of cake.”
They turned to go.
Lady Celia called after them, “You did not invite anyone else to this soirée of yours, I trust?”
Katherine turned, jaw set. “No, Mamma. I did not.”
That evening, Anne brought up Lady Celia’s dinner tray, helped her sit up in bed and eat, and then gave her the prescribed medicine. Together she and Rosa helped her change into a fresh nightdress and clean her teeth. They then settled her back under the bedclothes so the woman would be ready to sleep, since she had begun nodding off earlier and earlier.
After that, Anne read to Lady Celia for a time, while Rosa went to help with Miss Fitzjohn’s attire and hair.
