“Helena took them to the drawing room,” Gracie said.
“And Lord St. Ambrose and Mr. Mason?”
“They went off with Sebastian.”
It was just like Lord Thorne to orchestrate a private moment for his wife and her sisters. He was a good man.
Gracie linked arms with her as they crossed the foyer. “I think the men are in the billiards room. Do you want to greet them first?”
Edith shook her head. It had been months since she’d seen Lavinia, and although Edith had nothing but gratitude for Lord St. Ambrose, she did not have a close connection to him.
Her friend saw her as soon as she crossed the threshold and shot from the chair to meet her. “Edith!” They embraced, holding on to each other for a moment. When they drew apart, Lavinia’s smile stretched across her pretty face. “Your hair is down, and you’ve discarded the spectacles. How lovely you look. I think Scotland agrees with you.”
Edith scrunched her nose. “It is beautiful, but it isn’t home.”
“Please, do not tell me you miss the soot and noise. I’ll never believe you.” Lavinia’s blond brows arched slightly. “Why, if youneverreturned to London, I would not be surprised.”
“Hmm.” Edith offered a bland smile. It appeared Lady Thorne had been bending Lavinia’s ear. Once she and Lavinia were alone, she’d set her straight on the matter of Mr. McTaggart and remaining at Aldmist Fell. Edith made a promise to watch over Gracie, and she wouldn’t abandon her young charge for any reason, especially not for a man. Surely, Lavinia knew her better.
Lavinia turned toward the modestly dressed young woman seated beside Lady Thorne. “Pearl, come meet my dear friend, Edith.”
Edith held up a hand when Lavinia’s younger sister scooted to the edge of the settee. “No, don’t get up on my account. You must be fatigued from your journey.”
Pearl stood anyway and came forward with a bright smile on her round cherub face while Gracie scrambled to take her vacant spot on the settee.
“I am only tired of sitting,” Pearl said. With her chestnut hair and soft features, she looked nothing like her elegant older sisters, more adorable than stunning. She took Edith’s hands in hers. “What a pleasure it is to meet you at last. Lavinia has been on pins and needles the whole journey in anticipation of seeing you again.”
“Pins and needles?” Edith’s gaze shot toward her friend. It wasn’t like Lavinia to be anxious about anything.
Lavinia gave an almost imperceptible shrug and returned to her seat. “Helena was just telling us Gracie has an eventful stay planned for us: ice skating, caroling—”
“And roasting chestnuts,” Gracie interjected.
Lavinia smiled at her indulgently and patted her lap. “We will all have a wonderful holiday with you in charge, dearest. Now, do come here so I can snuggle with you.”
The young girl popped up from her seat and went to her sister to throw her arms around her sister’s neck. “I’m happy you’ve come.”
“How could I stay away?”
As Gracie settled on Lavinia’s lap, Pearl and Edith sat. They spent the next half-hour listening to Pearl share antidotes from their journey from Haslemere, where Lord St. Ambrose and Lavinia had stopped to collect Pearl and her husband before continuing to Aldmist Fell. Lavinia laughed at the correct times and gave Gracie a hug or kiss on the cheek every once in a while, but the way her gaze darted toward the doorway every few minutes alerted Edith her friend was not as carefree as she pretended. When the men joined them and Lavinia’s spine stiffened, it was clear something was amiss. Perhaps a lover’s tiff between her and Lord St. Ambrose?
In Edith’s experience, the two typically agreed on everything except whether they should marry. Lord St. Ambrose was dogmatic about wanting Lavinia for his wife, but Edith’s friend refused to comply with his wishes.
One does not marry his mistress without great cost to his reputation and livelihood, Lavinia often insisted. Edith thought her friend underestimated Lord St. Ambrose. While he was gentle with Lavinia and her loved ones, he possessed an air of dangerousness. Only a fool would court his displeasure.
When he looked at Lavinia, however, his face lost its hard edges and his hazel eyes shone with love. “Have you had enough time with your sisters?” he asked. “Perhaps you would like to rest before dinner.”
She aimed a sleepy smile at him, dispelling the notion they were out of sorts with one another. “It will never be enough time, but a short rest before dinner sounds lovely.”
Lady Thorne stood. “Allow me to show you to your rooms.”
Side by side, Pearl and Mr. Mason followed the baroness and her husband from the drawing room. Mr. Mason walked with a limp and supported his weight with a cane, but otherwise one wouldn’t know he’d lost a leg only a year ago.
Lavinia gathered Edith to her for another hug. “I’ve missed you,” she murmured. “We will talk more later.”
Edith returned her hug before surrendering her to Lord St. Ambrose. He smiled. “It is good to see you, Edith. You are looking well.”
She performed an awkward curtsey. “Thank you, milord.”
