“Since when do you know so much about love? I thought your only interest was your puppies.”
Her sister pursed her mouth into a tight pucker and looked aside.
Fortuity smiled, thrilled that she’d discovered a secret about Grace, the sister no one ever got one over on. “You are in love. Who is he?”
“I am not in love.” Grace huffed and glared upward, as if sending up a prayer for divine guidance. “If you must know, I have read your stories, and your current difficulties leave me towonder how you could ever write such romantic tales when you can’t seem to get it right in real life.”
“My characters do as I bid them. Unfortunately, norealpersons seem inclined to grant me such courtesies.”
Grace eyed her. “I can see how that would be true. Even so, I do not think today a mistake. Make the most of it.” She nodded at the bundle on the seat beside Fortuity. “Did you bring them all?”
“Almost all. I left the unfinished works in my hideaway—which I apparently must relocate, since you know where it is.” Fortuity pulled aside the window covering and peeked outside. “Oh my. We are here. I thought the carriage was slowing.”
“Calm down.” Grace scooted forward as the vehicle rolled to a stop. “Make the man realize he wishes to marry you, so I will not be forced to shake him.”
If only it were that easy,Fortuity thought, but didn’t dare voice her insecurities. Grace was by far the strongest willed of them all. Nothing shook her. At times, she even outwitted Serendipity. “Thank you for coming with me today. Seri can be unbearable at times since she decided to help Chance find us husbands.”
“You are welcome,” Grace said with surprising gentleness. “After yesterday, I feel somewhat invested in your future and mean to see it through to a successful outcome.”
The carriage door swung open, and their footman, George, stuck his head inside before folding down the steps and helping them out. “Mind the walkway, Lady Fortuity and Lady Grace. Not yet icy, but soon will be.”
“Thank you, George.” Fortuity scooped her bundle of stories into the crook of her arm and tried not to lose her muff in the process.
“Might I carry your package for you, my lady?” The trusted young man eyed her with worry as she teetered in the doorway,attempting to balance the bundle, her fluffy handwarmer, and her reticule while disembarking without snagging her cloak or gown somewhere in the process.
She handed it over, then accepted his help in stepping down. “My goodness, George, you were quite right about the slippery way of things.” She cast a glance back. “Mind your steps, Gracie. The stonework is quite treacherous.” A glance upward at the heaviness of the dreary gray clouds made her wonder if the weather was an ill omen. The chilling drizzle came down harder. “Perhaps we should go home.”
“We are staying,” Grace said. “However, does Ravenglass have shelter for our people and horses? I refuse to make them sit out in this weather while we are warm beside a fire.”
“If there is no shelter for our team, nor a good, hot drink for our servants, we shan’t be staying.” At least they agreed on that count. Fortuity carefully picked her way to the front door and banged the heavy metal knocker shaped like a raven.
The same butler she had met during last year’s visit opened the door. “Good day, Lady Fortuity. Lord Ravenglass is expecting you.”
“Thebson, isn’t it?” At least, she thought that was the man’s name, recalling it because it was so unusual.
The man bowed. “Yes, my lady.”
“Before my sister and I may enter and visit in good conscience, we must know that our servants and team shan’t be left out in this horrid weather. Is there room in Lord Ravenglass’s stables for our animals and a bracing cup of tea for our people?”
“Tell heryes, Thebson,” came a familiar voice from deeper within the house. “Have Thomas and Mr. Turnmaster see to the lady’s request.”
“Yes, my lord.” The butler disappeared before ushering Fortuity and Grace inside.
“Bloody fool.” Matthew hurried to help them enter and accepted the bundle containing Fortuity’s stories from her footman. “Thebson has never been able to manage more than one task at a time, and, as you can well see, his prioritizing of duties leaves much to be desired.” He turned back to the open doorway and addressed the Broadmere servants. “To the back of the townhouse is the mews. Mr. Turnmaster is my head groom and will see to the team. Thomas will bring you both into the kitchen for tea and food.”
George bowed. “Thank you kindly, my lord.”
The coachman tipped his hat. “Thank you kindly, indeed, my lord.”
After shutting the door to the gusty, wet weather, Matthew bellowed, “Mrs. Greer?”
Fortuity jumped and squeaked, “What on earth, Matthew?”
“Forgive me for startling you, my lady.” He gave her a curt bow, then glared down the hallway. “Brace yourselves,” he warned, then roared even louder. “Mrs. Greer!”
“Aye, my lord! I be a-comin’!” An ancient matron of considerable girth careened into view from around the corner. Her round face plumped with her ever-widening smile. “Be that yourself, Lady Fortuity? And you as well, Lady Grace? ’Pon my soul, ’tis good to see you both again.”
A comforting rush of happiness washed across Fortuity. She and the housekeeper had formed a bittersweet friendship during the time the dear old woman had helped the Broadmeres care for their dying mother. Fortuity rushed forward and hugged the grandmotherly angel who had concocted numerous poultices and tonics that had brought Mama the only relief to be found during her final days. “It is so good to see you, Mrs. Greer. I hope I didn’t lead you into a poor place of employment when I recommended you to Lord Ravenglass?” She turned and fixedhim with a hard glare. “How dare you bellow for Mrs. Greer? Have you never heard of a bell?”
