“Girls, can you stop the talking in the hallway? I am working.”
They looked at each other, before erupting into peals of laughter and then quickly disappearing before they got into more trouble.
* * *
“I trust that you have been holding up well?” Phillip, the Duke of Trowbridge, asked Christopher.
Phillip had convinced Christopher to come out to meet him for tea, providing a much-needed change of scenery.
“You know I am not one to dwell in my sorrows for long.” Christopher managed a weak smile. “My focus is on the twins, for now.”
“I can imagine how great of a change it must be to have children around the house. Luckily, you’ve always been a natural at dealing with them.”
“That’s what I used to think.” Christopher laughed without mirth. “How are things at home with Esther and the children?”
“Oh, it’s been going well. Esther asked me to send her regards.”
Christopher smiled. It had been a while since he had last seen her. “I hope to visit as soon as things settle with the children. As soon as I find a governess.”
“Perhaps I can help. The governess we have for our children must know someone. I can get you into contact.”
“That would be perfect!” Christopher replied enthusiastically.
“In fact, it would be best if you spoke to her yourself. We have a dinner planned for tomorrow night with a few guests—a lot of them having children of their own. You should come. It would be a good opportunity to find out if anyone knows if there’s a governess available.”
“Phillip…” Christopher grinned. “This has been one of your best ideas to date. I shall see you there.”
Phillip laughed at his friends’ theatrics. “Seven sharp.”
* * *
Frances fumbled with the front of her dress. She had arrived at Trowbridge Estate with her family at the invitation of her sister.
Albina Cooper did not miss a single dinner she was invited to by her oldest daughter, as her guests often included people from high society.
“Straighten your back, Frances,” she hissed right before they walked in.
Harriet muffled a laugh at the exchange, and then when Albina was out of earshot—already having deserted her daughters to meet with the guests—she repeated mockingly, “Straighten your back, young lady. Or no man will even think of marrying you.”
Frances laughed, too. “Where is Esther?”
After the tumultuous week she had, she wanted nothing more than to spend some time with her oldest sister—someone whom she considered a motherly figure.
“Busy with her guests. Being a duchess is no easy task.” Harriet grinned. “I’ll get us something to drink to pass the time.”
A few moments later, Harriet returned with two glasses of lemonade. Frances sipped on the cool liquid, grateful for the relief it provided from the hot summer night.
“Frances! Harriet!”
Esther finally spotted her two sisters and raced over to them, wrapping them up in a hug. “Oh, I am so happy that you could make it.”
“Happy to see you, Your Grace.” Harriet grinned, holding up her glass.
Esther had outdone herself in hosting this intimate gathering. As Frances glanced around, looking at all the different guests who were in attendance, her eyes suddenly landed on a figure standing by the grand fireplace.
The color nearly drained from her face.
“What’s the matter?” Esther asked, noticing the sudden change of her sister’s expression.
