“I am not ill, Iain.” She covered his hand with her own and then blushed. To all of them, she admitted, “You would think a woman had never had a baby before. He’s just a wee bit overprotective.”
Iris began to cry tears of joy, sobbing into her handkerchief and laughing as she went to hug her daughter. “Oh, Rose. I am so glad for both of you.”
Lily waited until her mother pulled back and then reached for her sister’s hand. “This is wonderful news. I wish you both all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you. I wanted to tell you sooner, but Iain insisted that we come and share the news on our visit.” She narrowed her gaze at her husband. “I think he has the half-brained notion that I must be secluded for most of the year, tucked into bed where I must do naught but stare at the walls.”
“It would be safer than staying at Ashton,” he admitted. “Our tenants are surviving, but the rest of the country is still facing famine. I fear that they may try to steal the food we have. I won’t risk Rose’s safety.”
“I will not be separated from you,” she insisted. “It is my place to remain in Ireland, and we will stay there together.”
But Lily could see that her husband did not feel comfortable with the idea of Rose being in danger. “We will discuss it further when you feel better.”
Calvert brought in a tea tray with refreshments, and Iain took a sandwich for his wife. Rose sipped at her tea but only picked at the bread crust.
“The first few months are not easy,” her grandmother said. “I remember when I carried Iris. I was sick every day, from dawn until I went to sleep at night. The doctor told me I would only be sick in the mornings. Bah! It was all day, every day for four months.” Mildred smiled at Iain. “A man could never endure what we women face.”
The Irishman’s expression tightened, and he appeared uneasy about Lady Wolcroft’s revelation.
“I cannot say I am enjoying it,” Rose admitted, “but when the baby comes, I am certain everything will be fine.” Iain did not seem to share her confidence, but he did take a chair on the opposite side of his wife.
“And what of you, Lily? Has Matthew’s health improved at all?”
She nodded. “He is better, yes. Though, as you can imagine, he is reluctant to venture back into society.”
Rose met her expression evenly, and Lily didn’t know what to think of that. Her sister seemed to read beneath her thoughts, somehow. She glanced at their mother and then back again, silently conveying the reason for their retreat to Penford. Rose smiled and nodded her understanding.
They were about to go in to supper when Calvert announced, “Lady Wolcroft, your guest, Lady Castledon, has arrived for tea.”
“I didn’t realize she would be joining us,” Lily remarked.
Her grandmother shrugged. “I did not find it necessary to ask permission. If I want Amelia to be my companion at tea, I shall invite her.”
But Lily knew better than to imagine that the two women were innocent. She suspected they were plotting something. But what?
When Calvert returned with their guests, he gave Lily a letter. “Lady Lily, this arrived for you just now.” She thanked him and placed it in her pocket, intending to read it later.
The countess entered the room with her husband, Lord Castledon, and she greeted everyone with enthusiasm. “I was simply delighted to receive the invitation to tea today.” She linked her arm with Lady Wolcroft’s and said, “Mildred and I are having a disagreement. I say we should tell everyone and let them decide.”
Her grandmother rolled her eyes. “Amelia believes she is always right, as usual.”
“Indeed,” Lady Castledon agreed with a bright smile. “But I am certainly open to hearing other opinions. David thinks I intend to interfere in affairs that are none of my concern, but I told him it was nonsense.”
“Of course you will interfere. It’s what you do best, Amelia.” Her husband shook his head as if there was nothing to be done for it. And yet, he did not seem bothered by the notion.
Lady Castledon laughed and winked at her husband. “I am quite good at meddling. I won your heart, didn’t I?”
“You had your sights set elsewhere at first.” David gave a slight smile. “But yes, you did. Even if you did accuse me of having the personality of a handkerchief.”
At that, Amelia crossed over to her husband and touched his cheek. “I met my match, indeed. As for Lily here, I think we could move things along for her.Thatis the subject of my disagreement with Mildred. She believes Lily should find another man, whilst I believe Matthew Larkspur is exactly what she needs.”
“I beg your pardon?” Lily gaped at Lady Castledon, wondering exactly what the woman was plotting.
But Amelia only smiled and turned toward Lady Wolcroft as if Lily had not spoken. “Yorkshire can be quite romantic in the autumn. And I believe Cousin Matthew is very much in love with Lily here.”
Lily flushed at her words, uncertain of whether she wanted to be the subject of Lady Castledon’s matchmaking. She sent a silent plea for help to her grandmother.
Mildred only shrugged. “Lord Arnsbury already made a mess of things. He may not be worth it.Isay she should reconsider Lord Davonshire. He is a future marquess, after all.”
