“In a way, I suppose.” Letitia removed her bonnet. It was going to be a long trip and she’d rather not develop a headache this early. “But I completely agree with her staying behind. Her safety is more important than my comfort. Besides, I have you.” She grinned at Hecate.
“I’m not accompanying you to the privy and holding your gown.”
“Good God, I wouldn’t expect you to.” Letitia blinked. “And I’ve never asked that of Harry either.” She shuddered dramatically. “That’s just awful, Hecate. Where did you get such a notion?”
“I read the papers. Of course some of them are quite old…” admitted Hecate. “But one does like to have at least a passing knowledge about events in our country, Letitia. Sometimes I feel quite ignorant.”
“Hmm. I cannot disagree with your wanting to stay informed, love. But as for having a maid assist me in the privy? No, thank you.” She wrinkled her nose. “I cannot imagine being that helpless. Or so dismissive of the poor woman involved. Ugh.”
“Perhaps you’d better arm yourself, then. Becausedismissivemight well describe any number of people we may be on the verge of meeting,” cautioned her sister.
“I wish it were not so, but I believe you’re right.”
Letitia leaned back in her seat, adjusting to the movement of the carriage. Would she be seeing James? She couldn’t hide from that thought. And her book was done. Ready for another submission to Mr. Lesley. She was at the point now where she wondered why she had started on it. Why she had ever imagined she could be a writer.
And why such an outrageous topic had forced itself onto the page through her pen.
Editing had been difficult to impossible sometimes, when the things she had written now reminded her of stolen moments in the FitzArden Hall parlour. She’d forced away the tears and refastened the locks on that door. It was a visual image that helped maintain her self control. Most of the time. Nobody knew of the nights she awoke in darkness, only to sob as if her heart was breaking.
Stupid girlish nonsense.
*~~*~~*
It had been an uneventful, if long and cold, journey to the door of Lady Venetia Allington’s home in Mayfair. But their welcome was just the opposite—warmth billowed from the effervescent Lady Venetia herself as the weary ladies alighted at her doorstep. Kitty was close behind, dancing with excitement, hugging Letitia and Hecate enthusiastically as she introduced them to her aunt.
“Now, now,” laughed Lady Venetia. “Let the dear girls breathe. Yes, Morton, do bring in all the luggage and take it up, if you would.”
The chaos of their arrival soon lessened, and Letitia found herself in an elegant suite of rooms, adjoining her sister’s. Which fact became evident when Hecate’s face appeared through a connecting door. “Oh look. Isn’t this delightful?”
Letitia turned from her bag on the bed. “Indeed. Most luxurious.” She glanced back at the maid. “I think just a simple gown, if you would. We’re both tired from traveling, so no evening entertainments for us.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” nodded the maid. “My Lady said as how you’d probably prefer an early night.”
“I hate to agree because it sounds so…provincial,” grinned Hecate, “But she’s quite right.”
A tap on the door heralded Kitty. “Do you have everything you need?” She pirouetted into the room. “Isn’t it lovely here?”
“It is,” agreed Letitia.
“Do you dance everywhere, Kitty?” politely inquired Hecate.
“Don’t start…” Kitty landed on her heels and pointed at her youngest sister.
“Me?” blinked Hecate innocently.
Letitia sighed. “I hope you’re going to tell us that dinner will be soon, dear. We’re both quite hungry. And we both want to hear about your adventures, of course. If you’ve no engagements this evening, that is…”
“Of course not,” protested Kitty. “How could I even think of deserting my sisters on their first night in town?” She glanced at the gown Letitia had just slipped into, and then at Hecate’s simple wool ensemble. “Besides, I think we need to dress you both before we venture out.”
Hecate met Letitia’s look with one of resignation. “Oh dear. She’s going toLondonizeus.”
The meal was, by London standards, a simple one, and Lady Venetia didn’t hide the fact she enjoyed it very much. “So lovely to be able to eat and talk and laugh without concern,” she said, finishing her pudding with evident enthusiasm. “I do adore family times. Not that I get that many, but now that you girls are here, I hope there will be more than just one.”
“I hope so too, Aunt Venie,” smiled Kitty. “But you know we must introduce my sisters. We’re all far too old for a come-out, but I think we may be able to engender some interest about their arrival.”
Letitia touched her napkin to her lips. “Why would anyone be interested in us, Kitty? We’re surely country bumpkins as far as Society is concerned.”
Kitty chuckled. “Well, crass though it is, now that Aunt Venie is as rich as Golden Ball, anything she does and anyone she presents is of interest.”
