“Not to mention the chance to do a bit of cooking. I heard Phoebe mention the other day that she’d never had the chance to bake a pie of her own since she was a wee sprat…” Hecate chuckled.
“If she baked pies as a wee sprat, then she probably has some talent where food is concerned. Or she’ll poison all of them. Either way, it does relieve us of a bit of a problem.”
Hecate shook her head. “Finn, you are quite impossible.”
“Thank you. I do try.” He dipped his head in thanks.
Rolling her eyes, Hecate waved away his jest. “In the morning, I shall mention the farm and perhaps I can prevail upon you, Dal, to escort the ladies over to visit? Since you’re the man of their attentions, so to speak.”
Big brown eyes met hers in a sorrowful gaze. “Must I?”
“Buck up, lad. Perhaps it’ll be the last you see of ‘em.” Finn’s amusement showed in his eyes.
“You are a comfort, Mr. Finn.” He paused. “In the same way the hug of an elephant is a comfort.” Dal’s retort had them all laughing.
“Well, I’m for bed. I believe this is a good plan, gentlemen. Firstly, for the Tisdales who are going to be bored, and thus troublesome, very soon. Secondly, it will give me more chance to spend time with Lady Augusta. She should be downstairs by now. I intend to see that happen.” Reaching for her cane, she stood. “I will bid you both goodnight.”
“Sleep well, Hecate,” said Finn.
“Pleasant dreams, Miss Hecate,” offered Dal.
“Thank you both.” She left them to it.
Walking slowly up the stairs to her room, she thought about the odd camaraderie that Finn and Dal had developed over the time they’d spent together at Doireann Vale. In the ordinary way of things, those two men would never have met. And yet here they were, tossing humorous exchanges between them, as if they were lifelong friends.
Her hand drifted along the smooth rail, and she paused, looking around her. Bub sat on the top step, waiting to assume his nightly post at the foot of her bed. The house seemed warm, in spite of the icy wind that had plagued them all day. The wooden panels glowed in the candlelight, the worn carpet offered muted colours but a quiet progress up the stairs, and the atmosphere curled around her like a soft fur wrap.
She hoped Lady Augusta would let such things into her mind. How could onenotfeel better when the house itself was offering its blessings?
*~~*~~*
The Fates conspired to clear most of the clouds on the following morning, which made it much easier for Dal to suggest a walk. The twins eagerly agreed, confirming Hecate’s notion that they’d been indoors long enough.
Informing Hecate that Lady Augusta had breakfasted and dressed this morning, only to decide to rest a little before coming downstairs, Hestia observed that they would not be needed for an hour or two, so a walk would be just the thing.
Phoebe was already talking about putting on her bonnet.
Amused by their enthusiasm, Hecate merely got out of the way and watched from the window of her small parlour as the three unlikely companions set off for their walk.
Finn joined her at the window. “Well, now, there’s something you don’t see every day. A very tall Indian gentleman accompanying two lovely young blondes.”
“True,” agreed Hecate, watching them as they turned the bend in the lane and disappeared from sight. She sighed. “I wonder if Harvey and Digby have any clue what is about to descend on their heads…”
He was close enough behind her that she felt his chest move with his laugh. “I doubt it. These twin delights will appear as if from a dream…”
“And take over their house,” finished Hecate wryly.
“At least they’re getting some fresh air. And that gives us a chance to go back to those plans. We never did get to finish the design, did we?”
He moved away, leaving Hecate somewhat bereft. She liked his nearness.
But he was right. “Very well. Once it’s done we can solicit some bids on the work, so I agree. This morning we should see the end of it.”
Finn walked to the shelf where he had stored the roll of papers, and removed them carefully. Bub strolled in, wrapped himself around Hecate’s skirts and then made for the window, where a smidgen of sunshine was stealing through.
He promptly sat in the centre of it and began washing himself.
“That lad is impossibly spoiled,” commented Finn, grinning at Hecate.
