“Are you sure?”
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with tears.
Frantic squealing came from outside, followed by barking.
“When, when will the bairn arrive?”
“Early winter.”
The front door burst open. “They’re here!” Gwen cried excitedly. In her arms was a squirming creature.
“Oh, bollocks. I forgot,” Tristan said.
Flick hopped off his lap. “Where did you get that puppy?”
“Uncle Sam brought him!”
Tristan stood. “They’re here already?”
Gwen nodded. “He’s so handsome. You didn’t tell me he was so handsome.”
Tristan rolled his eyes. Apparently notallboys were useless to Gwen. He took Flick’s hand as she giggled with Gwen, and they headed outside to where two carriages were in the process of unloading.
“I can’t house all these people,” he muttered.
“We’ll be fine,” Flick said as she waved. The puppy, a black springer spaniel, ran about the children.
“I forgot about the dog,” Tristan muttered. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”
Flick turned to him. “A surprise? Well, you seem to be the only one surprised.”
Sam approached with Dougal on his back. “I found this lad wandering about. Can I keep him?”
“You can,” Tristan said.
Flick swatted at his chest. “Dougal, get off him. Your hands are filthy.”
Daisy followed, Gwen at her side. Gwen’s eyes wide with amazement as she took in Daisy’s gown.
Tristan smiled uncomfortably. She’d never seen such finery. He didn’t realize it would be such a stark contrast between their lifestyle and that of an earl and countess.
Daisy caught his eye. “Don’t worry. I brought a trunk full of my gowns to be tailored to fit the girls. Felicity said I could.” She put an arm around Gwen. “I grew up with just a brother. We’re going to have so much fun!”
Tristan’s heart lightened as Gwen looked fit to expire with joy. The second carriage opened. Blakewood got out and then handeddown first one, then a second copy of Flick. They rushed at her and the three sisters began to weep and hug. Lady Amelia got out next, smiling and a little teary eyed.
“They talked about this moment the whole way,” she said.
“I hope the trip was tolerable?” Tristan asked. They’d come a long way for this visit.
Sam undid his neck cloth. “Can’t say I enjoyed the last leg in the carriage.”
“We had good weather both on land and sea,” Graham said. “Though the girls did get sick that first day.”
Lady Amelia nodded. “Then they adjusted. They’re shy, but I think I made an impression. Now that they’re out of that dreadful village, we’ll make them proper heathens.”
Tristan chuckled. “I’m surprised her father let you.”
“I didn’t give him much of a choice,” Lady Amelia said. “Felicity said they knew we were coming and her mother practically tossed them into the carriage. She knows this will be good for them.” She looked around the stone façade of Lark Hall. “This is splendid, Chase.”
