“Whatever for?”
“For leaving London so abruptly. For failing to tell you where you could write to me, if you wished. For failing to ask if I might write to you while I was away. Worst of all, for leaving you to the wolves with no explanation whatsoever at Lady Duncan’s Ball—”
Eugenia stiffened.
“I don’t want to discuss Lady Duncan’s Ball, if you don’t mind.”
Her words came out far more clipped than she’d intended, but she meant them just the same. She wanted to forget that Lady Duncan’s Ball had ever occurred at all. Lord D’Asti released her hand then, like a man who’d accidentally grabbed a hot coal, and clasped his hands behind his back.
Eugenia hated herself for being so waspish, for misdirecting the anger she still felt about Lydia, and unleashing it on poor Count D’Asti instead. The man had only been trying to apologise, and what had she done? She’d all but thrown his apology back in his face. Eugenia took a deep, shaking breath and reached over, laying a tentative hand on his shoulder as she looked up at him.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” She pressed her lips together and darted a quick glance at Susan and Lord Seabury out of the corner of her eye. “What happened at Lady Duncan’s Ball wasn’t your fault, and I’m not angry with you at all. I’m—”
Ashbrook’s front door opened, and the butler — Barstow — peered out at them.
“Lady Gainsbourne and Lady Billington are expecting you!” The butler’s declaration was obviously intended to spur them into motion, so Eugenia let her explanation die unfinished on her lips as she followed Susan and Lord Seabury into the entrance hall. “If you will all kindly follow me, Lady Gainsbourne, Lady Billington, and young Miss Wingfield are waiting for the ladies in the family drawing room, and Lord Billington is awaiting the gentlemen in his private study.” Barstow paused and gave Susan a warm smile. “And if I may say so, it is lovely to see you again, Lady Seabury. We’ve missed you since you married and left us.”
Susan returned his smile.
“I’ve missed you, too, Barstow, and Mrs. Stebbins, as well.” The butler bowed, then, and turned to lead the way to the drawing room. Susan looped her arm through Eugenia’s and explained. “Barstow and Mrs. Stebbins followed my Mama from Gainsbourne to Briarwood, then from Briarwood to Ashbrook after the new Lord Gainsbourne fired the entire staff when heinherited my father’s title.” Susan cleared her throat, then. “Do you know why Georgiana summoned us here, Barstow?”
“Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you, Lady Seabury. I’ll not be ruining Lady Billington’s fun.”
The butler let out a hearty chuckle, and Susan rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help smiling.
Eugenia and Susan shared a look of barely contained excitement. What could be so important that Georgiana had summoned them away from a house party? In the sitting room, Lady Gainsbourne, Susan’s younger sister Eliza, and her elder sister Georgiana all rose to greet them, taking turns with warm embraces and kissing both Susan and Eugenia on their cheeks.
“Will there be anything else, Lady Gainsbourne?”
The butler stood stiffly in the doorway, dutifully awaiting his orders before he was to guide Lord Seabury and Lord D’Asti to the study which Edward used when he visited his mother-in-law at Ashbrook.
Lady Gainsbourne smiled, her eyes dancing with excitement as she settled back into the wing-back chair she’d been lounging in when they arrived.
“Yes, please have Mrs. Stebbins bring some fresh tea and biscuits. Thank you, Barstow.”
The butler bowed and stepped backward out of the room, pulling the door shut as he went.
“So, what is your news, Georgiana?”
Susan bounced impatiently on the balls of her feet as she eyed her older sister.
“Yes,” Eugenia chimed in. “What news have you for us?”
Georgiana blushed and smoothed her hand gently over her slightly swollen stomach, highlighting the as-yet small bump that her cobalt gown had been doing a good job of hiding.
Eugenia felt joy and excitement explode in her heart as she realised the truth of her sister-in-law’s condition.
“You’re increasing?”
“Yes!”
Georgiana beamed at them, her delight at carrying Edward’s first child apparent in her expression. Susan took a moment longer than Eugenia to register the news.
“A baby. I’m going to be an aunt!”
She smiled broadly and pulled her sister into a fierce hug.
“Oh!” Eugenia let out a gleeful gasp and reached over, squeezing Susan’s hand. “I’m going to be an aunt, too! And soon we shall both have a precious little niece or nephew to dote on and spoil!”
