Fiona didn’t respond but merely bit her lip and cooed down at her nieces in the pram, waving her fingers at them until Lela giggled merrily.On her little knees, she gripped the side of the carriage and bounced back and forth, babbling incoherently, rocking the pram and infant within.Wee Alice only sucked her fist, unconcerned by the ruckus around her as only a fourth child could be.
She grinned down at them both.She would happily take one of each and maybe a half-dozen more like them.Having been raised among as but one in a large, boisterous family, it had never occurred to her to have anything less for herself.Despite their recent overbearing behavior, she adored being surrounded by the people she loved and all the chaos that came with them.
A quiet life just wasn’t for her, and looking down at the sweet babies in the pram, she was more determined than ever to have it for herself.If only her plan for achieving that goal was unwavering.
Ilona’s words of caution had begun to wear her down.Though she continued to meet secretly with Ramsay, the joviality that had always been a hallmark of their interactions had gone dismally amiss.Instead, he’d been morose.Like a puppy that had lost its favorite toy.Again and again, he insisted that they elope and have done with this ‘foolishness.’The pleasure she had always taken in his company, as brief as it was these days, was fast fading.
It caused her to consider Francis’ suggestion more seriously.Perhaps finding another potential husband here in London would be possible after all.After bicycling with Lord Temple, she’d met him again to ride, on horseback this time, the previous afternoon and well enjoyed his company.Though she still considered him with sisterly care, there was the possibility that her affection for him might yet become more amorous.If not, she had also met several other eligible gentlemen over the past week.
But the very last person she would even pretend to consider would be the man who seemed to find some peculiar amusement in pestering her.
Yes, Eve was right.She was being quite rude to Lord Aylesbury.
“You’re ignoring me,” Eve admonished softly.
“Of course I am,” she retorted as she bent over the carriage and tickled little Lela.“Why would your mummy expect anything less?”she cooed to the toddler in singsong.“When I am a full-grown woman now and not a child to be scolded so?”
“Am I scolding you?”Eve drew to a halt and relaxed into a warm smile.“I suppose I am, but old habits die hard.”
She was ever thankful for Eve coming into her life and her oldest brother’s.Fiona’s mother died giving birth to her, a much-longed-for daughter, after a never-ending string of boys, so Fiona never had much feminine influence until Richard married Abby when Fiona was twelve.Fiona loved Abby as well, but she still saw Fiona as a child, whereas Eve saw and treated Fiona as a young woman.Or at least she always had before.
“It was never your habit, Evie,” she corrected, finally meeting her eye.“So why would you do so now?”
“Lord Aylesbury has enough troubles of his own just now without being treated so abominably, dearest,” Eve said somewhat enigmatically.
“I’m treatinghimabominably?”Fiona responded with a raised brow, surprised at Eve’s unexpected defense.“How terribly amusing.Besides, what troubles might Aylesbury possibly have that would require one to tip-toe about his sensibilities?He’s handsome, charming...rich,” she added as an afterthought.
“All the charm in the world cannot spare a man of woe.”
Fiona frowned at that subdued tone, feeling a worried pinch in her heart that she shook off with a laugh.“Woe?Now I know you are bamming me.Never has there been a fellow so absent of woe as Harrison Brudenall.”
But even as she said it, she remembered the look of haggard despondency she had seen on his face after that fight at the Onslow ball.It had been soul-shattering.And though he had flashed a smile or two the last few times they had met, there was still a somewhat pinched quality about him that wasn’t consistent with the perpetual humor that had once played about his expression.
No, now that she thought about it, that drawn look made her feel that he was rather sad in some way.Defeated.Did Eve know what had caused it?Was that why Harry had come to Eaton Square?
Was she really going to trouble her heart with caring once more for the Marquis of Aylesbury when he spared so little consideration for her?Especially when he had openly confessed his love for another?
Sucking in a breath, she lifted her chin.“Whatever Aylesbury is about, I’m sure it is none of my business.None at all.”
“What happened to make you so embittered toward the marquis?It is not like you to be so callous,” Eve said quietly.
Fiona could only shake her head.“And I’m sure that is none of your business.”
Eve sucked in a breath.Fiona steeled herself against pleading forgiveness for her harsh words, but the tone was something else.“I’m sorry, Eve, to speak to you so.You have been nothing but a friend to me, and I love you dearly, but I will not speak of Lord Aylesbury.”
But her sister-in-law still looked puzzled.“There was a time when I thought...”
“Do not, Eve,” Fiona said quietly, holding her gaze solemnly.“Whatever you think you know about where my affections lie, you are very wrong.”
* * *
Eve watched her youngsister-in-law push the pram into motion.The chromed spoke wheels grinding against the pebbled path once more.Curiosity had long abounded in the family regarding what exactly had happened between Fiona and the marquis in the Haddington House gardens two years past.She’d been surprisingly tight-lipped about it all, and other than knowing that the pair had exchanged words and that Vin and James had both witnessed the remnants of a hard slap across Aylesbury’s cheek, nothing more was known.
Over the years, the incident had slipped from memory as life and time progressed.Only upon seeing them together again had Eve begun to recall that night and wonder.
Curiosity raged, but Fiona was as stubborn as any MacKintosh lad, and Eve knew prying for information would get her nowhere.So be it; there was still another topic that needed to be raised.
“You also did not mention Lord Ramsay was in town.”
