Chase provided the very best of nurses, but he and Bethany were reluctant to leave the dowager baroness alone for more than a day.
“Of course, I will,” Collette answered, wishing already that she wouldn’t have to wait until the following summer to become an aunt. “He is going to be so happy and make for the best father in the world. Besides that, you two could have some time alone.”
“But I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“You never have! Even if you did, you’d have every right—what with all that you and Chase have done for Diana and Sarah and me—even for mother. I’m just so excited for both of you.”
Collette spent the next hour asking all sorts of questions about the changes she was going to experience, how Bethany would feel if the child was a girl or if it was a boy, and then both commiserated with one another for missing their sisters and their own mothers. So much had changed for all of them over the past year.
“Where will you spend the end of your confinement? Here? I’d think your mother will wish to be with you.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Bethany tapped each of her fingers onto her thumb, doing her counting thing that she did whenever she wasn’t completely comfortable. She was the eldest daughter of the Earl of Westerley, and her mother, the dowager countess, wasn’t the warmest of ladies. “But for now I need to finalize my plans for Chase. I imagine the weather will have cooled too much for us to bathe in the sea, but I’m looking forward to the fresh air.”
Embroidery all but forgotten, both ladies faced one another, feet propped on the settee between them and discussed every detail that popped into their minds.
When a contented silence fell, Collette smiled. She’d been devastated to be sent away from Miss Primm’s and today was the first time in nearly a month that she’d felt happy about anything.
Bethany leaned forward and squeezed her hand. “I am so glad to see you smile again. Yourgenuinesmile, not the strained one you’ve had since you came back from Miss Primm’s. I’ll have to remember when you are feeling low, all I need to do is promise you a niece or nephew and you perk right up.” There were times her sister-in-law could practically read her mind.
“Is that Collette laughing, by chance?” Chase stepped inside, looking as handsome as ever, if not a little windblown. From the moment Collette had first met her brother, shortly after their father’s death, she’d been drawn to his charisma and warmth. Nothing had legally compelled him to even so much as acknowledge their relationship. In fact, he’d had every reason to ignore their very existence. But instead, he’d not only accepted them, but he’d eventually invited them into his life. Chase had brought sunshine in a time of mourning, and she would forever be grateful to him for that.
She owed him everything.
“I’m hopeful we hear that sound more often.” Bethany didn’t miss a beat as she tilted her head back for her husband’s kiss.
“It has been rather quiet around here now that Diana’s married,” Chase commented, absentmindedly clasping his wife’s hand in a way that allowed his fingertips to tap along hers. “You’ll be happy to hear, Collette, the father of an old friend from Eton has extended an offer for you to teach at the village school near his estate. It seems the woman who’d formerly held the position has run off with the local blacksmith and they’re willing to take almost anyone.”
“Not just anyone, of course.” Bethany corrected him, wincing. “Any school would be lucky to have Collette. Since she’s been here, I have an entirely new appreciation for Latin.”
“As have I. Unfortunately, I doubt they’ll place much importance on that.” He held up a finger. “But it is a legitimate post, and they don’t care one wit about Collette’s position in society.”
Collette frowned. She’d felt like an utter nobody ever since returning to London, and that hadn’t bothered her, but… “Exactly where is this school, and when must I provide them with my answer?”
Now it was Chase’s turn to wince. “Dumbarton. He says they need an answer as soon as possible.
“Dumbarton?As in the far reaches of Scotland?” Bethany’s dismay echoed Collette’s.
If she accepted a post in Scotland, Collette would be several days’ drive from everyone she’d ever cared about and everything that was familiar to her. For the first time, and for very practical reasonsonly,she almost wished she’d accepted the Duke of Bedwell’s proposal.
Almost.
It seemed she was running out of options.Electio, optio.But she stopped such thoughts before allowing herself to fall into a bout of self-pity.
She was not completely without choices.
“It’s too far,” Bethany said, but Collette felt her brother’s watchful gaze.
“Is it too far, Cole? You don’t have to take it. You are always welcome here—you know that. We could try bringing you out again next spring.” She shot him a glare and he added, “Or not.”
She could not, however, depend on her brother forever.
But…Scotland?And not a town that was anywhere near the border—but very, very distant Scotland.
She’d miss everything—and everyone! She’d miss spending the holidays with Sarah and her mother. She’d miss the birth of her first niece or nephew! She might as well move to the Americas!
“He and his wife plan to leave London a week from tomorrow. They’re happy to take you back with them at that time.” Chase rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “To be perfectly honest, Cole, I’ll be disappointed if you take it. Not disappointed in you, but for myself, for us, as we would miss and worry about you every day. Perhaps you’ll see things differently after spending a pleasant evening entertaining our guests. No one will judge you if you change your mind about teaching. A night spent in the company of others might be just the diversion you need to gain a new perspective.”
Not likely. The prospect of several hours making polite conversation and avoiding Bethany’s matchmaking was not one Collette looked forward to.
