“Six. Cora and Maddie, both five and ten, are twins. So, you see, by marrying me, you’ll gain all the sisters you’ve ever wished for.”
Six sisters. What would that be like? “You sound as though you get along well with them.”
“For the most part. It was easier before I was appointed their guardian.” His frown was so fleeting that she almost missed it.
She nodded. “With your father’s passing.” Victoria had provided what little information she and Lord Rosewood had discovered about the earl.
“Yes.” His nostrils flared.
“Do all of you resemble one another?” Although different in age, Priscilla’s brothers were often mistaken for one another—until people realized the differences in their characters, that was.
“All but the twins. They are identical to one another but might as well have been born of different parents than the rest of us.”
Priscilla tucked that information away. Her mind flicked to Lady Hardwood, recently widowed.
“And your mother, is she in good health?”
“She is. And for that, I’m grateful. Are you close to your mother?” He turned the subject to her.
Priscilla had once imagined her and her mother to be close. But after Priscilla’s behavior with Lord Lockley, and the resulting tragedy, their relationship had changed. Priscilla doubted her mother would ever overcome her disappointment.
But she couldn’t tell him any of this. Allison feared and barely tolerated her father but had her mother wrapped around her little pinky.
“My mother adores me,” Priscilla answered. Those were the precise words she’d heard Allison say on several occasions. “Even if my father is a tyrant.”
Lord Hardwood frowned, and she noted that he didn’t appreciate her reminding him of her father’s part in all of this. Knowing this bothered him was good to keep in mind.
Because making him less amenable to marrying her—to marrying Allison—was her purpose, after all.
She dropped her gaze to her hands, which she’d clasped loosely over the abundant lace of her skirts.
In truth, Lord Hardwood likely would have experienced greater success if he’d simply arranged to meet Allison randomly and then used his good looks and charm to court her.
The knowledge should not have bothered Priscilla one iota. So why did it?
She hugged her elbows in front of her.
“But you will come,” he said. “You will meet them for yourself.”
“We will come.” Thank heavens for Chloe! With her practical, no-nonsense outlook and loathing for all things relating to marriage, she’d keep Priscilla in check.
“Is it possible that you and your chaperone could be ready to leave this afternoon?”
“Most certainly not.” Priscilla stiffened.
“I will send a carriage back for you then.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
This particular detail was something the teachers and Miss Primm had agreed upon beforehand. Priscilla and Chloe must travel in their own vehicle so they could depart the earl’s estate without having to be dependent upon him. The moment he accepted her refusal, she and Chloe could make a hasty exit.
“We will make the journey to Cliffhouse at our leisure. Miss Primm has vehicles for just such occasion.”
“I can hire outriders—”
“We are set with a most competent driver and outriders, my lord.” Priscilla stared at his cravat. It was much easier to act unaffected when she wasn’t gazing into his lovely eyes.
Even if she also appreciated his firm jaw and the glimpse of his neck, which was smooth but for a hint of his whiskers.
