“I apologize. It is just a habit.” Pippa’s eyes twinkled. “After all, I have known you since you were in leading strings.”
“Can we not talk about me in leading strings?” Livy requested.
“As you wish.” Pippa tilted her head. “By the by, who was that striking lady you were conversing with before I arrived?”
“Lady Charlotte Fayne,” Fiona volunteered. “She is here representing a charity today.”
Pippa’s brow furrowed. “That is curious, since her name is not on the list.”
Livy exchanged glances with the other Willflowers. “Curious indeed.”
“What is the mission of her charity?” Pippa asked.
“Something about giving ladies a noble purpose,” Fi said in an offhand manner, then smoothly changed the topic. “Any luck recruiting for the Hunt Academy?”
“We have had some interested volunteers,” Pippa replied. “But we could always use more help, particularly in tutoring the students in reading and writing.”
“I would be glad to assist,” Glory said earnestly. “In addition to English, I am fluent in French, Chinese, and German. My Italian is not quite up to scratch, but I am working on it.”
Glory was the linguist of the group. As she was a quarter Chinese from her papa’s side, she had a special interest in China’s culture and language.
“Thank you, Glory.” Pippa looked over at her booth where potential candidates were lining up. “Duty calls, I’m afraid. Hopefully I shall see you all soon?”
“I almost forgot,” Livy said. “Will you and the earl be attending our supper party this Saturday?”
“Oh dear, I forgot to reply, didn’t I? How rude of me.” Pippa bit her lip. “I shall have to consult Longmere. He has been, um, in demand of late.”
This time, Livy knew she wasn’t imagining the strain tautening Pippa’s pretty features.
Not wanting to add to the other’s distress, she said, “If your schedule permits, I do hope you both come.”
“Thank you, Livy. It was lovely seeing you girls.” With a flustered smile, Pippa headed off.
“Pippa doesn’t quite seem herself, does she?” Fi murmured.
“She does not,” Livy said with a frisson of worry. “What do you suppose is the matter?”
“According to theon-dit, Pippa’s papa has no particular liking for his son-in-law.” Fi was the expert ontongossip. “That could cause tension.”
Since Livy had overheard her mama and Mrs. Hunt discussing the matter, she knew that Mr. Hunt did not approve of Lord Edwin Longmere, who fancied himself a painter and ran with a fast crowd. At the same time, Mr. Hunt loved his daughter and supported her, despite their differences of opinion concerning her husband.
“Perhaps we should pay Pippa a visit and talk to her in private,” Livy said. “She is the sweetest of ladies, and it pains me to see her unhappy.”
The others nodded in agreement.
“Now, what were you saying before Pippa arrived?” Fi asked. “About Hadleigh?”
The mention of Hadleigh brought Livy back to her own problems.
“I am going to send him a personal note asking that he attend our supper party. Once he is there, I will endeavor to get him alone again. To convince him that we are meant to be together,” Livy declared. “As Robert the Bruce once said, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.’”
“That is a splendid battle plan.” Fiona winked at her. “It’s not for nothing that you were voted Most Stubborn Debutante.”
“MostDetermined,” Livy corrected.
And she was determined to win Hadleigh’s heart. No matter what.
7
