Marina looked amused. “I believe she will be the death of our dear Mother if she talks too much about bluestockings in front of her.”
“The thought of my daughter being a bluestocking does not offend me,” Evan said. “There are worse ways to spend one’stime.”In fact, I would prefer it if she chose the company of books over some of the people in society.
Just then, there was a small crash in the hallway before twin girls, with arms linked, came stumbling into the room, giggling with each other. Carlson did not get a chance to announce them. “You are not dead!” one of them said. “That’s good. We were taking bets after we last saw you.”
“Louiza Shirley!” Amelia gasped. “You are old enough to know better than to say such horrid things. Besides, you knew perfectly well that she was alive! She wrote to the two of you as well as to us.”
“Well, we could not know for sure it was her,” the other twin said. “His Grace looks like he has remarkable penmanship as well.”
Evan stiffened at the insinuation that he would do something so cruel.
Marina glanced in his direction before casting a stern look at her younger sisters. “Both of you know better than to say such cruel jests in front of company,” she said.
Louiza looked exasperated. “He is your husband, Marina. Therefore, he is not company. He is family.”
I almost feel sorry for Lord and Lady Shirley. They will have their hands full when these girls debut in society.The girls wereonly sixteen, so they had a couple of years before their debut, but he doubted they would mature enough to keep from threatening a minor scandal or two in their debut Season.
Marina recovered first with a bright smile. “I am so glad that all of you were able to make the journey out here. Please, make yourself comfortable while I ring for some tea. The cook has prepared a variety of sweets to go along with the tea. He prepares a wonderful spread, and I am sure all of you will enjoy it. Bethany, I believe you mentioned some books in your last letter. How are you enjoying them?”
Bethany started to talk about the latest book she was reading. Normally, such a subject would be at least a little interesting to Evan, but at the moment, he could not take his eyes off his wife. Marina rang for tea while she listened attentively to her sister, but she also glanced at everyone around her, making sure no one was getting bored with the conversation.
When Bethany stopped to take a break, Marina said. “That sounds so interesting! Evan, do we have that book in the library? I would love to read it.”
“I do not believe so,” he said. “I’ll make a note to purchase a copy.”
She beamed at him. Meanwhile, Lilly spoke shyly to Olivia, the other twin devil, “I like your necklace,” she said.
Olivia touched the small, simple locket that rested on her collarbone. “Thank you! I bought it from a darling little jewelerin Cheapside. They had all sorts of pretty charms in all sorts of shapes with different jewels.”
Lilly’s face brightened. “Did they have fish necklaces?”
All of the sisters chuckled, and for a moment Evan braced himself for a snide remark. He was ready to defend his daughter for taking an interest in fish, but he did not have to.
“I did not see any on display,” Olivia said, without a hint of mockery in her voice. “But I did see a pocket watch with a ship’s anchor engraved on it.”
Lilly made a face. “That is not a fish.”
“No, but it’s nautical,” Louiza offered.
“What is not-call?”
“Sea themed,” Olivia said as maids brought in the tea spread. “Ships, the ocean, and the like. Regardless, the jeweler does take custom orders. I daresay a fish charm is within their abilities.”
“We took Lilly fishing down by the river,” Marina explained. “Amelia, you should try the chocolate scones.” She waved off the maid, who gestured to pour the tea. “Allow me. I always pour tea with my sisters.”
The maid nodded and curtsied before standing at attention at the edge of the room. Marina started pouring tea, not only for herself, but for everyone else. She worked quickly, adding just the right amount of milk and sugar to each cup, as if she had everyone’s tea memorized.
Amelia picked up a scone and nibbled delicately on it. “Oh, thisisdelicious. I have been craving a chocolate morsel like this for weeks. I am surprised you remembered me mentioning it in my letter.”
Marina smiled. “I am glad you like it. I asked the cook to make it specifically after you mentioned it. Lilly, dear, try to take smaller bites. You can savor the pastry more, and you will not accidentally choke.”
Lilly, whose cheeks were currently puffed out as if she were a chipmunk, quickly took a sip of her tea to wash down the scone. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
“Tell us about the fishing,” Louiza said. “Did you catch a lot of fish?”
“I love fish for dinner,” Olivia chimed in. “I have always wanted to learn, but Papa will not let me. So I am envious. How was it? How many fish did you catch?”
Lilly looked overwhelmed at the rapid questions, and Evan opened his mouth to rescue her, but Marina beat him to it.
