Katherine nodded as she sent a quick side glance to her aunt.
“Come, the others are waiting,” Isabel said, and took them down the hall to a large, beautiful parlor.
Katherine forced a smile as the other ladies in the group turned. Margaret, Duchess of Crestwood, and Adelaide, Duchess of Northfield, were Isabel’s other companions. To Katherine’s surprise, the ladies each held a child in their arms. Meg’s child was older, a boy with a bright smile who giggled incessantly at Adelaide’s little girl, dressed in a pretty gown with a pink ribbon in her blonde hair.
Katherine’s stomach clenched and she pushed away all the natural reactions to seeing the children except for surprise. Most Society women she knew, women of wealth and title, hardly interacted with their children. But here Adelaide and Meg were, smiling and cuddling their babies joyfully.
“And here she is!” Isabel said, drawing Katherine in.
The other two women looked up and their smiles were just as welcoming as Isabel’s had been earlier. She was promptly introduced to James, named after his beloved uncle, and Madeline, then governesses were rung for and the children were taken away for their naps.
Soon the ladies were all seated and talking about everything and nothing at once. Katherine was surprised at just how…easy it all was. No one ever looked at her askance. No one used the opportunity to casually ask about her late husband or his death.
The three ladies were simply kind and welcoming, funny and sweet. They were exactly who she would wish to be friends with under any circumstance.
Isabel settled back, her hand coming to rest on her belly beneath her gown. “I must say, I will be glad to depart London next week.”
Katherine tilted her head. “Going back to your estate with Tyndale now that the Season is winding down?”
“Oh, we’ll retire soon enough to our estate, yes. To winter and welcome the baby.” Her cheeks brightened. “But first we will join Emma and James—Abernathe—for a final gathering at their estate.”
Meg’s eyes lit up and she shot Katherine a quick glance. “Are you going to ask her?”
Katherine exchanged a look of confusion with her aunt, but hadn’t the chance to ask anything before Isabel giggled. “I’mtryingto be subtle.”
“Subtly is overrated,” Adelaide said over the edge of her teacup. “Be direct.”
Isabel shook her head and met Katherine’s eyes with a smile. “If you hang about these ladies for more than ten minutes, they will influence you in such wicked ways. Emma couldn’t be with us today, as she and James are preparing to depart to ready the estate. But she wished for me to convey an invitation.”
Katherine blinked. “An invitation?”
“She would like for you to join our party at Abernathe. Both of you. Imagine it, Katherine! Ten days away from London, amongst friends.”
Bethany leaned forward, her face lit up. “That sounds wonderful.”
Katherine smiled but didn’t respond to the offer as she got up and went to the window to look out at the garden. Once again, she was torn. Were the duchesses being kind, offering her help? Or was there something more sinister afoot in their kindness?
Isabel was at her elbow in a moment, and both women glanced back to where Bethany was still chatting with Meg and Adelaide. “Are you well?”
Katherine worried her lip. “I’m sorry to be rude. It is a wonderful invitation. I know your group is quite exclusive and others would fall all over themselves to be involved in this gathering.”
“But you’re nervous about why?” Isabel pressed.
Katherine nodded. “I am, a little.”
“The best practice is honesty, I think. After our talk last week,Isuggested inviting you,” Isabel said, holding Katherine’s stare so that she could truly evaluate Isabel’s motives. What she saw was pure, genuine warmth.
“Why?” she asked slowly.
Isabel cast another glance back at the others. “I was thinking about you since I visited you and told you of Roseford’s pursuit.”
Katherine blushed and shifted. “I see.”
“Emma told me he will not be there. He prefers to stay in London. That made me think of how nice it could be for you to come with us. You will be with friends, and obviously Society would know you were included…”
“Which would help me,” Katherine said softly.
Isabel nodded. “As you said, everyone is clamoring for an invitation to Abernathe’s. And the best part of it all is that you won’t have to face Robert. He is a creature of whim at times. If he doesn’t see you for a couple of weeks, he may decide to entertain himself in some other way.”
