The gleam of humor in his eyes reminded her so much of when they were children that it lightened her mood. An image flashed through her mind of the two of them in stealth mode, sneaking into Nellie’s office to pilfer contraband potions. She smiled.
“That’s better.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Know what’s kept me going today?”
“What?”
“Wondering how the future Nellie would account for five missing guests.”
“Didn’t you ask her about that?” Reese lowered her voice. “She said we’ll return at the same time we left.”
“Good.” He nodded toward the footman opening a door where many people were sitting at a long table. Jem said softly, “That gives me more confidence that she’ll be able to send us home. We can’t get back on our own.”
The rightness of his words struck Reese. This was a situation where she had absolutely no control. As much as she might hate it, she could at least accept that she had the choice—make herself ill worrying about it, or adopt Jem’s attitude. How often over the years had his level attitude stabilized her in a tough situation?
They entered the dining room, and a servant indicated two chairs. Reese and Jem took them.
“I have such a surprise in store for all of you,” Nellie said from her seat at the head of the long table. “My guests from America are here early, though one arrived later than the others and will only join us for the ball.” She shot Reese a meaningful look.
Cora had arrived. Reese heaved a sigh of relief. What weird magic that it would pull them all back in time but not together.
While Nellie was introducing the other people at the table, Kaitlyn and Cyrus slipped into the last two empty seats. She had been right. He did not look happy.
“The ladies are all heiresses here to seek advantageous marriages,” Nellie said with that familiar twinkle in her eyes as she met Reese’s angry gaze for a second, “and even the gentlemen are eligible. Now, please, everyone enjoy your meal and the fine company.” She signaled the staff to begin serving.
The guests gave them considering nods.
“So, she’s dragging me and Cyrus into this too, huh?” Jem muttered.
Reese had to fight back a laugh.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” she quoted fromPride and Prejudice, shooting him a sly glance.
“Touché.” The corner of his mouth quirked up.
***
“Remember not to eat too much from each course,” Jem whispered.
“Yeah.” Reese would never forget that first Regency immersion meal when she had done just that. She had enjoyed too much from the earlier courses and had thought she’d burst out of her corset when the servants kept bringing more food.
“I don’t know if you caught the introductions when we entered,” Jem said more loudly. “Lady Ellen Hildebrand, may I introduce my cousin Miss Clarisse Hamilton to you?”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hamilton.” Lady Ellen gave a shy nod.
“Same here,” Reese said. “Lady? I’m guessing someone in your family has a title.”
“My older brother is the sixth Earl of Kellworth,” she said.
“Is he here with you?” Reese asked.
“He is still in London for parliament,” Lady Ellen said.
“House of Lords, I imagine,” Jem said.
“Yes. I am quite interested in learning more about America, though,” Ellen said. “It seems such a wild and rough place, with the natives killing settlers.”
“Itcanbe wild and rough, and not just in the US.” Reese exchanged a glance with Jem but didn’t say anymore. “My cousin is interested in learning how to speak the various English dialects. He finds the study of language to be fascinating. He hopes someday to be . . .” She seemed to search her mind, and then got a wicked grin. “I believe thespianis the term for what he’s interested in.”
Lady Ellen gave a little gasp. “Thestage?”
