Uncle Andre playfully wagged his finger. “Our naughty minx told us what happened. Such goings-on in Three Bend Lake—a place I’d never heard of until our Brian was shot.”
Cora raised her hands and spread out her fingers, moving them like a marionette master manipulating puppet strings. “You’re just perturbed that you weren’t able to interfere up there.”
“He made up for that lack,” Brian growled in a tone of mock frustration. But he winked at Cora.
Uncle Andre’s eyes sparkled. “I believe the role of matchmaker suits me.” He gestured for them to enter the other room.
Ivy didn’t know whether to feel hopeful or horrified.
They headed into an elegant but comfortable double parlor. Two side-by-side velvet sofas as wide as beds with plump pillows and rounded arms looked comfortable enough to nap on. Persian carpets covered the polished wooden floors. Two wingback chairs in front of a corner fireplace surrounded in green marble provided another comfortable seating area. Balloon-backed side chairs with needlepoint covers were scattered around the room for easily arranging in seating groups, depending on the number of people. And, of course, books packed a nearby bookcase.
The Bellaires didn’t immediately take seats, instead seeming to give Ivy a chance to find her bearings and look around.
“Your home is beautiful,” Ivy murmured. “I’m looking forward to perusing your books.”
“That will take weeks,” Cora joked.
Rose placed a hand on Ivy’s arm. “I’m so glad you’re here. I know how much Cora missed you.” She shot her great-niece a glance of mock sternness. “Although, now I know why she hasn’t mentioned you much over these last months. I attributed her uncharacteristic reticence to her interest in a certain special patient,” she bestowed a teasing glance on Brian, “and then being busy with her nursing cases.”
Cora squeezed Ivy’s hand. “When I told her about you, Auntie Great looked like she was going to scold. But then she got a look of reproof from herhusband,” she directed a saucy look at Uncle Andre, “who kindly pointed out that I’d never actually lied, and, therefore, didn’t have anything to apologizefor.”
Their teasing and immediate acceptance were a balm to Ivy’s wounded spirits, melting the numbness that she’d carried since yesterday. No longer able to control the pain welling up, she burst into tears.
With a distressed expression, Uncle Andre enfolded her into a hug. “There, there, my girl.” He held her gently, patted her shoulder, and let her cry for a few minutes. “I know you’re hurting. But I have a feeling everything will turn out just fine.”
Embarrassed, Ivy stepped back, her hand covering her face. Before she could reach for the handkerchief tucked into her sleeve, Uncle Andre pulled out the one from his pocket and handed it to her.
His monogrammed handkerchief was large and finely made, far better than the smaller ones women used. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose.
He waved for her to keep it. “Let’s sit. I believe tea is on the way.”
Brian moved the two wingchairs from in front of the fireplace over to face the couch, keeping a low table between them. The Bellaires thanked him and took their seats.
Cora gestured for Ivy to go ahead of her to take her place on the sofa, then sat beside her.
Brian claimed the space on Cora’s other side.
Three Negro women, two of them about Ivy’s age, appeared carrying silver trays. The housekeeper Tilda, and her two daughters, Milliana and Stephania, Ivy surmised. Cora had told her Tilda had some Indian blood, and the beautiful cheekbones that added distinction to her face and that of her daughters attested to that heritage.
Uncle Andre looked up. “Milliana, is my daughter awake?”
“I just peeked in on her. She and the babe are still asleep. Do you want me to wake her?”
“Oh, no,” Ivy interjected. “Please let her rest.”
The young woman glanced at her employer for confirmation. When he nodded, she started helping set out the tea items on the low table in front of them.
Ivy chose a dainty sandwich, some kind of fish paste by the faint smell, and apetit fourand set them on her plate.
“Delia is eager to meet you. But we insisted she nap when the baby does. As for the rest of the family, Joshua is out on a pastoral visit, and Micah is at school. He’ll burst in on us soon and eat everything left on the tea tray.”
“And more besides,” Rose said with a proud smile. “He’s reached that age where he’s about to sprout up.”
“Probably tower over me,” Andre said complacently. “Although, I’ll miss the young scamp that wormed his way into my heart from our first meeting.”
“Well, now, you have a granddaughter to spoil.” Cora took a bite of her sandwich.
“Oh, I intend to do so.”
