“Nonsense.” Her father patted her hand. “You have transformed this place. It feels like a home now, not a museum.”
Sophia gazed across the lawn, where their guests had gathered for the afternoon. The garden party had been Edward’s idea, a chance to celebrate the end of the Season and the beginning of something new. Tables dotted the grass, ladenwith refreshments. Children darted between the hedgerows. Laughter and conversation filled the summer air.
Oliver chased Rosie and Nancy through the rose garden, his delighted shrieks echoing across the grounds. Alice watched from a nearby bench, her hand resting on her swelling belly, while Thomas stood guard with the weary vigilance of a father who had learned to expect chaos.
Hugo lounged beneath an oak tree, a glass of champagne dangling from his fingers. A pretty young widow had claimed the seat beside him, her laughter carrying on the breeze. Hugo smiled and said something that made her blush, but his eyes held a distance that Sophia had not noticed before. A restlessness. A searching.
She filed the observation away for later.
Near the refreshment table, Mr. Colborne stood in animated conversation with Lord Brimsey’s physician. The two men had struck up an unlikely friendship over the past weeks, bonded by their shared interest in medical advances and their mutual affection for the Brimsey family. Mr. Colborne caught Sophia’s eye and raised his glass in a subtle toast.
She smiled back, her heart full.
“Sophia!”
A familiar voice cut through the crowd. Sophia turned to find her sister hurrying across the lawn, skirts lifted to avoid the grass, her face alight with joy.
“Lily.” Sophia embraced her fiercely. “You made it.”
“Barely.” Lily pulled back, her eyes dancing. “Aunt Margaret insisted on stopping at every inn between Dover and London. I thought we would never arrive.”
As if summoned, Aunt Margaret appeared behind Lily, her traveling dress immaculate, her expression caught between disapproval and curiosity. She surveyed the garden party with the critical eye of a woman who found fault with everything but occasionally discovered something worth praising.
“The grounds are acceptable.” She sniffed. “Though I would have chosen different flowers for the borders.”
“It is lovely to see you as well, Aunt Margaret.” Sophia kissed her cheek. “Come. Let me introduce you to Edward.”
She led them across the lawn to where Edward stood with Oliver, the two of them examining a particularly impressive beetle that the boy had discovered in the grass. Edward looked up as they approached, his face softening at the sight of his wife.
“Your Grace.” Lily curtsied with exaggerated formality. “I have heard a great deal about you.”
“All terrible, I hope.” Edward’s lips twitched. “Otherwise, Sophia has not been doing her job.”
Lily laughed. “I think I shall like you very much.”
Oliver tugged at Edward’s sleeve. “Uncle Edward, is this the aunt who traveled all over the world?”
“This is Sophia’s sister, Lily.” Edward crouched to Oliver’s level. “She has been to France, Italy, and Spain.”
Oliver’s eyes went wide. “Did you see any dragons?”
“Sadly, no.” Lily smiled down at him. “But I saw a very large lizard in Naples. It was almost as impressive.”
“Can you tell me about it?” Oliver grabbed her hand. “Please?”
Lily allowed herself to be dragged toward a nearby bench, already launching into an elaborate tale of Italian wildlife. Aunt Margaret followed, her expression suggesting she had opinions about the accuracy of Lily’s account.
Edward slipped his arm around Sophia’s waist. “Your sister is charming.”
“She is trouble.” Sophia leaned into him. “But the best kind.”
They stood together, watching their family spread across the lawn. Lady Brimsey had joined Aunt Margaret, the two women settling into conversation with the ease of old acquaintances.
“Did you hear about Lady Whitmore’s daughter?” Aunt Margaret’s voice carried across the grass. “Engaged to the Earl of Hartington. They say Lady Fairhart arranged the match.”
“Lady Fairhart is everywhere these days.” Lady Brimsey nodded sagely. “Half the marriages in London can be traced back to her influence.”
“Remarkable woman.” Aunt Margaret sniffed. “Though I cannot approve of such secrecy. A lady should be known by her works.”
