As her father introduced his two sons, Charles and Jacob, Adeline noticed Olivia making her way gracefully down the stairs as her gaze stayed on their visitors. She sashayed toward Adeline and stopped right beside her. Biting her inner cheek, Adeline tried not to laugh. Her sister had taken the time to brush out her ringlets to give their visitors the impression she was a woman instead of a girl. Olivia had gained the attention of both lords.
“I heard you tell my daughter that your carriage broke down not too far from here.” The Baron folded his arms across his chest. “If you would like my boys to take a look at it—”
“How thoughtful of you,” Lord Kentwood said. “However, all we ask is the use of your servants for now.”
Adeline held her breath. A small gasp came from Olivia and her face paled. Inwardly, Adeline groaned. Servants? The Featherstone family hadn’t been fortunate enough to have servants for the past five years.
“I um...” Her father cleared his throat, shifting from one foot to the other. “Unfortunately, my servants... um, well... You see, they are not here at the moment.”
Adeline clenched her teeth.He’s going to lie to them?
“None are here?” Lord Kentwood asked in a tone laced with skepticism.
Her father laughed, shaking his head. “I only have a few, you see, and there was a death in their family, so I released them from their duties for a few days.”
Lord Hanover continued to stare at Adeline’s father in doubt, but Lord Kentwood’s gaze shone with appreciation.
“Baron Featherstone, you certainly have a giving heart.”
Her father’s chest seemed to swell as a grin stretched over his face. He turned to Charles and Jacob. “Collect the tools from the shed and we’ll go with these fine gentlemen to fix their carriage.”
“Yes, Pa,” both Charles and Jacob answered simultaneously.
Pa looked at Adeline. “You and Olivia start making dinner. I’m sure these men will be hungry by the time we’re finished.”
“Yes, Pa.” Adeline glanced at the two lords again. Only Lord Kentwood smiled. The other lord appeared bored.
As Adeline turned to head into the kitchen, Olivia swung around and followed. When they were both inside the kitchen, Olivia released a heavy breath and placed her hand to her chest.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen more handsome men in my life.” She collapsed dramatically on the counter and sighed. “And to think they are going to have supper with us.”
Adeline rolled her eyes. “Not if you don’t help me.”
Olivia straightened slowly. “Ma will be home soon, and she can help.”
“Liv, I suggest you shake those dreams right out of your head.”
“What dreams?” Olivia asked, her eyes widened as a blush covered her face.
“Those men out there are true lords, which means they aren’t going to give us a second look.” Adeline swished her hand through the air. “They have eyes, and I’m sure they can see just how poor we are. In fact,” she stepped closer to her sister, “once they discover Pa lied to them about our so-called servants, those two handsome lords will not want anything more to do with our lying father or his family.”
Frowning, Olivia leaned her hip against the counter. “Do you think we are going to turn into spinsters?”
A feeling of desperate longing squeezed Adeline’s heart. She’d worried that her father’s mistakes would keep her and Olivia from finding good husbands. Indeed, spinsterhood was in her future.
A slight ache throbbed in Adeline’s head. “I pray that won’t happen. I still believe in miracles.” Or at least shewantedto believe.
