Bridget smiled. “That is understandable, Your Grace. After all, you are a busy lady.”
“Mrs. Jones,” the dowager said over her shoulder, “bring in some tea and biscuits. These ladies look famished.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Priscilla said. “But what about the men?”
“Don’t worry about them.” Bridget tapped Priscilla’s arm. “My husband and the duke went to find some men in town who could bring the dowager’s coach back to the estate.”
“Oh, splendid.” Priscilla was glad Gavin was mindful of the wreckage, but she couldn’t wait to see him again. She wanted to find out how his visit with the Birmingham police went and if they were going to investigate the fire.
Priscilla and her sisters moved to the couch. It didn’t take long before the housekeeper brought in the requested tea and refreshments. As they sipped tea and chatted about what Bridget and Felicia had been doing lately, Priscilla couldn’t stop touching her sisters in some way. The shock of seeing them was still buzzing through her head. She also wondered how she would tell them about her upcoming nuptials. Hopefully, the dowager wouldn’t say anything before Priscilla had a chance.
After two hours of visiting, the sisters walked the grounds. The rain had brought out the pink buds on the trees, and spring was in the air.
Homesickness twisted in Priscilla’s stomach. She missed being at home with her sisters. Their humble home had many trees on the land. Springtime was her favorite season.
“Tell us, Prissy,” Felicia said, grasping her hand. “How do you like being the companion of a duchess?”
Laughing uncomfortably, Priscilla shook her head. “It has been quite entertaining, especially since her grandson has been here.”
“I heard the dowager mention that you had been on your way into town to purchase some gowns. Will you be attending a ball soon?”
Priscilla held her breath. This was the perfect opening for telling them the shocking news that she still hadn’t adjusted to herself. “Not anytime soon, Felicia. I suppose there is a special occasion coming, but I don’t know when it is or even if it’s really going to happen.” Her sisters stopped and looked at her curiously. “You see,” Priscilla continued, “I’m… getting married.”
“Married!” they both exclaimed.
Priscilla shrugged. “Yes, as unbelievable as it sounds. Apparently after I sprained my ankle and the dowager’s grandson took me to the woodsman’s cottage to get out of the rainstorm, we were alone for too long, and the dowager is afraid the servants will gossip.”
Bridget gasped. “You are marrying the Duke of Englewood? Adrian’s cousin?”
“That is how things are looking, yes.”
Felicia shook her head. “Out of all the sisters, I never thoughtyouwould be the one to cause a scandal.”
Priscilla scowled at her sister. “Felicia, nothing happened.”Except for that passionate kiss that would never leave my dreams.“But we put ourselves in that situation, and, well…Now we have to pay for the mistake. The duke doesn’t want my reputation to be ruined.”
“I’m relieved he decided to do the gentlemanly thing.” Bridget patted Priscilla’s cheek. “However, by the way he talks about you, I don’t believe he is just marrying you to save your reputation. I think he admires you.”
Priscilla’s heart swelled. “Well, I certainly admire him.”
“Tell us about him, Prissy.” Felicia grinned. “Is he charming? Did he sweep you off your feet?”
“More importantly, how does he treat you?” Bridget added sweetly. “Or will Nettie and Felicia have to come live with you so that you have friends for the rest of your life?”
Stopping her stroll, Priscilla pondered her sisters’ questions. Remarkably, Gavindidtreat her well, even when he had been upset and pushed himself into her room. She hadn’t been frightened of him. Not once. And he kissed so very passionately that she had lost her mind. “No, I don’t think Felicia and Nettie need to come to live with me after I am married. The duke and I became friends before we were in the cottage, and we talk well with one another.”
Felicia snickered behind her hand. “Prissy, your cheeks are red. By chance, have you let him kiss you?”
More heat rushed to Priscilla’s face. She quickly turned away from her sisters and started back toward the house. “I’m not saying any more,” she told them over her shoulder. “So don’t ask. If I feel like going into detail, I will, but not until then.”
Priscilla just prayed that Gavin would come back soon. She really wanted him to get to know her sisters before the wedding.
Her stomach churned from nerves. She was actually going to do this, but still, a part of her wanted to fight it. If only she knew how to feel about this, but she didn’t dare talk to her sisters—although Bridgetmightunderstand.
If Bridget and Felicia ever knew about the doubts going through Priscilla’s head, they would find them humorous. And really, she would be laughing along with them.
*
The hour waslate when Gavin returned home. Once he found men to help him with the wrecked coach, he had sent Adrian back to the estate to visit with the others. It was good to see his cousin again, as well as Priscilla’s sisters, and as much as he had wanted a chance to visit with them before they left for home, the coach came first… as well as trying to figure out why bad things were happening in his life lately.
