Lois grinned. “They’re ever so much fun.”
“I’ve always wanted to go to a masquerade.”
“Then make your ball a fancy-dress masquerade,” Lois said. “I’m sure Blanche will help you with the invitation list, but I promise to bring a prince. You should probably oversee the preparations for the party yourself.”
Cordelia thought of her absent-minded mother-in-law, who seemed unable to grasp that America was not another planet. “Good idea.”
Lois waved her hands excitedly. “I promise you that you’ll never lack for friends again.”
“Thank you so very much.”
“I must leave, or we’ll miss the last train,” Lois said, and hugged her. She released Cordelia and then put her hand underneath Cornelia’s chin and raised it. “Chin up, you’re going to be a marvelous countess.”
Cordelia opened the door and Lois swept out of the room. Cordelia sat back down. Somehow just being in the presence of Lois was physically draining. She radiated so much energy and charm and seemed to be so happy with her British husband. Cordelia hoped that she could be half as happy with Thomas.
27
“You can’t imagine all the dust, but at least I no longer have to fear the ceiling will fall on anyone’s head,” Thomas apologized as he gave his cousin a tour of the newly renovated areas of the house.
Oliver laughed. “I can’t fathom the transformation. Ashdown was a complete wreck when I last visited. I take it that your wife’s family was generous?”
Thomas blushed. “Very.”
“She seems like a charming young thing; pretty too,” Oliver said dispassionately. “Are you now grateful for my advice?”
He felt his face go redder. “I am…thank you… I can repay the money you gave me now.”
Oliver waved his hand. “No, no. I said it was a gift. I am just so pleased how well it has all turned out.”
“From a financial standpoint, things could not have gone better, but from a personal standpoint…”
“Trouble in the nest already, eh? Still pining for the fair Penelope?”
Thomas instinctively said, “No” and realized that he meant it. Whatever feelings he thought he might have felt for Pen had faded quickly. He wondered if he’d ever really cared for her at all. Or if he’d only imagined himself in love.
How he felt for Cordelia was entirely different. It was a level of passion and intensity that he’d previously not known existed. He thought of confiding to Oliver about the oddity with the roof tiles but feared it would come across as silly or overreacting. He’d never seen anyone in her room, and the roof tiles could have been an accident. He had no proof of any malicious intent.
“No. It’s only that Cordelia is having a difficult time with the staff. Things are done so differently in America.”
Oliver waved this aside too. “Lois had the same problem when she first arrived. She used to say that our butler was a positive fiend; but eventually they got used to her ways and she got used to theirs. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it, Thomas.”
“I worry that Cordelia isn’t happy here.”
“She will be, once the London Season starts,” Oliver assured him. “American girls aren’t used to living in the country. Once you’re in town and going to parties every night, you’ll see her perk up.”
“You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Is she with child? Lois was often quite melancholic when she was expecting.”
“Not yet.”
“You’re both very young. I expect you’ll have an heir in the next year or two,” Oliver said.
Thomas nodded and managed a sort of smile before leading Oliver to see where the new electric lights had been installed and the places for the new central heating system.
“Now that your structural renovations appear to be completed,” Oliver said, “you really ought to try and replace some of the art that was lost.”
“Cordelia ordered several paintings from Paris,” Thomas said. “They are still in crates in the ballroom. We plan on hanging them when the carpet has been laid.”
