“Yes, it is, and it cost your father a fortune, so do be careful in the coach, won’t you?” Diana said with a teasing grin.
“Where is Cousin Daphne?” Anthony asked, half-expecting the youngster would be included in the night’s entertainments.
“I sent her home with her brother after they finished their classes this afternoon,” Diana replied. She glanced up at Adam. “Apparently your father didn’t realize how talkative nine-year-olds can be when they’ve been given permission to be so.”
His head dipping down as if he was attempting to avoid a sword swipe, Adam said, “I’ve learned my lesson.”
“Does that mean you no longer want a daughter?” Anthony asked in concern. Although he hadn’t welcomed the idea of having a younger brother or sister when he learned his mother was with child, the idea had grown on him, especially when he considered Dahlia might have a babe in the next year. The two babies would occupy the Aimsley House nursery at the same time.
“Oh, I still want a daughter,” Adam assured him as he led them to the front door. “But only at breakfast and dinner. Mayhap at tea.”
Diana cast a quick glance in his direction as Hummel helped her with her mantle. “And if it’s a boy?”
Adam chuckled as he escorted her to the Aimsley town coach. “A boy?” He scoffed. “This babe will be a girl,” he insisted.
Anthony and Andrew exchanged amused glances before they stepped into the coach.
Meanwhile, at Norwick House
“I can’t find my gold slippers,” Dahlia complained as she entered Danielle’s bedchamber. “Do you have them?”
Sitting perfectly still at her dressing table whilst Peterman used the curling iron on her hair, Danielle regarded her sister’s reflection in the mirror. “They’re in the dressing room,” she replied. “Do you have the silver slippers?”
“Right here,” Dahlia replied, as she dropped the shoes onto the floor next to Danielle.
“This is a very bad idea,” Danielle remarked, mentally counting how many seconds Peterman held the hair in the iron.
“Why do you say that?” Dahlia asked as she stepped in front of the cheval mirror. She smoothed the gold sarcenet overskirt of her blue satin gown before slipping a foot into a gold slipper.
“Mother told Lady Aimsley which gowns we were wearing, and I’m fairly sure she did so because Anthony always wants to know so he can wear a matching waistcoat,” she replied. “If I’m wearing your gown, it means his waistcoat won’t match.”
“Both gowns are blue,” Dahlia replied. “Besides, you look gorgeous in silk de Naples, and I do not.”
Danielle scoffed. “You’re being ridiculous. We look the same.”
Dahlia was about to argue but realized she couldn’t win. Except for their hair, they did look alike. “Are you nervous?”
“Only that my hair is about to burn,” Danielle replied. “Peterman,” she scolded.
The lady’s maid let the lock of hair out of the iron and stepped back. “That’s the last one, my lady. I’ll just pin up these last curls, and you’ll be ready to go.”
“Why should I be nervous?” Danielle asked as she turned to regard her sister with a furrowed brow.
“We’re to be announced. Go down the stairs on the arms of our betrothed. Dance the first dance with them. Everyone will be watching,” Dahlia replied, obviously anxious at the prospect.
“If we leave now, we’ll be one of the first ones there, and we’ll be the ones watching everyone else descend the stairs,” Danielle argued.
“Only if Anthony and Andrew arrive when we do,” her sister reminded her.
Danielle grinned. “I’m not nervous,” she stated. She sobered. “Davy? What is it? What’s this about?” She waved for Peterman to leave them alone, and the lady’s maid dipped a curtsy and scurried from the bedchamber.
“Anthony made love to me,” Dahlia blurted.
Danielle blinked and then giggled. “You say that as if you never thought it would happen,” she whispered. “I did wonder at your high color the other night. And you were babbling.” When her sister continued to stare at her as if the world might be ending, Danielle added, “You are in good company. Andrew and I made love Saturday.”
Dahlia’s eyes rounded. “How come you didn’t tell me?”
“I’m telling you now. I wasn’t about to say anything the other night with Mother and Uncle and Father in the parlor.” She winced. “Besides, Father probably knows what we did.”
