“Yes,” Seraphine answered at once, forcing herself to meet her sister's gaze.
“Is he treating you well?” Rosaline pressed, gently patting Annie's back as the child attempted to grab a lock of her hair.
Seraphine managed a smile that felt far more convincing than it truly was. “He has been perfectly civil.”
It was not technically a lie. William was many unpleasant things. Manipulative. Calculating. Self-serving. But uncivil? No. He hid his cruelty behind politeness far too effectively for that.
Rosaline continued watching her, her expression thoughtful. She had always been entirely too perceptive.
“He is not causing trouble?” she asked quietly.
“No,” Seraphine replied, perhaps a little too quickly.
Rosaline's eyes narrowed further. “Are you certain?”
“Rosaline,” Seraphine said with a sigh, leaning back in her chair.
“What?” Rosaline asked innocently, though the look on her face suggested she knew exactly what she was doing.
“You are staring at me.”
“Because you are being suspicious,” Rosaline replied.
“I am not.” Despite herself, Seraphine laughed. The sound eased some of the tension that had begun gathering in her chest. Determined to steer the conversation elsewhere, she waved a dismissive hand through the air.
“The truth is…” Seraphine began.
No, I cannot tell her, not yet. She is with child and I do not want to put worry on her.
“The truth is, having our cousin take over our family home has simply reminded me that I need to marry eventually,” she said. “I should like a home of my own and not have to think of such things as cousins taking over my home.”
Rosaline nodded immediately. “That is hardly shocking,” she replied, smiling faintly.
“Indeed. Somewhere nobody can tell me what to do. However if I could have it all, I would marry for love, not simply for a home,” Seraphine added, lifting her chin with exaggerated dignity.
A laugh escaped Rosaline. “That is a less reasonable ambition.”
Seraphine grinned despite herself, and Rosaline smiled back, though a trace of suspicion still lingered in her eyes.
Fortunately, Annie chose that precise moment to launch her recaptured sock across the room.
The sisters burst into laughter. The sock became the center of attention. And just like that, the conversation moved on.
For the remainder of the evening, William and his ultimatum were forgotten.
At least temporarily. Which suited Seraphine perfectly.
Chapter Six
Find a husband.
The following morning, Seraphine entered the breakfast room with a specific goal.
Preferably one who possessed a title, a respectable income, and no alarming tendencies toward threatening ladies in dark gardens.
Surely that was not asking too much. The long breakfast table was already crowded with guests. Gentlemen discussed hunting plans, ladies exchanged greetings, and servants moved quietly through the room carrying silver coffee pots and platters of food.
Seraphine immediately spotted two promising prospects. Lord Richards sat near the middle of the table, handsome and agreeable, with a respectable estate in Yorkshire.
