“Truly shocking,” Thalia said playfully.
Seraphine hid a smile behind her teacup while the two ladies exchanged amused looks. It was impossible not to enjoy Lady Kane's company. She possessed a dry sense of humor that frequently caught people off guard. Even Thalia, who considered herself very witty indeed, occasionally found herself outmatched.
“I shall miss having you here on the final day,” Thalia admitted. “Especially because I have something rather spectacular planned.”
Lady Kane groaned dramatically and pressed her hand to her chest as though she had received dreadful news. “You see? Now you are punishing me.”
“Only slightly,” Thalia replied, looking entirely too pleased with herself as she reached for another biscuit.
“What have you planned?” Lady Kane demanded, leaning forward in her chair. “Surely you can offer me a hint.”
Thalia shook her head at once, her curls bouncing with the movement. “If I told you, it would ruin the surprise.”
“Then I dislike it already.”
A ripple of laughter escaped Seraphine before she could stop herself. Across from her, Thalia laughed outright, drawing several curious glances from nearby ladies.
“I assure you that everyone else shall enjoy themselves,” Thalia said, lifting her teacup with an air of confidence that suggested she had already decided the matter.
“They had better,” Lady Kane replied, narrowing her eyes in mock suspicion.
“You are being terribly dramatic,” Thalia said.
“I find it helps me cope with disappointment,” Lady Kane laughed.
That earned another round of laughter from the small group. Around them, the parlor remained lively and bright, filled with music, gossip, and endless cups of tea. Yet as Seraphine listened, her thoughts drifted elsewhere. Another day had passed. Another day gone from the month William had granted her. The reminder lingered at the back of her mind even during moments such as these.
She glanced towards the windows overlooking the front drive. Somewhere beyond the estate grounds, the gentlemen were still riding. For reasons she preferred not to examine too closely, she wondered ifhewas enjoying himself. More annoyingly still, she wondered if Damien had thought of her at all that morning. The realization immediately irritated her.
He is not in the house and still your mind thinks of him. Foolish girl.
Determined to dismiss the thought, Seraphine reached for another biscuit and focused her attention back upon the conversation. Whatever troublesome Duke happened to be doing at that moment was none of her concern. Or at least that was what she firmly told herself as she smiled at Lady Kane's latest story.
Unfortunately, her heart seemed considerably less convinced. Seraphine excused herself from Thalia and Lady Kane and wandered towards one of the card tables positioned near the windows.
A game. That is the distraction I need. Focus on a winning strategy.
A lively game of whist was already underway, and she was quickly beckoned over by Lady Branson and her daughters. The three women had taken a particular liking to her during their carriage journey to Amberhall and had continued to treat her with maternal concern ever since. Seraphine settled into the empty chair beside them, grateful for the distraction. Concentrating on cards seemed far easier than concentrating on her own increasingly complicated thoughts.
“At last,” Lady Branson declared as Seraphine joined them. “Someone sensible has arrived. Hannah has spent the last quarter hour convincing Katherine that she ought to marry a Viscount solely because he owns excellent horses.”
Hannah rolled her eyes so dramatically that Seraphine feared they might disappear entirely into the back of her head. “I said no such thing.”
“You implied it,” Lady Branson replied, arranging her cards with the air of a judge delivering a verdict.
Hannah huffed and leaned back in her chair. “I merely said that a gentleman with fine horses cannot be entirely foolish. I stand by that statement.”
“Of course you do,” Katherine said dryly.
Lady Branson shook her head in resignation.
“My daughters have reduced the noble institution of marriage to horseflesh and stable management.”
“Only because experience suggests it is a useful measure,” Hannah replied.
Seraphine laughed softly as the sisters exchanged triumphant smiles across the table.
Then, she accepted her cards. The easy banter immediately relaxed her. Around the table, the game resumed, accompanied by cheerful accusations of cheating and dramatic complaints whenever someone lost a hand. It was all wonderfully normal. For a brief period, she almost managed to forget the weight hanging over her shoulders. Almost.
