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William nodded. “It is a beautiful home. But massive.”

“If I were him, I’d sell it and purchase a smaller home,” Penelope remarked. “I wouldn’t wish to live alone in a huge building.” She shuddered. “I’d be sad.”

“Why doesn’t he stay at your parents’?” Vivian asked, her eyes flashing from William to the doorway.

William and Clara exchanged looks, and it was her sister who replied. “Alex and William work together. It makes more sense for him to remain here.”

“Of course,” Vivian replied, feeling silly for questioning them.

Just then, a coachman entered with a trunk and went directly past the doorway to where Vivian assumed Mr. Yarnsby’s accommodations were.

From their tour of Clara and William’s home, there were six bed chambers. She and Clara had decided to share one out of practicality.

“Good morning.” Alexander Yarnsby entered the room. “Ladies. William.” The men exchanged nods, and Clara beamed up at him.

“I am so glad you are here, Alexander. We were just discussing your home and sharing thoughts on living in a large estate such as yours.”

He settled into the chair next to Penelope, which positioned him directly across from Vivian. His gaze moved to hers and lingered for a beat. “Yes. Well, one of the downfalls is the costs of repairs.”

“What exactly needs repair, Mr. Yarnsby?” Vivian asked with what she hoped was a flat look.

The cook’s helper hurried in with a fresh pot of hot water. She smiled at Mr. Yarnsby and poured the water into his cup. “Thank you, Rose,” he said to the older woman who looked on the brink of pinching his cheek.

“I’ll bring you some warm scones, dear.”

Vivian was reminded that he and William had grown up together.

“She always did favor you,” William teased. “I got cold scones.”

Mr. Yarnsby took a sip of his tea and met Vivian’s gaze. “To answer your question, there are always things that need repairing. This time it is the ceiling. The exterior roof was fixed during the spring. There was a huge leak, which left staining. It has to be redone now.”

“And the floors,” William added, waving his hand in a circular motion. “And don’t forget the broken windows on the second floor.”

Both men chuckled. “That, my friend, was your doing,” Mr. Yarnsby replied.

The men explained how they’d been shooting ducks and William had become overzealous and ended up shooting out several windows on the back of Mr. Yarnsby’s home.

“What are your plans today?” Penelope asked Clara.

“I wish to decorate cards. I brought paper, notions, and such from London. Join me?”

Vivian gave her sisters a pointed look. “I thought we planned to start our scrapbooks.”

“You already have plans today, Miss Vivian,” Mr. Yarnsby interjected.

“I do?” Vivian met his gaze and immediately lowered hers to his mouth. Mortified, she quickly looked away.

“We are to go bird-watching with my aunt.”

The darned birds. She’d forgotten all about that. The man had her brain all muddled, and now, after the most unfortunate of incidents, she was to spend the afternoon out in the frigid cold with him.

“I can’t wait to hear all about it,” Penelope said with an impish grin.

Chapter 6

“That is unexpected,” William said, leaning back in his chair. “Do you really think someone broke into your home?”

Alex looked up from the ledgers he studied. “I am sure someone was in my house. I can’t prove it, really, but it’s a sense I have.”