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“Is she calm?” Millie asked.
“Yes. And yes.” Asquith glanced from side to side. “As far as I know.”
“As far as you know?!” Eliza echoed. “What do you mean, as far as you know?”
Millie’s gaze narrowed. “You promised!”
“I am watching out for her,” he said. She just didn’t want to be seen.
Changelings were widely known to simply disappear.
“If you were watching out for her as you promised,” Eliza countered, “then you’d be able to tell us how she is faring.”
He searched his strategy-exhausted mind for some detail he could truthfully provide.
“She was radiant at Lady Hampton’s conversazione.”
“Lady Asquith took her to a conversazione?” Nettie asked, sounding more than a little envious. “Now I am jealous!”
“The event was not as intellectual as you might think,” Asquith replied. “I’m sure the conversation at D’Acre House that night was equally stimulating.” He turned to Eliza. “By the way, I am sorry I could not accept your invitation.”
“I understand,” Eliza said dryly. “I can see how the Hamptons would take precedence over your own family. As a matter of fact, you missed a lovely evening,”
“I, of course, was there with Harbury.” Cassie slanted Asquith a significant glance. “I would never pass up a chance to spend time with my sisters.”
“I heard half the ton descended on Hampton House,” Eliza said. “Your choice was interesting, as you, like Adrian, loathe a crush.”
“Eliza!” Emily scolded. “My brother is a wonderful conversationalist.”
“And you are a loyal sister,” Eliza replied. “He’s easy with us because he loves us. Especially you, Piccola.”
“I confess”—Emily wrinkled her nose and smiled—“I like he still calls me little.”
“It’s sweet,” Eliza agreed. “But Asquith still has not explained.” She turned back. “Why did your mother decline?”
Asquith swallowed. “I would assume she had already accepted the Hamptons.” Or not. Perhaps she had known about the Lord Chancellor’s presence. Perhaps that was what I have done my part had meant. “Who knows why my mother does anything.”
Millie snorted. “She does, I suspect.”
Eliza lifted her chin. “Well, four long weeks is ample time for Lenora to flower. Please tell Godmama I would like her to return my sister.”
Not yet. “She’s another week left.”
“I’ve changed my mind,” Eliza replied. “I want her back now.”
Asquith had felt Emily’s quietly assessing gaze throughout Eliza’s surprise attack. But not until the mischievous young lady’s eyes began to sparkle did his anxiety spike.
“Eliza,” she said in a particular tone of voice, “you must remember, eventually Lenora will leave us for good.” She pinned Asquith with a look. “Once she has a husband, that is.”
Every pair of eyes shifted toward him.
Eliza’s eyes narrowed. “Is she to have a husband?!”
“What haven’t you told us?” Millie demanded.
“Shh,” he glanced around. “No one has yet applied for her hand.”
“Applied,” Millie said derisively. “As if Lenora were a situation.”
