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Odd how thinking of him only weeks ago would have made him sad. He was still sad, he supposed, but it no longer ached as it once did.

Indeed, lately Freddie had wondered what Jules might think of his current situation. He was quite certain his brother would have liked Pippy. Indeed, he would likely have been the first to encourage Freddie’s hasty decision. But he might not be so keen on the idea, now that the joke had worn off. But that was Jules.

Freddie shook the thoughts away and returned his attention to his sister. “We thought to play outside.”

“Who thought to play what outside?” Ari asked as she hurried into the room with a frame in her hands. She set it on her father’s lap. “I was telling Papa about the shell art I made yesterday.” She smiled down at her father. “Isn’t it lovely? Pippy helped me lay it out. It’s a picture of the constellation Orion.”

Her father lifted it up, peering at it from every direction. “This is fine work, Arabella. It’s readily apparent that it’s Orion.”

Ari preened under the praise. “Thank you, Papa. Although some of the praise must go to Pippy.”

“You need not give praise if it’s not earned, dearest,” he grumbled.

Ari’s brow creased. “But it is earned. I had the shells in all the wrong places. Pippy is the one who drew out the constellation in its correct form. She also helped me find the right-sized shells.”

His father said nothing more. But Freddie did not miss his constant looking at the frame—although it was difficult to tell if it was in admiration or to find fault.

“Now, what is being played outside?” she asked with a glance toward the window. “You know it’s snowing, do you not?”

Freddie grinned. “Indeed, I do. But it will only add to the fun.”

She watched him. “What fun?”

“We are to play shuttlecock in the snow,” Evie said before Freddie could.

Ari’s eyes lit just as Pippy’s had. Although his reaction to Ari was quite different than to his wife.

“I thought to ask Lord Finsbury and Lord Stanhope also,” he said.

Now Evie’s eyes brightened. That was new...and unexpected. He wished he knew what it meant. Would Pippy know?

“Am I invited?” his father asked. “I noticed you did not include me in your invitation.”

“Of course you may come. I simply thought you would decline.” Lud, he hoped his disappointment was not written all over his face.

The snow had not let up any as Freddie and Pippy walked out the doors and onto the terrace.

“Do you think we’ll be able to play? It looks quite deep,” Pippy asked as the others filed out behind them.

“Your wife makes a fine point,” Stan muttered as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his greatcoat.

“Where’s your sense of adventure?” Fin asked, nudging his shoulder into Stan’s.

“Perhaps you should listen to your friend, Weymouth. Heaven only knows, you never listen to me,” his father mumbled.

Freddie looked over his shoulder. “Anyone who does not wish to participate may return inside.” Was it too much to hope that his father accepted the invitation?

Lord Kentwood stayed where he was. “I’m staying if everyone else does. I don’t wish for any harm to come to your sisters.”

“I’ll look after them, my lord,” Pippy said.

His father shook his head. “Thank you, but I’ll look after my daughters myself.” His tone wasn’t as biting as it had been when he first arrived, but no one would mistake it for kindness.

Pippy pinched her lips shut.

Freddie scowled at his father. Why could he not treat her with the respect she deserved as the daughter of an earl and as Freddie’s wife?

“What are your plans, Freddie? Did you suppose us to play right there?” Ari nodded to the foot of the terrace stairs.