Page 112 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
Meriel frowned. “But….”
Louisa shook her head. “Let’s go outside. It’s a beautiful afternoon.”
Though several houseguests strolled through the garden, the sisters had the terrace to themselves. Louisa sent for refreshments, then sat on a bench between her sisters and took turns grinning at them.
“What?” Meriel said.
“I’m just so happy to see you both. And Victoria, your news is such a blessing.”
Victoria put a hand to her small stomach. “It is. Mama is thrilled. Lady Wade invited her to come this weekend, but she had already made plans to travel to Scotland with a friend.”
“She might have passed Simon’s mother on the way,” Louisa said. “Wait until you meet her.”
Victoria frowned. “You don’t sound enthused.”
“She’s not enthused about me. I’m quite positive she thinks I’m here to take advantage of her poor blind son and force him into an unwanted marriage.”
Meriel gasped. “Our reduced circumstances of last year made her think so poorly of you?”
Louisa bit her lip. She did not want to worry them by explaining the revelation of her reputation as a fast young lady.
“Papa’s death changed so many things,” Victoria said. “But we have survived and come through it for the better.”
“But it took me a long time to forgive him,” Meriel said quietly.
Louisa took a breath. “And it took me a long time to forgive myself.”
On each side of her, her sisters took her hands.
“What are you talking about?” Victoria asked in disbelief. “You have nothing to forgive yourself for.”
“I know. But…Papa used to talk to me, and after he was gone, I thought perhaps I should have seen his despair and done something to help.”
“We’ve all thought that, Louisa,” Meriel said patiently.
“But Simon made me see…” Louisa trailed off as her sisters leaned forward to give each other a knowing glance. “What?”
“What about Simon?” Victoria asked with obvious hope in her eyes.
Louisa ignored it. “When I first arrived, I thought he was in despair too, but he wasn’t. He made me realize that until someone asks for help, it’s hard to know just what they’re thinking. In the end, I don’t think any of us could have helped Papa.”
“And you had an actual discussion about such a personal topic with Lord Wade—or Simon, as you call him?” Meriel asked.
She was saved from having to answer by the appearance of little Stephen, running from the house toward the garden. Meriel came to her feet, but Georgie was right behind him.
“We’re going down to the lake to watch the race,” Georgie said. “Do you ladies want to come?”
“Race?” Louisa said.
“Leo bet Simon he could beat him in a rowing race,” Georgie said, laughing. “I told Leo he was too scrawny, and a bet was born. I think the gentlemen are already down at the lake.”
“If you don’t mind,” Meriel said, taking hold of Louisa’s arm, “we’ll watch from here.”
“I can’t see anything from here, Aunt Meriel,” Stephen said. “Can I go to the lake?”
“I’ll be with him,” Georgie added.
Meriel waved them off.
