Page 16 of Winning the Wallflower's Heart
“La, Brighton isn’t very nice this time of year. Though I wouldn’t mind a holiday.”
“A holiday would be lovely.”
Georgiana stepped into the kitchen, keeping her eyes drawn to the floor, embarrassed to have interrupted the moment.
“Oh, darling!” Esther cheered, her round cheeks bright red and her blue eyes gleeful. “You’ve come just in time.”
“We’re so pleased ye could come visit. Not much to do at the moment.” Hester patted the empty chair beside her. “Come sit. We’re telling each other’s fortunes.”
“I don’t mean to intrude?—”
“Intrude?” Hester tilted her head. “Ye live here now, Georgiana. Ye aren’t intruding. We’re so happy to see ye. You’ve no need to ‘ide away all day.”
Yes, she might have been hiding, but where else was she to go?
“I’ve come for some tea, and then I will be on my way?—”
“Nonsense, child,” Esther said, patting the seat. “Come, we’ve a fresh pot of tea here, and I’ll pour. You’re just in time for Hester to pull my cards.”
Hester chuckled, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
At that, Georgiana laughed, feeling herself ease a little more into the room and relax into her body. This was her life now. No brother or father. No cold or hunger. But warmth and laughter.
“And I have tarts,” Hester added as if reading her mind.
Yes, the most amazing treacle tarts. She wasn’t unconvinced Ellis had noticed her fondness for the delicious treat and had seen it always available. She never went a day without tarts once they were married.
She sank down into the seat as Esther poured her a cup of tea and Hester plated up a tart. “How does one tell a fortune?”
“It’s in the cards, dear.” Hester smiled, waving her hands over the deck.
“Oh, go on, will you?” Esther winked at Georgiana over her teacup. “Always a dramatic buildup with this one.”
“I don’t have to tell yer fortune now,” Hester teased before the two women broke out in giggles again.
Georgiana was left volleying between the pair, surprised to discover she was laughing as well.
With a flick of her wrist, Hester slipped a card off the top of the deck and flipped it over. Both women’s eyes went wide before Hester tossed her hands up. “Death card. Serious indeed, but don’t fret. This just means change, like finally convincing that husband of yers to wear his waistcoat properly.”
Esther nearly sprayed out her tea, reaching her hand out for Georgiana’s, and giving her a reassuring pat. “Change indeed! Maybe you’ll finally be rid of that hideous wallcovering in your room once and for all. Out with the old!”
Esther reached for the deck, then turned to Georgiana. “Would you like to play along?”
She shivered then, certain her fortune might cast a dark picture over the morning mischief.
“No need, dear,” Hester said. “It’s only for fun. Leave her be, Esther. I suppose it’s time to head to the market?—”
“Yes, please,” Georgiana whispered. She clutched her teacup tightly. It was for fun. A card surely couldn’t dictate her future.
“Make it a good one now,” Hester teased.
“I’ve no say over the cards,” Esther shot back, “but I don’t like to say fortune favors me.”
“And that new red bonnet suits you as well.” Hester stuffed a tart into her mouth. “You’ll need to show Georgiana later. Maybe she would like to visit Bond Street with us one day this week.”
Esther shushed Hester, and again, the two women giggled. Georgiana bit back her own laugh, leaning forward to see what was drawn.
Hester flipped over the card and the two women exchanged a quick, knowing look before they glanced back at Georgiana.
