Page 51 of The Gentleman's Deception

“James?” Lavinia asked.

“Yes, James, our brother,” Susan said. “I know, there are a lot of us to keep track of. You’ll get used to it.”

“Right. James.” Lavinia needed to be a bit more careful about what she said.

Rebecca giggled. “James was here for an entire week a fortnight ago,expecting Lucas to arrive, but he had to go back to Lincoln. Pressing business, he said. And now you’re here. Oh, I wish he could have stayed. It’s soexcitingthat you are here; I can scarcely contain myself. Lucas, home safefrom the war andbetrothed, no less. What fun!” She clasped her hands to her breast.

“Our Rebecca was disappointed about not having a Season this year, you see,” Susan explained. “But you shall have a Season next year, Rebecca, now that Lucas is home. I’m sure of it.Ifyou really want one, that is.”

“Oh, Susan; youknowI do.”

“Yes, darling, I do—as long as you remember that London Seasons aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. They can be terribly dull. I know mine was.”

“There are sights to see, of course, and the gentlemen and ladies look elegant in all their finery,” Lavinia added. “But one can grow tired . . .”

The sisters both looked at Lavinia with interest when her words trailed off. Lavinia had mingled with members of theton, it was true, but certainly not in the same way a young debutante would have been introduced to London Society. “I merely find the country a refreshing change from London at present,” she explained while she gave herself another mental talking to. “I imagine we can find tediousness in day-to-day living no matter where we are.”

They seemed to accept that answer, thankfully.

“How did you and Lucas meet?” Rebecca asked, propping her chin on her hand in preparation, no doubt, to hear a romantic story for the ages.

Lavinia took a bite of eggs and chewed slowly and swallowed before answering. “I saw him across a crowded room,” she began. She would let them imagine what kind of room it was—she certainly wouldn’t tell them it was the public room of the White Horse. “He was tall and handsome,” that was true, “we spoke briefly,” also true, “and then he took me for a stroll,” at her pleading insistence—out of the public room and up to his room so she could avoid being spotted by the Earl of Cosgrove’s cronies.

Rebecca sighed. “And was it love at first sight?”

Susan raised an eyebrow in anticipation of Lavinia’s answer.

What to say?

“Oh, good. Here you are, Lavinia.” The Viscountess of Thurlby swished into the room at that moment, rescuing her from having to answer a difficult question. “I can see Lucas’s sisters have been taking good care of you.”

“Indeed, Mama. She has been telling us how she and Lucas met,” Rebecca said.

“That is a story I should like to hear sometime,” Lady Thurlby said, pouring a cup of tea and sitting next to Susan. “You must promise me, Lavinia. But at present, we have other matters to discuss. Yesterday afternoon, I wrote to Lucas’s other siblings, James and Martha and Simon. I was hopeful when Lucas returned to England that we could all be together, but he felt the need to stay at his wounded friend’s side, and now Martha will have to remain home until after the baby arrives. But I expect James and Simon to arrive shortly after they receive my letters, if they know what’s good for them. Perhaps Lucas has already had occasion to introduce you to Simon, since he has been in London.”

“No, ma’am. I am looking forward to the pleasure.” Lucas had never mentioned any siblings whatsoever during their journey. And Lucas’s brother Simon was living in London? That was a complication she hadn’t anticipated in agreeing to come to Alderwood.

“In the meantime, I think we should begin planning the wedding. You can never start too soon for these types of occasions, I always say. Have you begun calling the banns? Are you planning to marry in London or here at our own St. Alfred’s, with Isaac officiating? Oh, wouldn’t that be lovely, having Lucas’s own brother perform the nuptials. He hadn’t been ordained yet when Thomas and Martha each married. Susan, I shall need you and Rebecca, along with the servants, helping with the cleaning and cooking, you know—we are not above such honest work here in the country, are we, girls?”

“Yes, Mama, er, no, Mama,” Rebecca said, apparently unsure which question she was answering.

“Ma’am, meaning no disrespect, but your son and I have not precisely settled on a marriage date,” Lavinia said. “Perhaps it would be well to wait for Lucas to discuss the matter. He was most anxious about returning home and spending time with all of you after his long absence—and assisting me with Primrose Farm, of course. Those were the priorities, you see, and so I am perfectly content to remain betrothed for the time being.” Trying to stay as close to the truth as possible and wrack her brain for the proper demeanor and etiquette she’d observed over the years was beginning to give her a headache.

“He hasn’t suggested a wedding date yet? You have more patience than I do,” the viscountess said. Then her expression cleared. “No matter. We shall begin the preparations regardless. And we shall have an evening of entertainment for our closest neighbors and friends once James and Simon arrive so that you may become acquainted with everyone and they with you.”

“That would be lovely,” Lavinia said. Oh, but her head was beginning to ache in earnest. What had Lucas gotten her into?

“It would seem a meeting has been going on, Clara, and we were not invited,” Isobel said as the two of them entered the breakfast room.

“There was certainly no meeting I was aware of,” Susan said. “I have merely been breaking my fast, as I do every morning. How about you, Rebecca?”

“The eggs are particularly good today, Isobel,” Rebecca replied.

“I haven’t seen that day dress before, Isobel,” Lady Thurlby said. “Is it new?”

“I have been saving it for a special occasion. And what can be more special than the arrival of a new sister-in-law?” She smiled at Lavinia.

Ah, her smile. Lavinia had perfected that particular smile when she’d played Beatrice inMuch Ado about Nothing—sweet, with just enough acid dripping from it to warn of potential danger. “I’m honored you would think my arrival a special occasion. What a beautiful shade of blue. Very becoming.”

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