“Oh, it is my sisters. They will hardly mind,” Maggie laughed as she flung the door open wide. “They’re here.”
“Everything all right, Your Grace?” Yates asked, catching Theodore’s attention. He looked away from his wife, turning to face his footman. Yates had been accompanying him inthe study, pouring out his morning coffee as he prepared the accounts.
“Of course.” Theodore knew he should return to his work, but his gaze slid back to Maggie.
I have never seen her quite like this before.
She ran out of the door, scurrying down the steps and onto the drive.
Theodore placed the accounts book back in his study then turned to follow her out.
“Are we finished for today, Your Grace?” Yates called after him, amusement in his voice.
“We are,” Theodore called back.
“Usually nothing could tear you away from your work!” Yates laughed.
“Nothing ever will,” Theodore insisted, knowing that he made no sense as he walked out of the house, following her onto the drive.
December had truly arrived as snow had started to fall. The light flakes fell about them, not settling on the track road yet, though it bundled in the borders and on the trees nearby, like clumps of cotton.
Through the mist of falling snow, the carriage had come to a stop and Maggie’s sisters were all hurrying out. She embraced each one of them in turn, being especially careful as she hugged Evelina, who was now showing more than ever with her baby bump.
There was such conversation and laughter from the sisters that Theodore could barely distinguish one word from the next, until they had reached his side.
One of the sisters halted sharply. She looked at Theodore, wide eyed, and terrified.
I know that look. It’s how most people look at me.
Maggie clearly noticed. She took hold of her sister’s hand.
“Ah, Louisa, is all well?” When Margaret saw exactly what had frightened her sister, wellwho,she cleared her throat. “Come, it’s time you all met my husband properly.”
Evelina let the others move forward. Maggie had to almost drag Louisa by the hand, who had dug her heels into the ground of the pebble driveway and appeared most reluctant to move anywhere.
“This is Theo. Theo, these are my younger sisters. Louisa,” she gestured to the one who had been particularly terrified. “Alexandra.” The middle sister was drinking in the sight of grand house. “And Penelope.” There were clearly lots of questions inher mind, for her lips opened and closed with the need to start asking them.
“Welcome to our home.” Theodore bowed in greeting to them.
Louisa bobbed a curtsy, avoiding looking him in the eye. Alexandra was the politest of the three, curtseying deeply.
“Thank you. That is very kind,” she said delicately.
“I hope you are treating our sister well,” Penelope, the youngest, said suddenly, clasping Maggie’s arm protectively. “Is she happy here?”
“Pen!” Maggie rounded her on outrage as behind them, Evelina’s laughter filled the air.
“I hope she is happy,” Theodore said quietly. “You can have a tour of the house if you like and judge whether it is suitable for her yourself.”
“That will not be necessary –” Alexandra began with a polite smile, but Penelope spoke over her.
“What a wonderful idea! Yes, let’s have a tour.”
Theodore had to bite the inside of his mouth not to smile at the way Maggie turned her eyes to the heavens, pleading for patience.
He began the tour slowly, though Maggie did all the talking, with him just walking between the room and the sisters following. They had nearly finished the ground floor, with Penelope still asking lots of questions and Alexandra marveling at the ornaments, when Evelina suddenly declared an idea which caught all of their attention.
“This is quite a place for a treasure hunt.”
