Evelina would know something was wrong and then Margaret and Penelope wouldpry it out of herwith skills that the military should use inallof their engagements while Alexandra made plans that she would never admit to but which would be terrifying and competently thought out.
I am doomed, Louisa thought to herself drolly.I am absolutely doomed. I may as well surrender to it now and at least enjoy my time with them.
That decided, she fixed her hair and ensured that she was otherwise presentable before leaving the sanctuary of her room and going down to find her sisters settled in the drawing room, talking animatedly together.
Evelina was dressed in a lovely gown of dark blue that offset her eyes and was sitting with her arm threaded through Margaret's. Margaret was leaning her head on Evelina's shoulder and itagain struck Louisa that the two of them mustsurelyhave planned to be married to two close friends.
There was never going to be a time when Evelina and Margaret could easily be apart from each other for long.
She paused in the doorway to listen, letting the familiar noise of home wash over her.
"...Eliza then told me that she thought babies were quite lovely but that if it was all the same she would rather not have any!" Evelina was saying as Penelope had both hands clapped over her mouth to stop herself from dissolving into hearty laughter.
"Oh she is so wonderful," she said merrily as soon as she could contain herself. "I am so happy she is feeling more confident and comfortable with herself. She will be quite as forthright as I am before you know it!"
"Let us not go so far," Evelina said drolly. "You are of course my very dearest youngest sister, Penelope, but I would not have you duplicated for the whole world."
Louisa couldn't help but laugh at that. "I do not think that the world could manage it, two Penelopes would have the whole of society turned upside down."
Penelope tipped up her nose pertly. "And it would be better for it!"
"Perhaps, perhaps not," Alexandra said, crossing to embrace Louisa warmly. "Dear sister, it has felt so long since I last saw you!"
When Alexandra wrapped around her Louisa felt as though all of her tension and worry was melted away. It was such a safe and familiar place to be, in her sister's embrace, surrounded by family. Surely nothing could be completely terrible if they were still with her.
"Too long," she said softly, trying not to let them hear the lump in her through. "Too long indeed. But we are all together today, Evelina, Margaret - it is so rare to have your graces with us alone!"
Margaret made a noise that no Duchess wouldevermake and then followed immediately by trying to throw a cushion at Louisa, who ducked and let it fly over her head and be caught by Alexandrajustbefore it could hit Mrs. Brooks in the face.
"Ahem," Mrs. Brooks said slowly, not seeming to be quite sure how to react to a duchess throwing a cushion at her. "The carriage is ready, my lady." Then she curtseyed to Margaret and a second time to Evelina for good measure before withdrawing.
Evelina's eyes were dancing even though her voice was stern. "Now see what you've done, Margaret. Louisa's housekeeper will think she is quite the corrupting influence."
"Nonsense!" Margaret said stoutly, getting up and straightening her gown. "If anyone corrupted anyone,Icorruptedher. I amolder."
"The only way, truly, to be certain to be the corrupting force," Alexandra said dryly as they made their way out towards the carriage. Louisa laughed softly. Everything was so easy with her sisters. Had she ever truly appreciated that when this was all she had to be?
"So," Evelina said as the carriage rumbled along the road to the city. "How is married life?"
"Please do not give us any sickening details about romance," Penelope said, winking at her. "But if he's being mean to you let me know and I willdosomething about it."
Louisa had a moment of trying to figure out what her little sister might do to a fully grown earl when she was distracted by Margaret taking her hand in her own and squeezing it hard.
"Are you happy?" she asked, in the way that only bright, honest Margaret could. She went straight to the heart of the matter, no matter how hard. "Are you being taken care of?"
"Is the Earl being kind to you?" Evelina put in, her voice warm and gentle. "I know the two of you did not form an acquaintancein the best of circumstances, but my dearest Dunmore assures me he is a good man."
"Are you managing at the estate?" Alexandra put in before Louisa could say a word. "They are not overworking you, are they?"
"Or making you unhappy?" Penelope said, threateningly.
"Sisters, sisters!" Louisa held up her hands, only slightly hampered by the grip that Margaret had on her. "Please, be assured that I am very content! I am managing my household, my husband is a kind and generous man and my life is better than I ever dreamed it might be."
As a woman, all of them looked unconvinced and it was so thoroughly ridiculous to be trying to convince them of her happiness when she was indeed notunhappy, butconfusedandtiredandfrustratedthat Louisa had to laugh a little at the absurdity of the situation.
"It is not that I do not believe you, dear Louisa," Margaret said, squeezing her hand again. "I am delighted to hear that it is going so well. But I do remember how difficult it was to be married to a complete stranger. The sudden closeness where there is no familiarity can be so lonely."
"I promise you, Iamhappy," Louisa said, less convincingly than before. She could hear it in her own voice and as their expressions became more concerns she pulls her hand from Margaret to use it to cover her face. "Oh I am not so unhappy,sisters. But my husband is the world's mostannoyingandfrustratingman! It is impossible to understand him!"
