Lucy said, “But I should be happy to enquire amongst the staff to see who might be able to assist you.”
“Humph. I guess that will have to do. Now, will you rub my temples with some eau de cologne? I feel a headache coming on.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
* * *
Word of the latest development had spread throughout Grayson Manor within an hour of George announcing that this evening was to be a special dinner. The servant’s grapevine was most effective at spreading breaking news. And everyone, including the Duke and Duchess, was most anxious to attend what might prove to be a most entertaining evening. Even Ann and Charlotte were sufficiently diverted from their disappointment at not being asked to marry Beaumont to be dressed and ready for dinner long before it was time to go down.
“I hear we are to have a special guest,” Charlotte said to Ann as they were heading down to the drawing room before dinner. “Might it possibly be a new suitor?” she speculated.
Ann was bored and fanned herself nonchalantly as they headed down the staircase. “It would seem unlikely. Otherwise, Mother would have announced it and been fussing all over us to be presentable.”
Charlotte sighed. “You are most likely right.”
Betsy came trailing after them, stretching her arms in the air to relieve a kink in her back—most unladylike.
As they entered the drawing room, they saw George standing by the fireplace talking to an unknown gentleman—and a very handsome gentleman—all the daughters thought to themselves. And most surprising—Lucy was standing next to him.
Mother and Father were also present. Father was consulting his watch, and Mother was seated, brushing down her dress, and seemingly waiting for something to happen.
When the daughters entered, Father looked up and said. “Ah, and might we go to dinner now? I am not accustomed to eating this late. George, will you please explain to us what this is all about? Who is this gentleman?”
George turned to his assembled family and said, “Miss Lucy has had a great surprise today. Her darling brother, Harold, whom she thought was lost in the fire that made her an orphan, has sought her out, and, as you can see, is very much alive.” The family members registered looks of surprise but did not respond verbally. “And I suggested he narrate his adventures to us this evening after dinner. He has been lost for sixteen years, and I imagine he will have quite an interesting tale to tell.”
“And we are to eat dinner all of us together?” Her Grace asked with some astonishment.
“Of course, if he is to entertain us with his story, the least we can do is welcome him at our table?”
“But Lucy…” Her Grace started to say but was stopped when George raised his hand and announced.
“It is time to realize that Miss Lucy has been a part of this family for many years. She deserves to be treated as one of us—at least for this evening. Can we all agree upon that?”
Ann looked askance and began to fan herself rapidly. Betsy beamed, and her Grace pursed her lips and twitched her head.
“And I just want to eat,” Father announced and headed toward the dining room. The rest following.
* * *
The Duke, at the head of the table, had Harold seated to his right and George to the left. Lucy was seated next to her brother, and Betsy sat across from her.
Lucy was still aglow from rediscovering her dear brother, but she also noticed something she had not seen before—Betsy was also aglow. It was clear that she had been taken with her brother. This was the first time Lucy had seen Betsy attend to any of the gentlemen who came and went from Grayson Manor.
Lucy leaned slightly across the table and asked, “My dear friend, can it be true? Have you finally found a young man to interest you?”
Betsy blushed. “Oh, my, does it show?” she asked anxiously.
“It does.”
“I do find your brother very handsome. But I do not know him yet. Do you think he is an honorable man?”
Lucy inclined her head. “I hardly know him myself. We were children when we were separated, and I have no idea what sort of man he has grown into. However, the fact that he searched for me says something about him. And all the interactions we have had so far indicates a fine gentleman.”
“A gentleman, think you?” Betsy cast a glance toward her mother. “Might mother think him a suitable suitor for me?”
Lucy chuckled. “Perhaps. But only time will tell. We have only reunited today, and I have no idea what his plans or intentions are for the future.”
Betsy then said. “Do not say anything to him about me yet—and most certainly not to Mother.”