Eyes blue as the summer sky twinkle mischievously from a delicately gamine face framed by dark, wavy locks so very similar to her own. Her younger sister, Beatrice—or Trixie, as they all called her—was the spitting image of their late mother, while Claire took after their father with her curvaceous body and olive skin. Both sisters were of a similar temperament, as well, crackling with fire and wit, although Claire was not as brazen as her younger sister.
Trixie, for lack of a better term, was a veritablehoyden.
Both sisters were well-educated with tutors hired to specifically help them with their studies. However, the younger Rowley was rarely inclined to sit for long hours, bent over her books, and was prone to mischief.
Nonetheless, they both loved each other dearly and very rarely came to disagreements.
“You knew that this is my favorite place in the entire estate,” Claire replied, patting the seat beside her. “Besides, it is much too cold to be out. Now, do tell me why you have been searching all over creation for me.”
Trixie pouted in such an unladylike manner that it wrung out a helpless smile from her older sister.
“I do wish you would accompany me for a jaunt outdoors. I believe that staying indoors all week will have me shriveled up into a disgusting prune!”
Claire wrinkled her nose delicately at her sister’s complaints. Trixie could never be cooped up for too long indoors or her unbridled spirit would chomp at the reins in a desperate attempt to break free, resulting in more widespread damage.
“I do not know how you do it, Claire,” she bemoaned. “I am so weary of staying indoors, I fear I shall fall ill!”
“You will fall ill and catch your death of cold if you go out in such weather,” Claire told her with a wry smile. The snow had not completely thawed out yet and although the weather had grown warmer, it was still too cold to be romping about outside.
And why ever should she risk freezing herself when she could sit in the warmth of the library, perusing her beloved books and drawing sketches of towering edifices and grand houses?
“By the way, His Grace and Lady Suzanna will be coming over for afternoon tea,” her sister reminded her, clapping her hands in excitement.
Claire smoothed her skirts and grinned. “I doubt they will want to come over so often if you keep badgering them, Trixie.”
“Oh, I shall keep badgering them until they come!” Trixie grinned.
“Well, since you are so intent on inviting guests to our home, maybe you can help me with preparing for their arrival?”
The unladylike expression on her sister’s face was enough to entice a tinkling laugh from Claire.
“Do I have to?” the younger Rowley moaned, as if Claire had asked for a pound of her flesh and then some.
Claire smiled at her sister and tapped that pert little nose with some affection. “Not if you don’t want to, dearest.”
She stood up and brushed her skirts, thinking of the beautiful Lady Suzanna and her younger brother, Oliver, the Duke of Minsbury. They were both dear friends and in a way, part of the family.
After the late Duke and Duchess of Minsbury died in a tragic carriage accident several years past, their children had been left in the care of the Rowleys, who were their closest friends and neighbors. She and Trixie had grown up with Lady Suzanna and His Grace, the Duke of Minsbury.
Lady Suzanna was older than Claire by five years and by all accounts should have been comfortably married off. She had a sizable dowry that many gentlemen considered tempting and she was exceedingly beautiful with dark brown hair and a pair of green eyes framed by lashes that Claire secretly envied. Her manners were impeccable and she conducted herself in a way that the dowagers and chaperons of thetoncould find no fault in.
However, Lady Suzanna was also possessed of a rather fiery temper—one that her deceased parents and inevitably, her guardians, also indulged. If she was of the mind to be a spinster and spend the rest of her days in Minsbury Park, there was no one who would contradict her decision, least of all her younger brother.
“I have absolutely no idea how you manage it all, Claire,” Trixie muttered, trailing after her sister as they selected the tea and scones that would be served for their guests. “On the other hand, I am content to be of assistance to your endeavors and provide entertainment for our esteemed guests.”
Her older sister just laughed and shook her head. For all her self-deprecation, Trixie was gifted at the pianoforte and when their mother was alive, she had played quite often for their guests.
With the Viscountess gone and Claire yet to be Presented to the Queen, Ranhold House had seen less guests and gatherings.
The only exception, of course, was the Duke and his sister, but they were more family than guests.
After carefully choosing the china and making sure everything was in order, Claire and Trixie proceeded to the entrance to await their arrival. Claire took one look at her sister and subtly tucked a wayward lock of hair, earning her a grateful smile. She shook her head and looked out to the path, where a stately carriage, bearing the crest of the Duke of Minsbury, had pulled up to the front of their home.
His Grace and Lady Suzanna were just alighting from their carriage when the sisters both ushered them inside, Trixie absolutely bouncing with excitement atfinallyhaving guests to divert her from her boredom.
“Goodness, another winter and Trixie will almost be as tall as I am,” Lady Suzanna remarked. She turned to Claire and greeted her warmly. “And dear Claire…my, you are quite ready for your coming out!”
Claire blushed at the mention of her presentation to Society. “It all depends on whether Father will allow it,” she demurred.
