“I’m not nervous,” she lied.
A door opened and a gust of masculine laughter escaped. It seemed Lady Helen was entertaining guests. More strangers, and no doubt all in their best clothes. Maddy swallowed and lifted her chin.
A small woman came hurrying toward them. “Nash, what a delightful surprise. We weren’t expecting you until next week at least.”
Next week? Maddy shot Nash a look, but he was already embracing Lady Helen and kissing her cheek. “Nell, my dear, you look lovelier than ever. Come, let me introduce you to everyone.”
Lady Helen was a small, thin-faced woman with light brown hair, simply dressed, and with beautiful eyes. At first glance, Maddy thought her plain, but when she smiled, there was such warmth in her expression you forgot about her looks.
“What a lovely surprise—I do like unexpected guests.”
“Unexpected?” Maddy repeated. She gave Nash a hard look.
Nash made a helpless gesture. “Letters so oft go astray . . .” His eyes twinkled.
Astray, my foot, Maddy thought. He’d dragged her from her cottage at a moment’s notice, and dumped six unexpected guests on his sister-in-law—seven if you counted Lizzie. Men! They were so inconsiderate.
“Lady Helen, I’m so sorry to arrive on you without warning. I—”
“Nonsense. I’m delighted to meet you, Miss Woodford. Any friend of Nash’s is welcome here. You’re just in time for dinner—”
“Thank you, but if you have guests, I’d rather not intrude.” Especially not travel worn and in a shabby gown.
“Not guests, just my husband, his partner, Ethan Delaney, and our friend, Luke, Lord Ripton, who’s visiting. They were all in the army together and are more like brothers than guests—and now here is Nash—so if you don’t take pity on me, I’ll be the only lady at the dinner table.” She smiled mischievously at Maddy. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you. What woman wouldn’t want to dine with four of the handsomest men in England.”
“Four?” Nash interjected with a grin. “Not if Ethan is one of the four.”
“Ethan may not be conventionally handsome, but to many women, his kind of rugged, rough-hewn looks are very attractive,” Lady Helen informed him loftily. “Being a male, you do not see it.”
“I certainly don’t. Big ugly brute, that’s what Ethan is. Has Tibby abandoned him, then, if you’ve been left on your own with all of us handsome fellows?”
“No, she couldn’t join us tonight. Poor little Patrick has a touch of the colic tonight and of course she had to stay with him.”
Lady Helen turned and gave the butler some rapid instructions.
“Tibby is Mrs. Delaney,” Nash explained. “Patrick is her infant son.”
“Six months old and such a bonny boy,” said Lady Helen overhearing. “You’ll meet him and my own little Torie tomorrow.” She smiled at the children. “Now, who are all these lovely children? Nash, introduce us, if you please.”
Jane and Susan made beautiful curtsies. Maddy felt so proud of them. Then Lucy tried to curtsy, got stuck, and almost fell over. Before Maddy could move, Nash quietly caught her and helped the little girl to rise with a minimum of fuss. Maddy noticed Lady Helen observe him thoughtfully. She glanced at Maddy, a speculative look in her eyes, but said nothing.
When John and Henry made their bows, she commented on their bright rosy cheeks. “Have you been out in the cold air, boys?”
Henry burst out excitedly, “Yes, we sat up with the driver all the way, and helped drive the carriage. He let us hold the reins and everything.”
“Did you indeed?” she said warmly. “It is a very exciting thing to do, is it not? I remember when I first learned to handle the ribbons, I was only a little older than you.”
“You, ma’am?” Jane said in surprise.
Lady Helen laughed. “Yes, I was a terrible hoyden and utterly horse mad.” She winked. “I still am. Do you like dogs? I hope you do because I can hear one coming now.”
The clacking of claws sounded on the well-polished parquetry floor and an amiable-looking brown-spotted white springer spaniel came trotting up, wagging her tail and wiggling with joy at the sight of the visitors.
“This is my dog, Freckles,” Lady Helen told them. “I hope you will all be great friends.”
The children clustered around the dog, letting themselves be sniffed, patting her, and making friends.
“They’ve always wanted a dog,” Maddy told Lady Helen. “But we could never afford to feed one.” She wasn’t going to pretend she was anything other than she was.
