Sarah was sitting stiffly upright when the coach rolled down the gravel drive half an hour later, her fingers laced together on her knee. Every muscle was tense with excitement and anticipation. She felt just a little fearful, her palms damp. She gazed up at the tall building before them. It was much bigger than she had imagined, the front facade designed in the Restoration style: all mock turrets and long rectangular windows and a triangular pediment. It was three stories high, and the front door was flanked by dark columns.
“Well, miss,” Abigail said calmly as the coachman alighted. “Shall we get out?”
Sarah swallowed and nodded. “Thank you,” she murmured as she took Abigail’s hand. She looked up towards the imposing doorway and her fear dissolved instantly as she caught sight of her cousin, who was standing by the front door, a butler in a black tailcoat beside her. Cousin Caroline was wearing a bright silk dress in orange russet, her beautiful thick reddish hair arranged in an elaborate chignon that emphasized its curliness. Her long, slim arms were wide to embrace Sarah, who took the top step at a run and threw her arms around her lovely older cousin.
“Sarah!” Caroline exclaimed, stepping back and gazing at her. “Why! You look lovely. It seems like years since we saw one another.”
“It has been a few years,” Sarah replied. “It is truly wonderful to see you.” She hugged her cousin again, blinking against unexpected tears.
Cousin Caroline was the only family member she had who still lived, and the warm familiarity of her, the closeness of embracing her, the smell of orange-water mixed with floral perfume that was her cousin’s favorite scent, comforted her in a way that she had not experienced since Papa passed away.
“Sarah! Hush. No tears,” Caroline said firmly. “Now, come inside. You must be parched and starved after so long on the road. Mr. Edgehill will show you to your chamber. I have had a room prepared for your maid as well,” she added, glancing at Abigail, who was ably assisting the butler to carry her luggage from the coach. “I must apologise for Edward—we expected you to arrive tomorrow, so he is unexpectedly away on business.” Caroline blushed, her eyes moving down as though she was embarrassed. “I must...no, come inside first. Come and refresh yourself and have some tea. I’ll have some things sent up to the drawing room for us to eat. Come in! You must be exhausted,” she added, guiding Sarah in through the front door and taking her hand, leading her up the long stone-dressed staircase.
Sarah smiled, appreciating Caroline’s fussing. She went with Mr. Edgehill to her chamber. He led her into a large room and departed.
“Whew,” Sarah murmured as she sat down heavily on a chair and looked around her.
The room was around the same size as the one she occupied at Wakeford Hall, but the white flocked-silk wallpaper seemed more sumptuous, the vast bed with its white, silky coverlet inviting after the days of poor sleep at inns.
Abigail helped her to restyle her hair and change out of her travel-worn dress into a fresh one; a muslin dress in white with a small pattern of pale green leaves. She thanked Abigail and then walked slowly down the hallway in the direction that she had seen Caroline go. She found a doorway and peered around it. Furniture with fashionable spindle legs stood about—four upholstered chairs and a low table—and in the corner there was a vast pianoforte. Shelves lined one wall, and a writing desk faced a long rectangular window. Drapes in pale velvet framed the windows and a fireplace stood on the right, a fire lit in thegrate. Caroline was in the corner, standing near the window, looking out. As Sarah came in, she turned.
“Oh!” Caroline smiled. “I did not hear you enter! Come and sit down, do. We have tea, and raisin loaf, and cream cake. There’s not much food, since Edward has not yet returned, and he is the one with the vast appetite.”
Sarah grinned and settled on the chair her cousin proffered. Caroline poured tea for her and Sarah sipped it gratefully.
“I expect Edward back after tea,” Caroline told her. “He will be ever so pleased to meet you.”
“I will be glad to meet him, too,” Sarah replied softly. She had not attended Caroline’s wedding, since Father had not wished to make the long journey in the coach, and he had refused to spare Sarah for so many days.
They chatted about the journey and the weather and life at Averhill House, and then Caroline leaned towards her conspiratorially.
“I must tell you a secret—only Edward knows. I am expecting a baby.”
“No!” Sarah beamed, a shriek of joyous excitement escaping her lips. “Congratulations, Caroline! How wonderful.” She stood and embraced her cousin, her heart twisting just a little with pain. Caroline was two years her senior, and she was soon to be a mother. Sarah would not have that chance. She was five-and-twenty and unwed, and it was too late for Seasons and parties and meeting people. She had missed the opportunity of children of her own. She smiled at Caroline, hiding her grief.
“I confess that I feel a little ill now and again,” Caroline replied, gesturing at the food, which she had not touched. “So, I hope you will do justice to Mrs. Headley's cooking for me.”
Sarah smiled. “I will try,” she answered.
“No need,” a voice said from the door. “I am hungry enough to eat five loaves. Is that my dear wife’s cousin who I see?” the gentleman added.
Sarah stood, seeing a wide smile light up her cousin’s face. A tall man stood in the doorway, with dark brown hair, hazel eyes and a long, thin face that was lit up with a grin. He was wearing a dark blue tailcoat and dark brown riding-breeches, and he bowed to Sarah, his eyes twinkling.
“May I have the honour of presenting my cousin, the honourable Miss Sarah Brooke, to you?” Caroline said a little teasingly. “Sarah, dear, I present you Edward.”
“Good day, my lord,” Sarah replied, curtseying. The tall man grinned.
“No need for titles, dear Miss Sarah. We are family, after all.”
Sarah liked him instantly. He was warm and lighthearted and seemed affable and gentle. He went to Caroline, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and kissing her cheek. “How are you, my dearest?”
“Well. Very well,” she told Edward with a smile. “A little lightheaded, and I have no appetite, but neither of those is anything unusual at this time.”
Edward beamed. “Well, I have enough appetite to make up for three people’s lack of appetite.” He settled himself on a chair on Caroline’s left. “We’re quite informal here,” he added to Sarah, grinning warmly.
Caroline laughed. “I suppose we are,” she added, pouring tea for Edward.
“We shall all be on our best behaviour this evening, though, eh?” Edward asked, his eyes twinkling.
