Although Louisa and Charlotte must have noticed how close Patience and Richard had become, neither girl said a word. Instead, they exchanged a glance and took their places.
A moment later, what sounded like a stampede approached and the younger children surged into the room scattering into their usual places. Her next eldest daughter, Augusta, who was fifteen, sat in the chair next to Walter’s, Grace’s fourteen-year-old brother. They shared a passion for foreign languages and travel. Though not old enough to attend the Thornhills’ drawing rooms, they had been invited to the couple’s house numerous times to look at their foreign artifacts and discuss the Thornhills’ journeys.
Twelve-year-old Madeline sat in between Grace’s twin sisters of the same age, on the sofa Patience occupied.
Her youngest daughter, Theodora, eight, was as usual to be found with five-year-old Mary Carpenter. Philip Carpenter, the youngest boy, also eight, sat with them next to Grace.
“Well, then,” Grace began. “We would like your opinion on a certain situation which affects all of you.”
The twelve-year-olds clasped their hands and sighed dramatically.
“Are you announcing your betrothal, Mama?” Madeline asked. “We have already discussed what we should wear.”
And to think the three of them would all come out at the same time. Patience repressed a shudder. “What alarming children you are.”
Her remark was greeted by a trio of self-satisfied smiles.
“I am not announcing my betrothal.”
The smiles faded.
“Who is getting married?” Augusta stared owlishly at Louisa, then nodded. “I’d forgotten.”
Theodora rolled her eyes. “The only thing you do not forget is anything to do with the globe.”
“Theo,” Louisa said sharply, “do not roll your eyes. It isn’t polite.”
“If you are not getting married, what is this about?” Madeline asked.
Chapter Eleven
Patience poured another cup of tea, drinking it quickly. Come to think of it, a glass of wine or sherry would not go amiss at the moment. Yet, now that the children were here, she had no idea how to approach the subject.
The door clicked shut as Matt entered the room. He focused on Madeline. “If your mother were to wed, where would she live?”
“With her husband, of course. All married ladies live with their husbands,” she added earnestly.
The twins nodded their agreement with the answer.
“Very well,” he continued. “Where would you live?”
Madeline frowned as if she did not understand the question.
Augusta looked at him as if he had suddenly become deranged. “Here and at Worthington.”
“We have already discussed it,” Theodora said.
Naturally, they had. They had done the same before he and Grace had married. The only question Patience had waswhathad they decided.
Louisa cleared her throat. “It is clear Mama is in love, and it would be selfish of us to keep her and Lord Wolverton from being together.”
An ache started in Patience’s throat and now familiar tears pricked her eyes. “But I love you as well.”
“We know that, Mama.” Madeline reached over, took Patience’s hand, and squeezed it. “We love you, too, but you won’t be far, and during the Season, we will be across the street.”
Her incipient tears halted. Really, she needed all her wits about her when dealing with her children. “I beg your pardon?”
“That is what I was about to explain.” Louisa glanced at Grace. “Charlie said he wished to rent this house during the Season. Since Lord Wolverton does not have a townhome of his own, he can rent this one. Mama will not wish to miss the Seasons, after all.”
