Patience closed her eyes for a moment. “Not this evening. Come with me, if you please. You may meet again to-morrow.”
“Yes, Mama,” Louisa, Augusta, and Madeline said in unison.
Theodora’s mouth had a familiar mulish cast. “Mama, I promised Mary I would stay.”
Patience’s lips formed a line. “Theodora . . .”
Matt glowered. “Theodora, mind your mother.”
“Yes, Matt.” His sister pouted, but turned to Mary. “I’m sorry.”
Mary hugged Theo. “I understand. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“We can all go to the Park together again.” She returned Mary’s hug and followed her sisters out the door.
Patience glanced at Matt and Grace. “Since Theodora’s been born, I’ve earned my name.”
Grace’s brothers and sisters followed Matt’s sisters into the corridor. There was much hugging on the part of the girls. Matt hid his smile when the girls tried to embrace the boys who instead offered to shake hands.
Raising her brow, Patience asked, “How long do you think this comradeship will last?”
“I wish I knew. Hopefully for the duration.” He kept his eyes on the children. “Try to find out what they’ve been up to. I’m sure whatever it is, is well intended, but we might need to nip a few plans in the bud.”
“I shall most certainly need to discover their plans. I shudder at what they could come up with.”
“I have to say, I agree.” Grace grimaced. “They are all bright and imaginative.”
“As you say,” Patience watched the children for a moment. “Grace, please come to visit me to-morrow.”
“Thank you. I shall.”
The ladies bussed each other’s cheeks.
Matt blew out a breath. So far, so good. He just hoped the rest of his plan to marry Grace quickly was as much of a success. He glanced around. Something was missing.The dogs!Where had they got to?
Chapter Thirteen
Once back at Worthington House, Patience took the girls to the children’s parlor. “I take it you are pleased with the prospect that Matt and Grace will marry?”
“We have never been so delighted,” Madeline said. “Mama, isn’t it so romantic?”
Patience nodded, romantic indeed. Though she worried it was too soon for the couple to know their minds.
“I agree,” Louisa said. “Grace had decided not to marry because of her brothers and sisters. I think it was a very good notion Matt had of falling in love with her, because he is just what the boys require.”
“Yes,” Augusta added. “You should have seen him break up the fight Walter was in to-day. Not that Walter started it. It was that other horrid boy.”
Patience didn’t have to ask Theodora. For years, her youngest daughter had wanted a younger sister. Patience studied them for a few moments. “You seem to have given this some thought.”
“We did.” Louisa smiled and glanced at her sisters. “We had a meeting with Charlotte and the others and decided how to resolve any disputes that may arise.”
Here it was. Afraid her knees would give out with shock, Patience sank into the old rocking chair and inquired in a tone fainter than she would have liked, “Did you indeed? How is that?”
“Well,” Augusta replied, “we shall negotiate the disputes between the two families. Right now, Louisa and Charlotte are the oldest, so they shall help resolve any arguments. As the older ones leave, the next oldest of each family will step in.”
“Yes,” Madeline piped up. “That way, neither Grace nor Matt will have to be involved. They will just be responsible for their own family and you for us.”
“I see.” That wasn’t as bad as Patience had thought. Although she wondered how long their good intentions would actually work, and what Matt and Grace would have to say about it. Obviously Charlotte and Louisa were destined to be political or diplomatic wives. “Is there anything else?”
