Alice would not have described it as waiting. “You mean they have been dreading it for years.”
Eleanor met Alice’s gaze. As much as Grace had been preparing them for it, if they wed this Season their lives and Madeline’s would be very different than before. It was strange to consider the changes.
“At least we will not be without assistance.” Madeline smiled brightly. “For a very long time, Matt has been saying that it is “all hands on deck.”
Alice laughed. Madeline had mimicked his stern command perfectly. What was interesting was Matt was the uncontested leader of the family that now included one duke and two marquises. All of whom had already arrived in Town. Only their sister Augusta,, who had promised to return for their come out, her husband, and their eldest brother Charlie, Earl of Stanwood had not yet appeared. They had been traveling on the Continent for several years. Alice hoped they arrived home soon. Augusta and Charlie had promised they would.
Alice and her sisters raced to a large oak tree then ambled around the Serpentine. Almost unconsciously, Alice followed her twin’s lead and started Galyna back toward the gate.
“Why are we turning?” Madeline sounded surprised.
“I am hungry.” Eleanor said. “By the time we are home, we will have just enough time to wash and change before going to breakfast, and . . .” She paused. “I wonder who they are.”
“Who?” Madeline peered around Eleanor.
Alice leaned forward to be able to see around Madeline.
“Do not stare. They could see us.” Eleanor’s sharp tone caused Madeline and Alice to straighten. “There were two gentlemen riding just off to the side. They were galloping.”
Madeline leaned forward again. “What did they look like?”
“They both had reddish hair, but of different hues. Well dressed. One rode a black horse, and the other horse was gray.”
Madeline’s brows came together. “I wonder if they are the type of gentlemen who will be introduced to us.”
“Only time will tell,” Eleanor replied as they rode through the gate and trotted up Upper Grosvenor Street.
A boy running out into the street waving his hands startled Alice. Eleanor’s horse shied, but she was able to bring her under control. What had the child been thinking, or had he? Whichever it was, it was a stupid trick.
Alice moved next to her twin. “Eleanor, are you all right?”
Her face was pale but determined. “I am fine.”
Alice was about to suggest they question the boy, but Eleanor shook her head.
Jemmy, her groom, rode up. “That weren’t no accident, my lady. He was standing quiet until he saw you.”
“Thank you, Jemmy. You have confirmed my thoughts. Come, Adela, let’s go home,” Eleanor spoke to her horse.
Why would anyone want to scare Eleanor? They wasted no time getting home. As soon as they reached Worthington House, their grooms came to take the mares.
“Good morning.”
Alice was glad to see Charlotte and Louisa strolling toward the house holding their older children’s hands. Charlotte, Louisa, Dotty, and Grace all had children in the five-year-old range.
“You must be joining us for breakfast.” Alice hugged the children.
“We’re going to spend the day with Gideon and Elizabeth,” Constance, Charlotte’s daughter, named Matt and Grace’s elder children.
Constance took Alice’s hand. “We want to see Posy and Zeus too.”
Posy and Zeus were Great Danes. Matt brought home Zeus after Duke had died and then Daisy died a year later, and Posy came to live with them. Yet, while Duke and Daisy had spent most of their time with Alice, Eleanor, and Madeline, Zeus and Posy belonged more to Elizabeth and Gideon. When they weren’t trying to guard Edward and Gaia, Grace’s eighteen-month-old twins, from bath time that was.
Alice made her way to her chamber. She, Eleanor, and Madeline had received separate bedchambers and shared a parlor that had been named The Young Ladies Parlor.
Bertram, Alice’s maid, was supervising the filling of the bathtub when Alice entered her bedroom. “Thank you. We have family joining us for breakfast.”
“So I was told.” Bertram tested the heat of the bathwater then turned toward the footman. “Thank you. This is perfect.” Once they’d left, she helped Alice out of her riding habit. “It will only get busier from here.”
