“That’s the truth.” Rutherford shook Kit’s hand. “I’m sure the ladies will aid the cause as well. They’ve been worried about Lady Mary.”
“They are not the only ones.” Kit ran a hand over his face. “Come in and get settled. I’m sure Mary will have ordered tea.” He lowered his voice so that only his friends could hear. “Remember the servants believe us to be man and wife.”
“That has got to be awkward for you,” Huntley said.
“You have no idea,” Kit responded in an undervoice. It also might be one reason this courtship was not going as well as it should.
The ladies joined them, and they made their way into the hall.
“The house is cozy in a way that reminds me of Marsh Hill.” Anna turned to Mary. “It’s wonderful.”
“What a lovely abode,” Caro exclaimed. “It is the perfect size. Large enough to entertain friends yet small enough to not become lost in.”
Huntley put his arm around his wife’s waist, and shook his head. “That is a story for another time. You’ll note this house was not added on to, higgledy piggledy.”
Mary’s lips twitched. “Your home in Suffolk?”
“The very one.” Caro closed her eyes for a moment. “Apparently no one thought to build up, rather than out. It rambles so badly we can use only half the rooms, if that.”
“Can you remodel?” Mary signaled for everyone to follow her.
“Therein lies the problem. It is not ours to do with as we wish. Gervais is in delicate negotiations with his father, who, unfortunately, likes the building as it is.”
The conversations on old houses and the best way to modernize them continued until Kit’s and Mary’s guests were settled in their chambers.
In the corridor outside of her chambers, Kit took one of her hands and kissed the palm, curling her fingers around it. “The drawing room or the morning room?”
She glanced down at her fist then looked up, searching his face as if confused. “The drawing room. I’ll show them the rest of the house to-morrow. Unless you’d rather—”
“It is your home,” Kit said, meaning every word. He had never been drawn to this property before, but Mary had made it into a warm, welcoming home. Of its own volition his head bent to kiss her. He pulled it up sharply. What the hell was he doing? “It would probably confuse the servants if you did not do it.”
The soft expression left her countenance, and she pressed her lips together before turning on her heel and marching back down the stairs. “Naturally, we would not wish to upset the servants.”
He gave thanks to the Deity he’d not given in to his impulse. She probably would have slapped him.
“Ooooh, of all the infuriating, godforsaken men. Why did he have to come into my life?” Pacing the length of the drawing room, Mary ranted to herself. “Well, that’s a stupid question. My grandmother is to blame, and once she arrives, I’m going to give her a good piece of my mind. I never should have gone along with this—this stupid idea.” She turned to pace back down the room when the door opened.
Simons gave the most formal bow she’d ever seen him perform. “My lady, the Countess of Evesham, the Countess of Huntley, and Lady Rutherford wish to see you.”
Once the door was closed, Phoebe glanced around. “We heard you talking and did not know if you were alone. Yet before we could knock, your butler showed us in.”
Caro took Mary’s hands. “He will bring tea soon unless you require something stronger. Come, sit, and you can tell us what has happened.”
She glanced at the door. “Where are your husbands?”
“In the nursery making sure the children are settled.” A sly smile appeared on Anna’s face. “If they arrive too soon, you will show us around your garden.”
Caro sank into the sofa in front of the windows, which was part of several seating areas in the long room.
Shoving a small pillow behind her friend, Mary sighed. “I am aterrible hostess, paying more attention to my concerns instead of my guests.”
“Nonsense,” Caro responded. “We came to help you.”
“Because of my grandmother?” Mary knew it was so; still, she had to ask.
“Both of the grandmothers,” Phoebe said, taking a seat in a chair. “They were about to leave Town and come here when the duchess caught your cousin watching the house.”
Mary dropped onto the sofa next to Caro and covered her face. “Shall I never be shut of him?”
