Augusta dropped her hand and grinned at me. “A reward for my excellent behavior.”
My eyes slid to Miss Lewis’s, who seemed rather pleased too. As well she should. She had managed to stay longer than most of the others. And there had not been any untoward behavior by Augusta for weeks—apart from her usual quirks . . . and forgetting to send oars with Miss Lewis on the boat.
I set my hand on Augusta’s shoulder. “My congratulations. I knew you would decide to act like a lady at some point.”
Augusta’s smile quickly transformed into a playful glare.
Mother tsked her tongue. “I won’t have any teasing. I expect you to highlight Augusta’s best traits to every gentleman present. It will take all of us to make her first party a success.”
I dropped my hand. “I will have to check my calendar.”
“But you managed to escape for tea,” Augusta said. “Surely, you can be there for your own dear sister’s first party. It’s this Friday.”
I had managed tea. At least I could assure myself that Mary Anne would not attend dinner, but there were others I must avoid too. My eyes flicked to Miss Lewis. This would be her first party in our town as well. The bachelors in the community would rejoice to have two more women for them to drool over.
“I’ll be there.”
My words were surprisingly concise, even to me. I waved off the chorus of thank-yous and suddenly recalled the letter in my hand. “I almost forgot. I am to meet Mr. Gregory in Warwick for a few days of business and will leave on Monday.”
“Warwick?” Augusta asked, sharing an odd look with Miss Lewis. “Why there?”
Why would they share a secretive look about my travels? “I have investments all over,” I answered flippantly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Miss Lewis nudge Augusta.
“What sort of investments?” Augusta asked. She had a prying look about her—one I did not care to indulge. “The very best kind of investment, Augusta.” I tapped the letter against my leg—eager to reward my rescuer and finally be rid of my debt.
Another shared look passed between the young ladies.
“Come, now,” Mother said, latching on to Augusta’s arm. “Do not concern yourself with your brother’s business. Let us think about what dress we shall buy you.”
“A few dresses for Augusta’s upcoming Season are expected,” I said. “But we cannot be too frivolous, Mother. Not until my investments are settled.”
“Settled?” Mother frowned deeply.
I had not meant to have this conversation with Miss Lewis and Augusta present, but everyone might as well know about our new budget. “Yes. It could take some time. We will have to be moderate in our spending until then.”
Mother’s face pinched, but it slowly relaxed back into a smile. “Very well. We will discuss the gown later. We can begin with proper party decorum.” She tugged Augusta back toward the drawing room. “As you are family with Lord and Lady Timbrell, Augusta, this is a practice experience to see if I allow you to dine at other houses. Do you understand?”
My sister gave a lackluster response. “I will not disappoint you, Mother.”
“See that you don’t.” I caught Mother’s stern profile before she disappeared through the door.
Miss Lewis turned to follow, but before she did, she glanced back at me. I took that single look as an invitation to speak with her. Gone was any memory of why I had told myself to avoid her.
“Well done, Miss Lewis.”
“Me?”
Her innocence amused me. “None of us managed to prepare my sister to take this next step, and you have managed to change her in mere weeks.”
Miss Lewis shook her head. “I did not do anything remarkable. Not really. Augusta is still the same person as before I arrived.”
“Yes, but she is making a concerted effort to restrain her wild tendencies—a revolutionary idea for her.”
She glanced at her fingernails. “Companionship can do that for a person.”
That was not the response I had expected. “How so?”
