Her uncle clapped his hands together in a gesture of ending their conversation. Therefore, Audrey nodded her head in respect and stood slowly. “With your permission, sir, I wish to spend some time with Caroline before you depart for the Continent.”
“No troubling my daughter with our arrangement,” her uncle warned. “I do not wish Caroline to be in a fit of worry for you while we are away, and I am confident you do not wish such ill feelings upon your cousin.”
In truth, Audrey had briefly entertained the idea of begging Caroline to change her father’s mind, but she quickly had surmised this conjured assignment was to be some sort of test, and she was determined to prove her worth once and for all. “I most assuredly shall not trouble Caroline with my pleas. Instead, I mean to consider this an adventure.”
“I must caution you not to become too adventurous, my child. You are still, as yet, untested. Simply follow my instructions, and I will know contentment. It would cause me great disappointment to learn you have again disobeyed.”
Audrey wished to argue on how she rarely disobeyed Uncle Jacobi, but she swallowed the words rushing to her lips. “Permit me to assist Caroline with her packing. I long to spend what time remains before your departure being of service to my cousin.”
“I do notwish to be separated from you for so long,” Caroline declared. “I could speak to my father about my remaining behind also.”
Audrey had already assured her cousin five times on how she anticipated the joy of the solitude being presented to her.
Caroline’s lips took on a pout. “Do you cherish your privacy more than my company?”
“I assure you, such is not my desire, but it is Uncle’s wish, and I would regret bringing a frown to your father’s forehead again.”
“Will you stay with me tonight?” her cousin asked. “Just as we were known to do when we were children. I shall ask Cook to send our meals to my quarters. I have it on good report, she made those lemon cakes you so adore. We shall fill our stomachs with sweets and tell stories and put on gowns and dance about my quarters just as we did when we were children.”
Audrey smiled easily. “I would enjoy recreating our youthful fantasies very much. We shall be as we always were: two friends who cherish each other.”
