“Thank you,”Mattie said.
As she uttered her words, Lady Dallington stepped into the room with Melody trailing behind.
“I do apologize for the delay, but Melody and I were looking over the new gowns that we had commissioned for the Season,” Lady Dallington said. “Mrs. Harper has outdone herself.”
Mattie ran a hand down her gray gown. “I am still waiting for the mourning gowns to be delivered, so I wore the darkest-colored dress I own.”
“I have no doubt that Mrs. Harper and her seamstresses are working on them this very minute,” Lady Dallington assured her.
“I do hope so,” Mattie said. “I do not want anyone to think that we are forgoing the mourning period.”
“I do not think anyone is concerned with that, considering the news is only just spreading around the village,” Lady Dallington remarked. “Everyone knows it takes time for gowns to be made.”
Melody walked across the room and sat down on the settee. “When is Emma set to arrive?”
“She should be arriving tomorrow,” Mattie replied. “Father intends to hire a governess to see to Emma’s education once we arrive at Darlington Abbey.”
Lady Dallington nodded in approval. “As she is a daughter of a viscount, it is expected that he should retain a governess.”
“I do hope the governess can handle Emma,” Mattie said. “She can be rather headstrong and obstinate.”
Elodie giggled. “That does sound like someone we know,” she remarked with a knowing look at Mattie.
Mattie smiled. “Yes, well, I do have strong opinions, but my sister seems to have delusions of grandeur.”
“Then she will fit in well amongst high Society,” Lady Dallington remarked.
A maid stepped into the room with a tea service, setting itcarefully on the table in front of Melody. “Would you like me to pour, my lady?”
Melody offered her a kind smile. “No, thank you. I shall pour.” She leaned forward to retrieve the teapot. As she began to pour the tea, she asked, “How old is Emma now?”
“Emma is six and ten years old,” Mattie responded.
“I do not know why she cannot return to her boarding school until she is presented at Court,” Melody suggested. “We remained at our boarding school, despite Father inheriting his title.”
Lady Dallington settled gracefully into a chair beside Melody. “That was only because you had four months left of your schooling and you both refused to return home.”
Elodie bobbed her head. “I am grateful that we went away to boarding school rather than be taught by a stuffy governess.”
“Not all governesses are stuffy,” Lady Dallington countered. “It is imperative to find the right fit.”
Melody poured four cups of tea and distributed them with practiced ease. “I made many long-lasting friendships from my time at our boarding school.”
“Yes, including Josephine,” Lady Dallington said. “You two are prolific writers to one another.”
Elodie furrowed her brow. “Who is Josephine?”
Melody waved a dismissive hand in front of her. “You remember Josephine. She was there for our first year but left shortly thereafter.”
“No, I don’t recall her,” Elodie responded. “What did she look like?”
“She was tall, with dark hair, and unassuming,” Melody said. “I am not surprised you don’t remember her since she kept to herself.”
Elodie took a thoughtful sip of her tea. “That is odd, considering we spent so much time withone another.”
Melody did not appear concerned. “I’m sure you will remember her when we see her during the Season.”
“I guess so,” Elodie muttered.
