Caroline sent her a watery smile. “Did you?”
“I told him I understood why he got angry when I put his sister in danger, after which, he got rather annoyed again.”
Caroline laughed, aloud. “Oh, I’ll bet he did. But did he own that he’d been worried about you?”
Annabelle lowered her lashes. “Yes.”
“Oh,” the dark-haired woman said, drawing out the word. “You are so very good for him.”
“I don’t know about that. I do hope to make him a good wife.”
Her sister-in-law reached across the distance separating them and touched her hand. “You will. You are. And I urge you not to read anything untoward into his decision to send us on holiday.”
“It is rather hard not to.”
“The thing is, Annabelle…” She broke off, wrinkling her nose.
“Yes? What is it?” Alarm spiked through her. “Wait. Are you saying there’s areasonSterling is sending us ahead? Something other than me being ahindrance?”
Caroline gaped at her. “A hindrance? Did he say that?”
Annabelle nodded.
She rolled her eyes. “Leave it to Sterling. He never was diplomatic when trying to get his way. Obviously he wanted to be sure you would not put up any resistance. How better to see to that than to insult you into leaving?”
Annabelle considered that. “But…are you saying he thinks there’s danger for us if we stay?”
She nibbled her lower lip. “I’m not sure. I got the feeling there was more to his decision than he let on. But when I pressed him on it, he got quite prickly.”
Babette entered the room in a flurry of feathers and humming. Spotting them, Babette abruptly cut off the humming and emitted a sound of surprise that was half shriek. Then, she turned as if to dart from the room.
Ever since Caroline had arrived, Babette, who typically appeared throughout the manse like a fairy, flitting in and out of chambers with her feather duster, had been markedly absent.
“Babette, wait,” Annabelle called.
The maid froze. Slowly, she pivoted on her feet and dipped a curtsy. “Miladies. May I be of service?” Eyes lowered, she hovered near the exit as if on the verge of fleeing.
“Come closer. I do not wish to shout,” Annabelle said in a teasing tone.
Babette ventured nearer.
“Babette, has anyone told you that Lady Caroline and I shall be departing on the morrow for a holiday in Harrogate?”
Her honey eyes widened in obvious alarm. “No, ma’am.”
“And you shall join us, of course,” she said.
“I shall go and pack your things,” she announced, and Annabelle got the distinct impression she meant to quit the room.
“Lady Caroline will need assistance, as well, Babette.”
She sent Caroline a shy smile. “Of course. I’m pleased to serve both of my ladies.” Her expression sobered and she met Annabelle’s eyes. “And after Harrogate, will we come back here, to Holy Island?”
“No, Babette. I thought you understood. We’ll return to London.”
“And I’ll go withyou?” Her eyes shot to Caroline and then back to Annabelle.
“Of course. Who else would you…” She trailed off as confusion gave way to understanding. “Babette, you will not go back to that terrible place from which Sterling removed you. You will remain with Lord Randall and me, and Lady Caroline…” She broke off to send Caroline a warm smile, and was surprised to see her sister-in-law studying her hands which were clenched tightly in her lap.
