Page 98 of A Murder at Kew Gardens

"Do not laugh."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"You are laughing."

"Only internally."

"That still counts."

I moved the papers a few inches farther from her. "We can discuss something else."

"No." She took a careful sip of tea. "We should settle it." She considered the papers as though they might attack. "Would you mind terribly going on with it? For now," she added quickly. "Only for now."

"Claire, they are yours by right. I don't wish to impose."

"You are not imposing. I intend to take them. Truly. But I should like to grow accustomed to being Cosmos's wife before I grow accustomed to being mistress of his house." Her hand drifted, without her knowing it, toward her stomach. "And just now⁠—"

"You are growing a Rosehaven."

"I am attempting to. At present it appears determined to kill me by means of breakfast."

"Then yes. Of course I'll continue. When we go to Yorkshire we can begin turning things over. Slowly. Mrs. Bateman will teach you what I can't."

Relief flooded her face. "Thank you."

"It isn't a hardship. I've done it for years."

"I know." Something in the way she said it brought my head up.

Claire reached across and took my hand. "There is something else you have done for years."

"What?"

"Raised the children. You could begin handing that to me as well."

I pulled my hand back. "No."

"Rosalynd—"

"I wouldn't."

"You could."

"I couldn't."

"Why not?"

Because they were mine. I did not say it, because it was not true and because it was. They were my brother and sisters. Somewhere along the way the distinction had stopped mattering.

Claire left the sofa and sat down beside me, where she took both my hands in hers. It was so exactly what I had done to her that I nearly smiled.

"My dear," she said, "I saw how Steele looked at you at the wedding."

My heart gave one hard beat. "Claire."

"He is in love with you."

I turned to the window.