Page 102 of Yielding to Love

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Camellia barely slept, so as soon as she heard enough movement in the hallway, she rose, dressed, and went down to the morning room. She had to face the day. Face the butler who’d seen them. Face Crispin without tumbling into his arms.

Crispin’s mother, the dowager, was at the table with Hannah in her lap. They were both sipping tea, though Hannah’s was so pale it had to have been watered down. The dowager was a dark-haired, regal-appearing woman, who hardly seemed old enough to be a grandmother.

“Good morning, Lady Bodwell.”

“Camellia. If you please, my lady.” A risk. The dowager carried herself with the dignity of her rank. Yet it would be awkward if everyone else called her by her given name and the dowager persisted in using a title that reminded Camellia of all her mistakes.

The lady smiled. “And I am Beatrice. My husband disapproved of such informalities, but I have to say, I find it refreshing.”

Hannah bounced in her lap. “Meela, I am Hannah.”

“Ah, no.” Beatrice repressed her smile. “You must call her Lady Bodwell.”

“Why?”

“Because it is the polite thing for little girls.”

Hannah seemed to accept that. She didn’t argue. Camellia went to the sideboard, fragrant with warm bread, oranges, tea, and strong coffee. She poured herself a cup of tea, then returned to the table to sit.

“Did you enjoy the view of the lake?” Beatrice asked.

Camellia started. Then she managed a smile. “It’s beautiful.”

“Crispin has done a marvelous job with the house. He has changed enough to reflect his own taste, but left enough that it still feels like home.”

“Were you here often?”

“Several weeks a year. The children loved it. I wish we could have come more often. And I hope everyone makes more time for it now. They are all so busy, but I know Crispin wants company. And time slips away.” She stirred her tea, and her thoughts seemed to take her elsewhere. Camellia didn’t know whether to respond or not.

Fortunately, Hazard and Alice entered the room, arm in arm. They said their good mornings, then Alice sat, and Hazard went to prepare her a plate. He heaped it full: eggs, kippers, toast, cheese, orange slices. Alice laughed when he set it before her.

“Is that all?”

Hazard smiled. “You must eat for three.”

“Three?”

“Or four. I won’t be eating this morning. I doubt Jasper will either.”

Crispin came into the room. “Your sins will find you out.”

Hazard chuckled. “Lord, I hope not.”

Olivia and Benjamin arrived next. They were an interesting pair. Olivia smiled readily, and seemed to have inexhaustible energy. Benjamin was quieter. Thoughtful. Olivia sat beside the dowager and murmured to Hannah, while Benjamin fetched tea for her and coffee for himself.

“Did you like the lake?” Olivia asked abruptly, turning from Hannah to Camellia.

“Yes,” Camellia said. “It’s lovely. Restful.”

“Did Crispin take you up on the rock?”

For a moment, she misinterpreted the question and stared, startled. Then she quickly answered, “Yes.” She glanced at Crispin, who hid his face with his teacup and hands. She felt certain he was snickering behind them. It wasn’t funny.

“The moon can be spectacular,” Olivia mused.

“Yes. It was.”