Page 64 of The Mad Marchams

“Really?” Felicity blushed. “Thank you.”

“You’re massive in the U.S.”

“So I’ve been told. My publisher wants me to come out and promote myself, but it’s not really my cup of tea.”

“Why not?”

“Because no one here knows what I write, and they’d probably be horrified if they did.”

“Who cares what they think, when you could be a star?” Mabel asked. “I mean, don’t you want that after putting it all that effort?”

“Not really. I prefer the anonymity.” Felicity glanced down at her plate. “I just like the writing part.”

Mabel considered her. “I can kind of get that, because I love to write code, but I always end up having to be the bridge between the customer and the techies because I’m the most personable.” She paused. “Well, Joss is probably better at it, but he likes me to do it, which, now that I think about it, actually sucks.”

Felicity was looking at her strangely.

Mabel shrugged. “Sorry. Definitely not your problem.”

“I’m not sure I agree,” Felicity said slowly. “It’s not right that either of us get pushed into doing things we don’t naturally feel comfortable with just to make other people’s lives easier. I think I’ll take a leaf out of your book and ask my editor to back off.”

Mabel nodded in approval before they both started eating again. Eventually Felicity cleared her throat.

“I did wonder if I should approach Colin about helping to fund the house restoration, but then I’d have to tell him how I earned the money.”

“He wouldn’t judge you for that,” Mabel said. “And it is your home, too.”

“I suppose it never feels that way for a female in an aristocratic family,” Felicity said. “We’re expected to get married, help the family connections, and move out as soon as possible.”

Mabel didn’t know what to say about that incredibly narrow view of the world and settled for something more obvious.

“Colin is a mite touchy about finances.”

“That’s because Eric was such a spendthrift. Father let him get away with it until it severely impacted his capital. It was galling because Father always insisted we lived within our means.”

“Apart from Eric,” Mabel said. “Because he was the heir.”

“Yes.” Felicity sighed. “It’s ridiculous really, isn’t it?” She finished the last of her tea and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “We should get back. Grandmother will be wondering where I am.”

“Sure.” Mabel licked the last bit of cream frosting off her plate of carrot cake. “I’m meeting with Ted after lunch to go over the plans for the foundations.”

Felicity went slightly pink. “Ted Bevin?”

“Yes. He’s such a nice guy.” Mabel rose to her feet. “You should come and say hi.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to be a nuisance,” Felicity dusted cake crumbs from her sweater. “It’s not as though he doesn’t know who I am. We attended the same school.”

“You went to Marlborough, too?” Mabel asked, proud that she was pronouncing it British style rather than extending the ending the American way.

“Yes, I enjoyed it.”

“Probably because you didn’t have to deal with your brothers.” Mabel put on her jacket and made sure she didn’t leave her small backpack behind.

They exited the shop into bright sunshine and Mabel put on her sunglasses.

Felicity touched her arm. “Thank you.”

“For what?”