Page 21 of The Widow’s Christmas Surprise

“Not a word. Really, Maria, unhand me.” Her cousin pulled her hand from Maria’s death grip and shook it. “My handwriting will never be the same. You will not recognize a letter from me when I finally have occasion to write you again. As it is, I must send to Kinellan once more, postponing my visit.”

Jane gave her eggshell a final scrape and, finding nothing on the spoon, then set it on her plate. “I am promising him, however, on my oath of honor, that I will attend his party this Christmas. If you do not wish to be alone with just Saunders and Cook, you might ask to visit your parents. Surely they could make room for you and the baby for a short stay.” Jane paused. “I seem to have come very far afield from the point I was making . . . Oh, yes, will Lord Kersey come by today to send you packing from Francis House.”

“Really, Jane, must you be so dramatic? The next time I see you, you will be on the stage in Drury Lane.”

“If I’d had no prospects of a good marriage I might well have gone on the stage, despite its scandalous reputation.” Folding her napkin precisely, Jane gave the linen a parting crease with her fingers. “I believe I would have had much more fun than I have had, even with Tark.”

“Jane!” Maria’s cheeks heated. Everyone knew that actresses were no better than they should be. To have her cousin admit that she would have indulged in . . . such doings with gentlemen other than her husband was quite shocking. Of course, Maria had found out her cousin had a wild streak she never would have guessed a year ago.

“Oh, I wouldn’t do it now, mind you. Although I have managed my share of discreet liaisons since coming out of mourning.” The far-off look in her cousin’s eyes was accompanied by a totally sly smile. “One must protect one’s reputation even in widowhood.”

“Jane, for goodness’ sake. You were speaking about Lord Kersey forcing me to leave.”

“Oh, yes. Well”—Jane rose and laid her folded napkin on her plate—“the earl has likely been able to give the matter some thought since our meeting on Friday and has come to the conclusion that it will be much more convenient for him if he does not have to pay the upkeep of a woman and her dependents to whom he is not really related at all. Therefore, expect a letter”—Jane pretended she was receiving a letter and unfolded the invisible document—“telling you that after further consideration he wishes you to pack your things and return to from where you came.” With a sweeping gesture, Jane pointed her finger at the door.

Which at that precise moment opened, and Saunders walked through the entryway and right into Jane’s finger.

“Ooof.” The butler staggered back as Jane snatched her finger away from him. “I beg your pardon, my lady.” He straightened his vest with one hand, and brought the other from behind his back, holding a silver tray with a letter on it out toward Maria.

She gave one wild, stricken look at Jane. Surely her cousin hadn’t conjured this missive with her remarks of a few minutes ago. That would be absurd. Hesitantly, Maria took the letter, looking from Saunders to Jane, not quite knowing what to do.

After an awkward moment of silence, the butler bowed and withdrew, leaving Maria and Jane staring at the sheet of creamy stationery.

“Perhaps it is not from Lord Kersey.” For once Jane seemed taken totally aback. She bit her lips, and kept clenching and opening her hands.

Dutifully, Maria turned the letter over, revealing the melted red wax wafer and the imprint of the Kersey crest. A fit of choked laughter bubbled up in Maria’s throat. This couldn’t be happening, yet what Jane had just suggested seemed to be coming to pass.

“Don’t be silly, my dear.” Her cousin must have caught her panicked air, for Jane pressed her hands stiffly to her sides. “It is likely a simple invitation to dine this evening.”

About as likely as an invitation to take tea with the Prince Regent. She stroked the heavy, smooth paper, turning it over and over. Nothing to do but open it and face whatever was to come. Straightening her back, Maria ripped off the wafer and unfolded the letter.

Dear Maria,

Given our somewhat formal meeting last week, I did not have time to discuss with you the situation the estate finds itself in at present.

An icy chill trickled down her spine, the cold fingers of doom touching every part of her as it made its way down to her toes. Read it. She must read the rest of it. Maria closed her eyes, breathed deeply, then opened them and read on.

As she read further, the ice spreading through her veins stopped. She lifted her gaze from the letter to Jane’s face, her slack jaw making her mouth drop open.

“Maria?” Jane was beside her, her hand supporting her arm as though she thought Maria might swoon. “What has happened?”

“Lord Kersey has asked me to leave Francis House and return to Kersey Hall.” She could scarcely believe the words as she said them. Hadn’t understood them the first time she’d read them.

Jane stepped back, her face a study of confusion. “He’s asked you to go to Kersey Hall and live with him and his family—like one of the family?”

Nodding, Maria held the paper out to her cousin. “Read for yourself.” Excitement built in her as Jane pored over the document.

“He gives no true explanation as to why he’s making this request.” Jane finally put the letter down on the dining table, her brows still furrowed.

“Does that truly matter, Cousin?” The relief that she finally allowed herself to embrace almost made Maria giddy. “Perhaps Lord Kersey consulted with Mr. Granger about the expenses of having the dower house running as a separate household versus having everyone under one roof.” She wanted to whirl around the room as if dancing a waltz. “The most important thing is that little Jane and I will have a home from now on, until she marries.”

“Or you do.”

Maria met Jane’s gaze, but her cousin looked innocent enough. “Well, I suppose that is true.”

“If you decide to marry again you will, of course, leave Kersey Hall, unless there is no need.” There was no mistaking the mischievousness in Jane’s voice now.

“I have no idea what you mean.”