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Matthew joined her and the girls, who jumped in excitement as Rachel and Lewis descended the stairs.
“Rose, my darling,” Rachel said.“I am so happy you are here.”She pressed a kiss to Rose’s cheek.
“Your Grace,” Lewis said, executing a bow.“How delighted we are to have you.”
“Rachel.Lewis.This is my husband, Mr.Matthew Hardy.And Matthew, this is my sister and her husband, Lord Sturry.”Matthew bowed with all the manners of atongentleman.
“Welcome,” Lewis said as they shook hands.
“My how you’ve grown, Elaina.Lydia will barely recognize you.And who is this?I don’t think I recognized you at all.”
“Auntie, it’s me, Ava.”
“Come inside.Food and drink await, and the children are fidgeting in their playroom.I promised they could see Ava and Elaina before bedtime.Bierly,” she said, waving to a footman.
Elaina took Rose’s hand.“Mama, can we give our cousins their gifts?”
Rose bent and whispered in her ear, “Of course, darling.”She pressed a kiss to Elaina’s forehead before they ran off.
“This way, children,” Bierly said.Tilly followed.
“Shaw can show you to your rooms so you can refresh yourself.We can eat in an hour, if that is acceptable,” Rachel said.
“Of course.I’ll be right along, Matthew.”He bowed again and followed another footman away.“Lewis, forgive me for wanting my sister’s time,” Rose said.
“I understand completely.We’ve heard nothing but ‘Rose is coming’ for the last week.”
“And at last, she is here!Come, my darling Rose.We’ll sit in the drawing room before dinner.”
They hooked their arms and strolled toward the room.They sat near the double doors where the waning sunset still lighted the room in dusky hues and dust motes.
“A husband indeed!”Rachel said, touching Rose’s arm.“I think you have done very well for yourself, Rose.”
“Except for a title.”
“Pshaw.When a man appears so fine in his cut jacket, I think we can forgive a little proof of nobility.”
“And yet, he is unexpectedly honorable.I can’t explain it, Rachel, but for all his past and his business acumen, he has all the traits many noblemen claim but obviously do not possess.”
“Rose...”her sister said, with sweet hopefulness in her voice.Was that the sound of relief, as well?
“All is well, now,” Rose said in return.Rachel knew of the burdens Rose had been carrying since Edmond’s death.
“Tell me, why aren’t you on your honeymoon rather than Sturry Park?A trip to Italy?A month in Majorca?I’m sure you would enjoy it very much.”
“Surprisingly, we haven’t even talked about such a trip.He has a very nice home in Islington.You must visit soon.I am currently restocking his library.It was an absolute disaster.I intend to make it much finer than Sandhurst’s.That is honeymoon enough.”
“Tell me it will rival the Bodleian in Oxford, then I will be impressed.”
“Rachel, aside from my desperation to see you, I did have a reason for coming.”
“The jewels?”she whispered.
“Yes.Cyril came to Highwood and threatened me.He wants the jewels badly.”
“Then you ought to leave them here with me and Lewis.We can keep them safe, plus there is the benefit of location.”
“I don’t want to bring you into my drama.And you are not so far from London should Cyril guess you have them.Let’s talk tomorrow.I need to wash my face and put on a clean dress.Are we in my usual rooms?”
