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“Would you believe, that wild Northcott son, the one who has been traipsing all over the colonies, he had a talk with her about how she was carrying on, and it seemed to affect her more than anything I’ve been saying.”
“Really?” Florent asked. “I thought she hated Foster ever since she was twelve or thirteen.”
Lady Alcott made a non-committal expression. “I thought so, too, but perhaps she got over it.”
Florent frowned. He didn’t really see his sister as the sort who got over that degree of emotions, but who was he to argue the subject?
“Have you made any other new friendships while you’ve been here? You didn’t actually tell me anything about Lady Bathurst, either.”
His mother giggled. He had never heard her make such a sound before. Florent wasn’t sure what to make of the strange occurrence. It would seem the older woman was ready to reclaim her youth now that her youngest daughter was nearly launched.
“She was my best friend when I went to school briefly before I made my debut. And we debuted together. But then Bathurst is far away and there’s only so much that can be said in a letter and when your house is filling with children, you’d rather spend time with them than sitting down to write endless letters, so our friendship waned over time. Now she’s in Town with her youngest as am I, and we’ve renewed the acquaintance.”
“Has Daisy become friends with their daughter?” Florent wondered how his sister was feeling about their mother’s new distraction. He didn’t have to wait long to learn some of it. His mother sighed.
“Daisy has not done well, I’m afraid to say. I think we shouldn’t have bothered with a Season for her this year. It is the strangest thing, Flor. As I said, you should try talking to her.”
“I?” Florent repeated with surprise. “She isn’t likely to listen to me in matters of Society. I have woefully neglected her since she made her debut. And as you know I have barely set foot in Town. Surely I have no experience to share with her on this matter.”
“Sure you do,” his fond mother insisted. “You have always watched out for her. There were many occasions I could note. This is not much different.”
Florent’s eyebrows felt like they were receding into his hairline. “What would you have me talk to her about?” He did quite love his sister even if he couldn’t imagine trying to direct her in this regard. In any regard, really. Their Daisy had a mind of her own.
“She seems to be trying too hard. The poor dear is determined to wed, but there haven’t yet been any offers this year. I’m worried what will happen to her if she doesn’t receive an offer.” She paused for a moment before adding, “Actually, that was in Town. Here, she keeps absenting herself. I am not sure what she’s up to, and I have been too preoccupied to pursue the topic. I also have no desire for unpleasantness. You know how she can be. You should do it.”
Florent laughed. He loved his mother dearly, but he knew she was ready to retire from the position of chaperone. He had no idea how he was to talk to his sister on this topic, but he needed to find her first.
“I am not confident of my success in dealing with Daisy, but I will try to speak with her. When was the last time you saw her?”
“This morning,” his mother replied promptly but too vaguely for Florent’s comfort. “You are a dear, thank you, my boy.”
Flor grinned again. He didn’t feel like a boy. He hadn’t done so since he’d finished school and started trying to turn his family’s fortunes around. It had been more than a decade, but he was finally quietly confident that he had succeeded. He also felt old from the experience. He had hidden it from all his younger siblings. They thought he was an odd stick. He envied them their carefree youth. He hadn’t had that experience but was glad he had been able to provide it for them, whether they acknowledged the fact or not.
After bowing over his mother’s hand, Florent turned on his heel, ready to resume his responsibilities.
