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“A concession indeed,” said Sarah. “After you puffed off all my grand friends.”
They exchanged ironic smiles. “People can be very superficial,” said Cecelia.
“I noticed you didn’t mention Charlotte.”
“Sadly, a Miss Deeping would not impress your in-laws.”
“And yet if any of my friends were to come here, I would most appreciate Charlotte’s cutting wit.”
“She would make short work of your father-in-law certainly,” Cecelia agreed. “Have you seen how he always looks to the countess before settling on a facial expression?”
Sarah hadn’t noticed this. She’d seen only blanket disapproval.
“We will have to see if we can elevate Charlotte to the heady heights you all are scaling,” Cecelia added facetiously.
And with that teasing remark, it came to Sarah that she had risen in rank. She’d always been a mere gentleman’s daughter, third in consequence among her four good friends. When Harriet became an heiress, she’d dropped to fourth and last. Now, as a married woman and wife of an earl’s heir, she had surpassed Charlotte. She wasn’t used to considering matters of precedence, and she cared nothing for it. But as Cecelia had pointed out, other people did. “Charlotte has sworn not to marry,” she said.
“And I’m sure she will stand by that pledge right up until she meets someone who makes her want to break it.”
“I can’t quite imagine what sort of person that would be.”
“It will be very interesting,” said Cecelia.
“She thinks rank and pomp are stupid.”
“They are often empty and undeserved. But sometimes they give one scope to contribute to the good of society, by which I mean everyone and not just thehaut ton.”
“You’ve thought about this,” Sarah noted.
“Of course.”
She spoke as if it was only natural, but Sarah knew it was not. Many titled people took their privileges for granted or exploited them shamelessly. She wondered if she could do good in her new position, once she settled into it. If she ever did.
Cecelia took a small notebook and pencil from her reticule and jotted down a few words. “We must remember to examine the well at Tresigan,” she said when Sarah looked inquiring. “See if it looks clear and clean.”
Sarah had seen her long list. This expedition was to decide the details of work to be done. “Merlin is drinking from it,” she offered.
“And how very oddthatsounds,” replied the duchess.
“I don’t know what else to call him.”
Cecelia waved this aside. “Fine old houses should not be allowed to sink into ruin.”
“Or left empty,” replied Sarah. “I thought he was right about that.”
“Yes.”
“What will you do with him?” Sarah asked.
“I’m not sure it is up to me todoanything. If he wants help, we can offer some.”
“What if he tries to stop work on the house? Or refuses to leave?”
Cecelia nodded, acknowledging the problem. “I did not get the sense that he would. But I might be wrong, which is another reason I wished to go back. I thought he might speak more freely to us.”
“Since we are mere women.”
“Precisely,” said Cecelia with a sly smile.
