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Laxton wouldn’t be spreading any more malicious rumors about his sisters.
Chapter Ten
Viola laughed happily as the Delamar sisters clustered around her, all speaking at once.
“We know you’re the one who convinced West to allow us to attend the Season,” Lady Blanche said, her eyes alive with delight.
“And hold our musicale!” Birdie said.
“Thanksvery muchfor that,” said Betsy with an eyeroll, but she was grinning.
“And your father is here!” said Bernadette. “We’re so honored that he’ll compose his symphony next door.”
“Oh, we did miss you terribly, Miss Beaton.” Birdie took her hand. “Did you miss us?”
“Of course I did. I thought about you all the time. What’s happened since I left?”
Birdie danced toward the pianoforte. “I finished the sonatina I’ve been working on. I’ll play it for you!”
“Blanche wrote a letter to Lord Laxton and he hasn’t responded yet.”
“Bets,” Lady Blanche exclaimed. “You tattletale. How did you know?”
“You run downstairs to ask about the post every day. It’s not very secretive.”
“Your brother won’t be pleased,” Viola said.
“I don’t care,” said Blanche. “I know Lord Laxton will respond. He’s been called away from London unexpectedly, but he’ll write to me.”
“I improved my bowling line and length,” Betsy said proudly.
“And I’ve been identifying and studying the insect specimens sent to me by Lady Philippa Bramble from your club,” said Bernadette.
“My, you’ve all been very busy,” Viola said with a laugh. She’d missed them so much.
“West told us that your father is losing his hearing,” said Birdie. “It must be dreadful for a composer. West instructed us to be very sensitive to his condition. We have a real live genius living next door. It’s so exciting! Do you think we might hear him play?”
“I’m quite certain you’ll hear him do a great many things. He’s not very quiet.”
“We’re so very glad you’re back, Miss Beaton. And you’re to be our companion as well as our music teacher. It’s more than I dared hope for,” said Belinda.
“I may be your companion, but I’ll have my eye on you in the manner of a chaperone,” Viola said sternly.
“We’re very proud of West for convincing you to return.” Blanche leaned in. “How did he do it? We couldn’t coax anything out of him.”
“He tripled my salary.” She wouldn’t mention that he’d rescued her from unwelcome attentions. Or how thrillingly, dangerously handsome he’d looked doing it.
Bernadette nodded approvingly. “As he should. He can afford it since he’s marrying Miss Chandler. Many of his debts have already been settled. And he’s been throwing money at us.”
“I have a whole new wardrobe!” Belinda cried. “I modeled my gowns after Miss Chandler’s. She’s very fashionable and beautiful, even if she’s dreadfully American.”
“I heard what you lot did to her when she visited. That was very badly done of you,” Viola scolded.
“I didn’t mean to hit the ball through the window,” Betsy protested.
“How was I to know she’d be insulted by the idea of her gown being the same color as a dung beetle?” Bernadette shrugged. “It was meant as a compliment.”
Viola tried not to smile and failed. “I’ve missed you.”
