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If only her father had allowed her to stay behind and let Regina and Dorothea go to London. Aunt Diane and their cousin Emma could look after them. Then again, given how mischievous the two girls could be, Ellie had a feeling she needed to be present to keep them in line.
The carriage turned onto another street and pulled up outside a townhouse. Dorothea sat forward, almost knocking Ellie out of the way to look out.
“So, we’re here now?” she squealed. “We’re finally here!”
“Calm down, Dorothea. Aunt Diane doesn’t need you getting overexcited.”
“Oh, you fuss too much, Ellie! I’ll be fine.” Then Dorothea was squealing again, loud enough for Ellie to wince, and scrambled at the door handle. “There’s cousin Emma now!”
She was out before Ellie could stop her, bouncing past the footman, who managed to catch the door before it swung back. A tall, handsome woman with red hair had come out and was standing on the top step. Dorothea flung herself at the woman, almost knocking her over. After a moment of bewilderment, their cousin smiled and embraced Dorothea in return.
“Nice to see Dorothea is still spritely after such a journey,” Regina muttered. “My rear end feels like it’s gone as numb as my hand.”
“Regina!” Ellie glanced at the footman, who was putting on the appearance that he hadn’t just heard that comment. “Keep your voice down. You’re supposed to be an earl’s daughter.”
“What? Servants have rear ends as well, and I’m sure they get sore on occasion.” Regina rolled her eyes and pushed past Ellie. “Come on, let’s get out. I’m sure we need to get Dorothea off Emma.”
Sighing, Ellie followed Regina out onto the pavement, unable to look at the footman as she passed him. There were times when she wished that Regina wasn’t so blunt; she did end up speaking a little too loudly at the wrong moments.
Dorothea and Emma were talking on the top step, and both women turned as Regina and Ellie joined them. Emma gave Regina a smile and clasped her hands.
“Regina, darling. You look absolutely delightful.”
“Thank you, Emma.” Regina accepted the kiss on her cheek. “I’ll take that after bouncing around for several hours.”
Ellie nudged her sharply, but there was a twinkle in Emma’s eye as she turned to Ellie and reached out a hand.
“And Ellie. I can’t believe how grown up all of you are now. It’s only been two years, and it feels like I’m looking at different people.”
“You’ve not changed at all, Emma,” Ellie said warmly, squeezing her cousin’s hand. “I think you’ve gotten younger.”
“Oh, don’t be silly. But I appreciate the compliment.” Emma beckoned for the sisters to follow her. “Come with me. Mother has the housekeeper fixing some tea and cake for everyone. And your cousin Madeline is here, as well.”
Dorothea looked delighted.
“Madeline’s here? I thought she was living near the Scottish border.”
“Her husband has some business in London, and Madeline didn’t want to be away from him for long, so she’s come with him.” Emma glanced back. “It’s a delicate time for her, and all that.”
It took a moment for Ellie to realise what she had said. “Is Madeline pregnant?”
“She is.”
Now Regina was the one who was squealing. “Oh, that’s brilliant! I love babies!”
“You might have to wait a while before you see the baby. But I’m sure Madeline will make sure you’re one of the first people to meet her child.”
Regina looked delighted about that, and Ellie found herself smiling at her sister’s joy. Even when they were small, Regina absolutely adored babies. She had helped out with Dorothea, being their nanny’s little shadow, and she had doted on her younger cousins.
When she became a mother, she would be a great parent. Ellie could see it.
Leaving their coats and hats with the butler, a wizened old man who was shorter than Ellie, the sisters followed Emma into the drawing room. A young woman with a round face and pale red hair was sitting on the settee, wearing a sky-blue dress and looking very healthy with rosy cheeks. She was rubbing her belly, which was starting to look a little swollen. She beamed when they filed in.
“You’re finally here.”
“Madeline!” Regina hurried forward, sitting beside her cousin while staring at her belly. “I didn’t realise you were this far along. And you travelled this far?”
“Well, I wasn’t about to let Matthew come to London and stay for a month without me.” Madeline shrugged. “I suppose I’m emotional due to the baby, but I didn’t want to leave his side.”
