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Derrick put that to one side. Maybe now was not the time to think about his new wife in a way that would make him want to grab her and tug her into one of the bedrooms Ellie would have set up. That was asking for trouble.
“Come on, let’s go in.” Ellie put her arm through Regina’s. “I’ll show you around and introduce you to Mrs Matthews. She’s an angel. Where’s Dorothea now?”
A sudden squeal and a splash drew Derrick’s attention back to the garden. He laughed.
“I think your little sister’s found the ornate pond we have past the rose bush.”
“Oh, great.” Ellie groaned as she pulled away from Regina. “She would go and do that. I swear she doesn’t look where she’s going.”
“I’ll go and rescue her. It’s not very deep, anyway.” Derrick gestured towards the house as he set off across the lawn. “But I would suggest getting her some fresh clothes and something to dry her off.”
Now that was one way of making an entrance.
#
“Oh, honestly, Dorothea!” Ellie said as she dried Dorothea’s hair with the cloth. “Of all the things you had to do, why did you have to fall into the pond?”
“I didn’t know it was there!” Dorothea protested. “I was just exploring, and it came out of nowhere.”
“To be fair to her, it is hidden,” Mrs Matthews said, laying out Dorothea’s gown and undergarments on the bed. “Whenever a guest stays here, they often end up in trouble. It does kind of jump out at you.”
Ellie could agree to that. She had seen the sight from Dorothea’s window. While she was aware of where the pond was, it was obscured by the shrubbery and flowers. She might have lost her footing herself.
Shaking her head, she put the cloth to one side and rubbed her sister’s shoulders.
“How are you feeling now? A bit warmer?”
“A little bit.” Dorothea was still shivering. “I don’t understand how I can feel so cold when it’s such a warm day. That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It’s just the shock, dear.” Mrs Matthews gave her a smile in the reflection from the mirror. “Lord Northampton is making up the fire in the drawing room. You’ll warm up eventually, although the room is going to end up feeling like you’re in a sweathouse after a while.”
Dorothea managed a tiny smile. Ellie sighed and kissed her sister’s head.
“Do you need help getting dressed, or are you able to manage on your own?”
“I might need some help.” Dorothea withdrew her hands from the cloth and flexed her fingers. “My hands are still cold.”
“I’ll help her.”
Ellie turned to Mrs Matthews. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. That’s what I’m here for.” The housekeeper ushered Ellie towards the door. “You go and find your husband, my lady. I’ll look after Miss Dorothea. She’s in safe hands.”
Ellie didn’t doubt that. She had only known the older woman a few hours, but she was already certain that she was more than capable. Ellie squeezed her sister’s shoulders.
“Just get yourself warm, little sister. Derrick and I are hosting dinner at the house tonight with his mother. I’d love it if you two join us as well.”
“Of course. I want to explore your new home.” Dorothea cast her a sly glance. “You and… Derrick… can’t have it to yourselves every day, can you?”
“Cheeky girl.”
Ellie nodded at Mrs Matthews and left the room. Regina and Derrick were in the drawing room, Derrick prodding at the fire in the hearth. Regina was standing by the open windows, fanning herself. Ellie laughed.
“Isn’t having the windows open when the fire is lit defeating the objective of keeping the room warm?”
“Have you felt how warm it is?” Regina pointed out. “It’s stifling!”
“Then go into another room, you silly thing. It’s just until Dorothea warms up enough that she won’t catch a chill.”
