“We’re going to spend the day with Gideon and Elizabeth,” Constance, Charlotte’s daughter, named Matt and Grace’s elder children.
Constance took Alice’s hand. “We want to see Posy and Zeus too.”
Posy and Zeus were Great Danes. Matt brought home Zeus after Duke had died and then Daisy died a year later, and Posy came to live with them. Yet, while Duke and Daisy had spent most of their time with Alice, Eleanor, and Madeline, Zeus and Posy belonged more to Elizabeth and Gideon. When they weren’t trying to guard Edward and Gaia, Grace’s eighteen-month-old twins, from bath time that was.
Alice made her way to her chamber. She, Eleanor, and Madeline had received separate bedchambers and shared a parlor that had been named The Young Ladies Parlor.
Bertram, Alice’s maid, was supervising the filling of the bathtub when Alice entered her bedroom. “Thank you. We have family joining us for breakfast.”
“So I was told.” Bertram tested the heat of the bathwater then turned toward the footman. “Thank you. This is perfect.” Once they’d left, she helped Alice out of her riding habit. “It will only get busier from here.”
Alice sank into the tub. “Very true.” She considered telling her dresser about the gentlemen, but what was there to say? That they had different shades of red hair and looked to be gentlemen? She washed and stood to be rinsed. “I am looking forward to our first entertainments. Have you heard anything about our brothers or Lady Phinn arriving?”
“Master Walter and Master Phillip will be here for Easter. I’m sorry, my lady. I have been told nothing about Lord Stanwood or Lady Phineas.”
Alice tried not to be disappointed. They had promised to be here, and they would be. She just wished she knew when they would arrive.
She gained in the corridor a second before her sisters. Suddenly, there were squeals of delight from the hall. It had to be them! And just in time! She exchanged quick looks with Eleanor and Madeline, and they rushed down the stairs.
CHAPTER TWO
Alice stood back as the younger members of the family greeted Augusta, Phinn, and Charlie. Elizabeth had been a year old, and Gideon had been two when they left. But Grace and Alice’s other brothers and sisters had read their letters to the children. Their sisters Theo, now fourteen, and Mary, eleven, were hugging the prodigals. Augusta’s Great Dane waited patiently to be acknowledged. Alice vaguely remembered the dog being mentioned in one of her sister’s letters.
Mary pointed at the Dane. “Whose dog is that and what is its name?”
“This is Minerva.” Augusta indicated a box on the floor. “Etienne is in there. We found them in Vienna. Minerva’s original owner died, and Phinn bought Etienne for me.”
“It was one of my attempts to get her to marry me.” Phinn smiled ruefully.
He had followed her to Europe when she went to travel with cousins.
“We are very happy to have you all back home.” Grace exchanged a glance with Matt, who was smiling broadly.
“And in good time too,” Matt said as he started walking toward the breakfast room. “Will you stay with us, or have you made other arrangements?”
Augusta tucked her hand in the crook of her husband’s arm. “Charlie has asked us to reside with him for the Season.”
“How did you all manage to arrive at the same time?” Eleanor asked.
Charlie held Grace’s chair then sat on her right. “I was in Spain when I ran into them on their way home. I decided it was time for me to return as well.”
“What happened to your bear-leader?” Matt asked.
“He wanted to explore Europe for a while longer,” Charlie said, accepting a cup of tea. “Since I was with family members, we agreed to part ways.”
“I am glad everything worked out so well.” Eleanor said. “Albeit, knowing Augusta, that does not surprise me at all.”
“Oh, no. I cannot take credit.” Augusta cut a piece of toast in half. “Cousin Prudence and Mr. Boman, Phinn’s secretary, usually make the arrangements.”
“They married not long after we did. They’ll be visiting their families for a month or so,” Phinn added.
Charlie took a slice of rare beef from a platter. “Speaking of secretaries, I must find one. I must also take my seat in the Lords.”
“Well, then.” Matt nodded. “I am happy to help you with both tasks.”
Augusta glanced at Eleanor, Madeline, and Alice. “I suppose your first event is Lady Bellamny’s soirée for young ladies.”
“Almost,” Eleanor said. “Lady Exeter’s sister-in-law, Penelope, is coming out as well. We have been invited to tea with her and two of her friends.”
“I would like to accompany you.” Augusta’s eyes smiled. “I would love to see Dorie Exeter again. We have written to each other over the years, and she knows I’ll be here soon.”
“Or now,” Madeline commented.
Alice exchanged a glance at her twin. And they couldn’t stop from laughing. Charlotte and Louisa were silently laughing as well.
“Yes, now.” Augusta grinned. “While we have you all here, Phinn and I have an announcement. We are expecting a baby in September.”
“That is wonderful news,” Grace exclaimed.
“More cousins!” Elizabeth said.
As everyone congratulated their sister and brother-in-law. Alice caught Eleanor’s and Madeline’s eyes. If they married this Season, by this time next year they could be mothers. The only question was who would they wed?
* * *
Giff and Montagu arrived at the Park as three young ladies on varying colors of Cleveland Bay mares were departing. “We need to discover a way to meet them.”
“If they’re making their come outs, we will not be able to avoid it.” Montagu commented.
