“When you left us at the first of the year, you claimed you would rather be in the shadows than trapped in Papa’s schemes.” Rebecca mirrored her pose, putting them nose to nose. “And you changed your mind.”
Burning words climbed Annabel’s throat. “I gave you and Rachel a chance for life you would have never—”
“You told us you were going to prove to Father that his scheming was worthless and that you could care for yourself. Instead you did exactly what he’d planned in the first place.” Rebecca’s eyes glittered. “And don’t say it was for us, to give us what we wanted, because you never asked.”
Taken aback by the unshed tears, Annabel drew a deep breath and straightened. “Then tell me.”
Rebecca blinked.
“Would you have preferred to go the house party?” Annabel worked to banish the sarcasm of her question. She thought she could guess the answer, but this was about more than being right.
“Rachel was disappointed, I think, but we didn’t have much time to talk about it. She was busy packing while I was hiding anything Father could sell while we were gone.”
Which was why the painting had been cleaned. “Smart girl.”
“Good of you to notice.” Rebecca snorted a laugh. “I wanted to go to the country to be out in the air, but Bath was almost as good. Plus there were lectures on all sorts of topics. A botanist spent an entire afternoon discussing and displaying the orchids he’d gathered from the jungle.”
“You always did like flowers.” Annabel walked away from the door and propped her hip against the table, much like Jasper did when they were talking. She was grateful when her sister followed.
“Plants, Annie. I like plants.”
“And I despise Annie.”
“Because Father always shortens our names when he wants something,” Rebecca said. Her lips twisted. “But I draw the line at Lady Ramsbury.”
“Unless we’re in public.” Annabel winked. “Speaking of which, we received an invitation to an upcoming Botanical Society lecture. Would you like to attend with me? Jasper will be in Lords.” She would miss sitting next to him on the main floor while they tried not to laugh at the gray-bearded men who were shocked by her presence.
“I would, thank you.” Rebecca nibbled her bottom lip for a moment. “Do you think we could find a Latin tutor as well?”
“I’ll do my best.” It would be difficult to find one who wouldn’t be scandalized by teaching a young lady.
Annabel blinked. For the first time in years, she didn’t worry about the expense. She knew Jasper’s accounts like she knew her favorite novel. She also didn’t worry about whether Jasper would agree. He was generous to a fault with his family.
“The next time we visit Ramsbury, we’ll take you with us. The gardens there are being redone, and the man leading the project is a wonderful teacher.”
Rebecca pulled her into a quick, tight embrace. “Thank you.” When she pulled away, her smile was bright. “You are happy, aren’t you?”
“What?”
“Rachel and I wondered, at first. But he seems to be kind, and he’s almost always in good humor. He is, isn’t he? He’s not one way when we’re there and then another when you’re alone?”
The knot in her throat kept Annabel from speaking. All she could do was shake her head.
“You smile more, and you say his name very often in conversation.” Rebecca’s eyes gleamed as she leaned forward, the same as when they’d shared sisterly secrets. “Jane and Johanna say he’s quite besotted.”
He had also quite thoroughly convinced the ton he was a drunkard while sipping on water. Heat climbed Annabel’s neck. “You four shouldn’t gossip.”
“As though we have anything else to do during piano lessons.” Rebecca rolled her eyes. “And you know Rachel. It’s so romantic.”
“Don’t tease her so.” Annabel led the way from the dining room to the front door.
After one last tight embrace with her sister, she left the house in a better mood than when she had arrived. Her improving relationship with Rebecca was one reason. The other was that Jasper would be waiting at the other end of her journey.
And, yes, despite everything, it was rather romantic.
*
“Pardon me. So sorry.” Jasper tipped his hat to yet another lady, this one because he’d plowed into the other end of her pram.
The baby wailed in his wake as he refocused on the pedestrians in front of him. It was easier to find Raines now that the sea of hats had thinned to a trickle, but it was just as difficult to keep up with him.
“Mind your feet, sir.”
“My apologies.” Jasper tipped his hat without looking before skirting around another slow-moving couple.
A woman’s sturdy, simple cane caught his eye at the last possible moment. He stepped right to avoid kicking it away from her and jostled someone else. Someone much shorter.
“Paper, sir?”
Jasper pulled a coin from his pocket and took the paper with a quick nod and an even briefer smile. It still smelled of ink and would stain his gloves, but it might be a useful disguise. If Raines had spotted him earlier, the paper could throw him off at a second glance.
The young viscount turned the corner, heading away from Mayfair and deeper into town.
Damnation. That was the wrong way. Perhaps he should admit defeat and go home. It was where he wanted to be anyway. He slowed his steps and watched his quarry escape, second-guessing his decision to follow the man in the first place.
“I say! This is a coincidence. How are you, Ramsbury?”
Jasper glanced first to his father-in-law and then up the street to make certain Raines hadn’t heard the enthusiastic greeting.
