“What did you think would happen when you played in the snow, Miss Miller.” Sebastian snaps from the hallway.
“Hardly playing, Sir. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name?” Aiylin snaps and trembles in her heavy, wet clothing.
“Forgive my son, Sebastian, he’s clearly forgotten his manners.”
“Your Bastian?” Delight flickers across her lovely face, “Patrick has told us many stories of your childhood antics,” Aiylin teases.
“I am Sebastian Becker, you may call me, Mr. Becker,” Sebastian snaps. How many women will be thrown at him trying to marry into his money? His aunt has been trying to get money from him for years. He turns to walk away, missing the shocked expression on Aiylin’s face.
“Of course,” Aiylin stammers, “I can explain,” she turns to Elizabeth.
“Mrs. Becker, you won’t believe the journey this young woman has had,” Stanley interrupts from the doorway. “She was robbed at the station, and we had to stop to buy her some necessary items and clothes, then it started to snow. I had a wagon full of supplies, and well, I dropped her at the edge of the path.”
Sebastian stops and turns around. He steps back towards her, causing Aiylin to back away from him. The flash of fear across her face has him stopping. “I hope you weren’t hurt, Miss Miller.”
“I’m fine, though your floors are getting wetter by the second,” Aiylin quips.
“Where are my manners?” Elizabeth takes her by the arm and guides her up the stairs and away from the glowering man. “Come with me. A warm bath will set you right.”
“Thank you,” she turns to look at Stanley. “Where is my case?” she asks.
“I had it sent to your room, Miss Miller,” he smiles at the relief on her face.
“Wonderful.”
After she disappears, Sebastian releases his breath.
“She’s lovely,” Stanley sighs. “All she cared about was her instrument. Not her clothes and she refused to let me pay for anything. Poor girl got chilled on the ride.” He turns and hurries back to help unload supplies.
Sebastian frowns and finds Tinley watching him. “I dreamed about her Daddy, and she came.”
“What?” he asks and scoops his daughter up. “Why did you go out without your coat?”
“I saw her daddy, waiting under the light!”
“I see how that could be confusing, love, but right now we need to get you warmed up and ready for the party.”
“Are you going to dance with me?” she asks sweetly.
“Is my name on your dance card?”
“I don’t have a dance card, Daddy,” she pouts.
“That’s okay, all your dances are for me.”
Tinley giggles and hugs her daddy. “But maybe, just save one dance for her.”
“We’ll see.” Patrick is engaged to marry Miss Miller, and from what he’s seen, his cousin is one lucky man. Her beauty is undeniable, and those eyes! He’s never quite seen anything that color before. She seems to be graceful and engaged, he reminds himself. The flash of fear has him questioning his cousin’s treatment of her.
Elizabeth guides her up the wooden steps and past multiple bedrooms, on the second floor, before stopping in front of double doors. She pushes them open and walks inside with Aiylin following. “This will be your room.”
Her bags have been unpacked, and her dresses are hanging, but her eyes are instantly drawn to her case. “Oh!” she gasps, “Thank goodness,” she rushes forward, being sure not to drip on it as she opens it to inspect it. A sigh of relief and she turns to find Elizabeth watching her.
“I must look a mess,” Aiylin teases as she closes the case.
“A bit. The party isn’t until eight, I will have a tray sent up for you with hot tea and biscuits. Enjoy a long bath, Miss Miller.”
Aiylin starts to unbutton her wet coat. The thick fur trim is now saturated, but the red wool was able to keep most of the water on the outer layer of the coat.
“A word please, Mrs. Becker.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth lets the maid in, she starts the bath and takes the soaked coat.
“As I said earlier, I am Aiylin Miller. My sister, Mena, sent me in her stead, and your nephew Patrick asked me to give you this letter.” She pulls the slightly damp letter from her corset and blushes.
“Thankfully I kept it close, or it too would have been stolen.”
“I see.” Elizabeth smiles hugely and stares at her. “Let me make sure I understand correctly. You aren’t marrying Patrick, he married your sister, Mena,” she asks.
“Exactly. In fact, they were married Thursday and are on holiday. The letter explains everything. I needed to get away, and Mena and Patrick asked that I come and tell you in person.”
“I see. Patrick is one of my favorites. Your sister must be special to have stolen his heart.”
“They were lucky to find each other. Patrick has been like a brother to me, and Mena adores him.”
“I’ll explain everything to Sebastian while you get cleaned up for the party.”
“Right this way, Miss Miller,” the maid says.
Elizabeth sits on the edge of the bed and reads the two-page letter detailing her sister’s disgraceful behavior. They sent Aiylin in her place, and she is expected to leave tomorrow on the train.
“We shall see what the weather does. Our new guest may need to stay a little longer, which may not be a bad thing.” She hurries from the room smiling after instructing the maid to help dress Miss Miller.
“The party will be held in the spacious parlors located on the first floor. This provides formal living areas for guests who do not wish to participate in dancing,” the maid explains as she helps with Aiylin’s hair.
They pull it up, securing it with a black clip and fasten the choker with a musical note around her
