Kate shared an amused look with Edward. “I find the birds endearing.”
Hannah sat across from Kate and placed a linen napkin on her lap. “That is because they aren’t perched right outside of your window.”
“We can hear them in our bedchamber, as well.”
Edward turned the page of the newspaper. “You could always sleep with your window closed. That would stifle much of the noise.”
“Then it would be much too stuffy in my chambers,” Hannah remarked.
“You could always switch bedchambers,” Kate suggested, reaching for her teacup.
Hannah shook her head as a footman placed a cup of chocolate in front of her and stepped back. “I love my bedchamber,” she replied. “I am just going to have to find a way to beat the birds at their own game.”
“I truly don’t believe the birds have nefarious intentions,” Kate teased.
Reaching for her chocolate, Hannah countered, “That is what they want you to believe, but I know better.”
Kate laughed. “I fear you are past hope, my dear sister.”
Edward put the newspaper down and rose. “I’m afraid I must depart for a meeting with my solicitor.” He leaned down and kissed his wife on the cheek. “I will be back later today.”
“Please ensure that you are back in time to dress for Miss Olivia’s engagement ball,” Kate said.
Straightening, Edward grimaced. “Must we go?”
Kate nodded. “Yes. Miss Olivia is a former client, and we must go to support her. Besides, we need to escort Hannah to the ball.”
“Of course.” Edward took a step back from the table. “How could I forget so quickly?”
Hannah wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “I do appreciate you escorting me, Edward.”
Her brother-in-law smiled kindly at her. “It is my pleasure, Hannah,” he remarked before he departed.
“I feel bad for Edward,” Hannah said. “He hates attending balls and social gatherings.”
“That he does,” Kate agreed.
“Why does he go, then?”
Kate smirked. “Because I ask him nicely.” She reached for the morning newspaper and started rifling through the pages. “Olivia’s engagement ball made the Society page.”
“How exciting,” Hannah said. “I bet that pleased her mother immensely.”
“I have no doubt. Lady Vincent was ecstatic when Lord George offered for Olivia.”
Hannah picked up her toast and took a bite of it. “Would you care to go shopping with me today?” she asked as she put the toast back on her plate.
“I would be happy to,” Kate replied. “Are you looking for something specific?”
“I’m hoping to find fabric for a new gown I have been designing.”
“That’s wonderful.” Kate picked up the papers on the table and rose. “Allow me to finish reading through this correspondence, and I will be ready within the hour.”
Hannah watched Kate’s retreating figure and sighed. She was bored and needed to find a way to entertain herself. Fortunately, shopping always brought her out of her humdrum.
Hannah stared out the window as the coach rolled along towards the shops. Her attention was on the men and women walking purposefully down the street. How she envied them. They all appeared to know exactly where they wanted to go, whereas she just felt lost.
She’d felt alone since Amelia had married. Which was odd, since she lived in a townhouse full of servants and a doting older sister. But she’d always shared a special bond with Amelia, despite their differences.
She smiled at that thought, because their differences were indeed vast. Not only did they differ in appearance, but they bantered constantly about everything. There were very few things they actually agreed on.
Kate’s voice broke through the silence. “What are you smiling about?”
“I was just thinking about Amelia,” Hannah admitted, “and how she detests shopping.”
“That she does,” Kate agreed.
“I’m truly happy for her, but I find that I miss her dreadfully.”
“As do I.”
Hannah sighed. “Amelia has Edmund, and you have Edward,” she started, “but I have no one.”
Kate looked at her with compassion in her eyes. “You will always have me.”
“I know, and I am most grateful for that,” Hannah rushed out. “But ever since Amelia married, I find myself feeling alone.”
“Then I shall spend more time with you.”
Hannah shook her head. “That would be terribly unfair of me, especially since you have only been married yourself for two months.”
“I had no idea you were feeling like this,” Kate said.
Hannah gave her sister a weak smile. “I didn’t want to bother you with my trivial emotions.”
“Emotions are not trivial.” Kate grew silent for a moment, then asked, “Are you interested in matrimony?”
Hannah pressed her lips together, delaying her response. There was only one man that she would ever consider marrying, but she couldn’t very well admit that to her sister. Knowing that Kate was still waiting for a response, she replied, “I am not opposed to it.”
“What wonderful news!” Kate exclaimed. “We shall match you with the most brilliant suitors.”
Hannah put her hand up in front of her. “No, I do not want your assistance.”
“No?” Kate asked, puzzled. “Whyever not?”
“Because I want to be the one to find my own match.”
Kate smiled indulgently at her. “I completely understand.”
“You do?”
“I do,” Kate replied, “but I would be more than happy to render assistance, if you ever so desire.”
“I appreciate that.”
Kate glanced out the window. “I’m afraid I miss being a matchmaker.”
“Then perhaps we should bring on a few clients,” Hannah suggested.
“You wouldn’t be opposed to that?” Kate asked. “I know I promised we wouldn’t take on any clients for the rest of the Season.”
Hannah gave a half-shrug. “Frankly, I think it might help with my humdrum.”
A bright smile came to Kate’s face. “We have a huge pile of correspondence from people who have been requesting our services.”
“Then by all means, I think it is time that you sort through them and find the perfect clients.”
“I will, as soon as we return home.”
“Will Edward be all right with you taking on clients?” Hannah inquired.
Kate waved a hand in front of her. “He will be thrilled.”
Hannah laughed. “You seem rather confident.”
“Edward just
