No greater lie had ever been spoken. She laughed softly to herself as she headed down the hallway toward the stairs that would lead her to the drawing room where Rebecca had told her she would wait.
One day and already her head was spinning. This place would be the end of her. But at least Rebecca would have a taste of this lifestyle, and hopefully that would satisfy her. It would no doubt give her inspiration for all the balls and soirees she’d throw for the officers back at the fort.
The thought of home made her smile and she was so lost in thought she nearly walked headlong into Sebastian.
“There you are,” he said. “I was just coming to fetch you. I was afraid the old man would keep you prisoner in his rooms, making you keep watch for hours upon end in case he caught a sniffle.”
Sally valiantly fought a grin. “You shouldn’t tease him, you know.”
His smile faded but the warm laughter was still there in his eyes. “I know. But one cannot coddle him too much lest he start to think we approve of him being ill.” He leaned in and lowered his voice as if letting her in on a secret. “Next thing you know he’ll believe Maxwell and I are wishing him into an early grave.”
She gasped and reached out to smack his arm before she could think twice. “That’s a horrible thing to say.”
“I know, but he likely believes it.”
She arched her brows and crossed her arms. “Why?”
“Pardon?” His amusement gave way to confusion. No doubt he was perplexed by her sudden change from amused to serious. “Why what?”
She sighed and glanced behind her at the rooms she’d just left. It was not kind nor ethical to speak about a patient. And yet, this was his son, and she suspected that this turn in the earl’s health could be traced to some change in his lifestyle or his household. Hearing the way he spoke of his sons only confirmed her suspicions that he was dwelling on rather dark emotions when it came to his family.
“Come,” she said, nodding toward the stairs. “I must find Rebecca.”
“Too late,” he said. “Miss Eversaw and some of the other young ladies invited her to go shopping in town before the weather takes a turn for the worse.”
“And Rebecca went with them?” Fear had her stopping mid-step to turn and face him. “Do you think she’ll be all right?”
He did not pretend to misunderstand, for which she was grateful. “Oh yes. Quite. It seems your sister is fantastically knowledgeable about ribbons and buttons and all sorts of frippery.” His voice was laced with laughter and it made her chest warm. It made her wish more than anything that she could laugh along with him.
But she had duties to perform and a sister to look after. “Yes, but, those ladies…” She bit her lip. It was one thing to think it. It was another thing entirely to say it aloud.
He nudged her arm with his elbow. “Out with it, friend.”
She exhaled loudly. “It’s just that, if they have brought her along in jest or to laugh about her lack of money and fineries—”
“I do not believe that is the case,” he said. For one rare moment he was serious. This was a new side of him altogether and it had her blinking in surprise, her breath leaving her as butterflies in her belly burst into flight.
“Sally,” he said in that low voice of his as he moved closer. “I know that you had a terrible first impression of this house and its guests—” He held up a hand when she went to protest. “No doubt warranted. Your reception yesterday was ghastly. But I assure you, there are some pleasant members of the ton and a few of them are here in attendance.”
She felt her lips twitching again at his confidential tone.
“More importantly, I assure you, if I thought your sister was in any danger with these ladies or that her accompanying them to the milliner in town would lead to her being hurt in any way, I would never have allowed her to go.”
Sally had to take a breath and swallow thickly at the sincerity in his eyes. His words registered belatedly. “Allowed her to go, hmm?” She started to laugh. “I should have liked to see you try and stop her.”
He started to laugh as well and the sound of it went beyond warm and comforting. In fact it made her feel decidedly too hot and not at all comfortable.
“Now,” he said, clapping his palms together. “If you are satisfied that Rebecca is in good hands, I’m hoping to steal you away before my father can come up with new ailments that require your attention.”
“Sebastian, that’s really not very understanding—Eep!” She was cut off abruptly as he reached for her hand and tugged, not letting go until they’d cleared the back garden and were striding toward the stables.
“Riding lesson?” she guessed. The chilly air plumed with steam in front of her, a forewarning of the frost and snow to come.
“How did you know?” he teased. “And don’t worry, one of your maids is on the way to act as chaperone.”
“But don’t you...that is…” She looked around at the barren grounds. “Aren’t there guests you ought to be entertaining?”
He smirked. “Probably.”
She couldn’t help another laugh. “Your father mentioned you were not terribly responsible.”
“Ah, you see. Now I could have told you he’d say that.”
“And you don’t deny it?” She had to hurry to keep up with his lengthy strides, but she loved it. Her lungs came alive in the crisp air and her blood seemed to hum in her veins as she found a brisk pace.
When she glanced up she saw that Sebastian had stopped to look at the sky, his gaze lost in thought. “Let’s just say that my father’s idea of responsibility differs from mine.”
“Ah,” she said. That cleared up approximately nothing. But a twinge of
