Daisies and Devotion by Josi S. Kilpack

Author:Josi S. Kilpack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Published: 2019-03-28T19:59:13+00:00

I am sorry that your sister was unable to join us, Miss Morrington,” Mrs. Blomquist said from the other side of the table. Maryann didn’t mind Deborah’s absence so much now that she knew the reason.

“As am I,” Maryann said easily. “I hope she will be restored to her usual self soon, however.” She shared a conspiratorial look with Lady Dominique, the only other person aware of what truly ailed Deborah. Lady Dominque gave a smile and a nod. As Lucas was her only son, she had a great deal of investment in this growing child.

“Was she not at the opera Monday night?” Mrs. Blomquist frowned, clearly displeased that Deborah had apparently been well enough for something as trifling as the opera but not in fine enough fettle for tea today.

“She did attend the opera,” Maryann said in a sympathetic tone. “But I am afraid she likely should not have. She was quite ill through the finale, and it laid her flat for all of yesterday.”

Deborah had even been sick during the carriage ride home, having had to use Lucas’s cloak to contain the mess. And then, of course, she’d cried for being such a burden. Maryann had helped Deborah calm down upon arriving at home and assured her that Lucas did not regret having married her and that she was not the most ridiculous woman ever created. Deborah had slept most of Tuesday, and had only tea with dinner that night.

“I’m afraid it is my fault she did not attend today as I insisted she stay at home to rest and work on the seating chart for Lady Dominique’s ball.” She shared another smile with Deborah’s mother-in-law. “I am afraid I was quite fierce with my orders. I can only hope she will still be speaking to me when I return.”

Mrs. Blomquist brightened at the thought of sisterly rivalry on her behalf. “Well, of course she must rest, then. Please give her my sympathy and wishes for good health to be restored soon.”

“I most certainly will.”

“And your ball?” Mrs. Blomquist asked Lady Dominique. “The plans are formulating well?”

“Yes,” the dame said, inclining her head. “This is the first year I have had someone to help me, and Deborah has proven to be quite capable.”

Away from Lady Dominque’s presence, Deborah was scared to death that she was going to ruin the annual ball that had been twelve years running. Lucas and Maryann took turns reassuring her that she was an adept hostess and all would be well.

“Who have you invited to tea this week, Martha?” Lady Dominique asked, drawing the hostess’s attention.

“The Middletons will be coming again. I find them so very intriguing.”

And rich, Maryann noted. Old money was Mrs. Blomquist’s most respected virtue, and the Middletons were as old money as old money could be.

“And then there is a lovely girl just down from Nottingham this last week. Nineteen years old and being sponsored by her aunt, Mrs. Wallace. She had her coming out in her own village.”

Mrs. Blomquist frowned at that.

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