Jack of All Trades: Millcastle, Book 4 by Kate Pearce

Author:Kate Pearce
Language: eng
Format: epub

“Alice!” Ivy leapt up from her seat. “I’m so glad you could come. “She spun around in a circle, her hands outstretched. “As you can see, nothing has changed. I haven’t had the energy.”

“You’ve barely unpacked your bags yet.” Alice kissed her friend’s cheek.

“I haven’t even done that. My maid did it for me.” Ivy grimaced. “Nothing fits me anyway. Caroline’s sending her dressmaker this afternoon to help with the alterations.”

“Then you will soon be comfortable,” Alice assured her. She gestured at her stepdaughter. “I brought Ada with me. She is interested in viewing Mr. Grovedale’s latest specimens.”

Ivy smiled at Ada. “They haven’t arrived yet, but I’m sure Ian would be delighted to show you around his most prized possessions.”

She rang the bell. “I’ll order some tea and ask someone to fetch him. I’m surprised he isn’t here yet. I told him you were coming.”

As Ian Grovedale had avoided her since the night of the botched proposal, Alice wasn’t surprised at all. She took a seat by the fire and gestured for Ada to join her as Ivy talked to her butler.

Ada nudged her in the ribs. “Is Mrs. Grovedale pregnant?”

“Yes.”

Ada nodded. “Sarah told me.”

Alice devoutly wished that Miss Lambton would stop her constant and indiscreet gossiping.

“She doesn’t look very happy,” Ada observed.

“She has just completed a long and arduous journey from South America whilst going through the first months of her pregnancy.”

Ada snorted. “My mam was working full time at the mill up until the day I was born.”

The door opened and the butler came in with the tea tray, followed by the unmistakable figure of Ian Grovedale. Alice remained seated, a polite smile fixed to her face as he approached and bowed.

“Mrs. Hepworth, Miss Hepworth. What a very pleasant surprise.”

He looked tanned, but there were new, harder lines on his face, and his smile seemed forced.

“Mr. Grovedale. How lovely to see you again,” Alice replied. “Have you been formally introduced my stepdaughter, Ada? She is very interested in seeing your plant collection.”

“Indeed?” The smile he offered Ada was far more natural. “I am always happy to meet a fellow plant enthusiast.”

Ivy called out to him. “Let the poor girl have some tea before you drag her off to your lair, Ian.”

“Of course, my dear.” He walked over to his wife. “May I help you with the cups?”

“Thank you.” Ivy smiled. “I must say that it is a pleasure to see you myself, as you have avoided my company all day.”

Alice looked up at the slight bite in Ivy’s words.

“I seem to remember you telling me to leave you alone this morning, my dear,” Ian replied. “In no uncertain terms.”

Ivy chuckled. “That was because it is highly undignified to wake up and immediately feel nauseated enough to need a chamber pot. No man needs to see that.”

Alice accepted her tea from Ian and set it beside her.

“I am, however,” Ivy continued, “completely recovered now, and already looking forward to the nap I will take after the dressmaker has visited.” She patted her rounded stomach.

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