Second Chance Dance: An Enemies to Lovers Historical Romance by Hatcher Laney

Author:Hatcher, Laney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

Dinner was a boisterous affair.

Rather than retiring to our rooms upon arrival, we’d gathered in the drawing room for light refreshment before I’d taken Miles on a tour of the house. We’d meandered for a long while with me pointing out Emery’s artwork and some of my favorite memories and stories associated with my former home.

Now, my brother, Silas, was dominating the conversation, entertaining our mother with his theatrics. Father was listening politely as Emery attempted to interject and correct something Silas had said. Daly was conversing with Augustus, who was looking on the scene in quiet amusement, as was his way. Lord and Lady Thisby seemed charmed by Miles who was seated beside them. Mary and I observed from across the table where we sipped our wine between courses.

“Basilton is quite the dinner companion,” Mary murmured for my ears alone.

“I think he was relieved to be seated next to your parents rather than mine,” I said before Mary cut me a quizzical glance. “It seems he’s a bit nervous,” I explained.

“That’s rather adorable,” my friend replied with a surprised smile.

We turned our attention back to the conversation taking place before us.

Sometime later, during the fish course, Silas asked curiously, “Where is Genevieve?”

I had assumed she didn’t want to eat dinner with the stuffy adults and preferred to dine with Julian in the informal dining room. My little sister was quite close with the housekeeper’s son. They were near in age, both having just turned sixteen in November. Julian had practically been raised here and had been educated alongside Genevieve. They had always been two peas in a mischievous little pod.

Some disquiet was moving down the dining table at Silas’s abrupt question. My mother appeared uncomfortable and Emery looked morose.

“What is it?” I said, sudden concern bleeding through my tone.

Mama seemed surprised that I was the one inquiring, and her blue eyes—so much like my own—widened. “It seems Mrs. Moore secured an apprenticeship for young Julian with her brother at a farm in Leicester. He departed a fortnight ago. Genevieve is…” My mother paused before casting a cautious glance at the Thisbys. “Still adjusting, I’m afraid.”

Oh, no. Poor Gen. I could not begin to imagine how difficult this separation would be for her. She and Julian had been devoted friends their whole lives, and Emery had confided in me our sister’s wish to someday marry the housekeeper’s son. Their relationship had been quite innocent, and Genevieve’s feelings had been a secret to everyone save Emery. She must be devastated.

Gen and I were not close, not really. And that was my fault for being an absent older sister. But I loved her and wanted her to be happy. Perhaps she’d like to come stay with me in London to help take her mind off Julian. She’d be out in society in the next year or two, and she’d seemed to enjoy herself upon her last visit to Cawthorn Hall when she’d accompanied Mama and Emery last spring. I would speak to Emery and see if she thought it was a good idea.

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