Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day

Author:Sylvia Day
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Hester drank her tea slowly, making a valiant attempt to keep something in her stomach. Though she was ravenous in the evenings, the afternoons

found her stil suffering from nausea. “I suggest swapping the ribbons, Your Grace,” she said to the Countess of Pennington. “Try the brown with the

blue, and the green with the peach.”

Elspeth looked over her shoulder to where Hester sat on a settee in the countess’s boudoir. “Truly?”

The countess returned her attention to the material and ribbons laid out across her bed. She gestured for the modiste to do as advised, then

nodded. “You’re right.”

Hester smiled. While she’d been slightly confused when Elspeth first began making persistent, yet friendly, overtures, she’d come to realize that the

countess looked upon her in the capacity of a daughter. It was a role Jessica had fil ed, and Hester found herself enjoying the maternal

companionship. She understood that Elspeth’s need was temporary, part of her re-acclimation to Society after years spent in the country. Hester

envied her that idyl ic life on the stunning Pennington estate.

“You should try the lemon scones,” Elspeth urged. “I vow you’ve never tasted the like. They melt in your mouth.”

“Thank you. I should like to. Another time, perhaps.”

The countess shook her head and came to her, settling on the settee opposite the one Hester occupied. “Have you tried ginger tea or broth, or

both? Either wil help to settle your stomach. And be moderate with greasy foods in the evening. Salted water crackers also help.”

There was a pause, and then Hester said softly, “Is it so obvious?”

“Only to an observant woman who has spent nearly every day of this last week with you.”

“Please, I must beg for your discretion.”

Elspeth’s dark eyes brightened at the hint of a secret. “You and Regmont are keeping the news to yourselves? Delightful.”

Hester hesitated, reluctant to share a confidence she’d held so close to her breast. “Regmont doesn’t yet know.”

“Oh . . . ? Whyever not?”

“I feel very unwel . I cannot help fearing that something is wrong. Regmont wouldn’t—He isn’t—” Hester set her cup and saucer down on the low

table between them. “It would be better to wait and be certain that al is progressing as it should be.”

“My dear.” The countess reached for the tongs and moved a scone from the serving tray to a smal plate. “You are squandering one of the few

opportunities in a woman’s life when she can ask anything of her husband and receive it.”

“Regmont gives me too much as it is.” But not the one thing she most wished for—his peace of mind. “I also wanted to spare Jessica for a while

longer.”

“She would be overjoyed on your behalf.”

“Yes.” Hester smoothed her skirts. “But she might grieve for herself, and she has enough to feel sorrowful about at the moment.”

“She wil hurt more if you don’t tel her.”

“I wrote her shortly after she left. I think this is best. She won’t feel the need to put a brave face on if I’m not there when she learns the news.

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