Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch

Author:Suzanne Enoch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

* * *

Once she’d dressed, Emmie went downstairs to the breakfast room. She set George’s practice pages aside and selected a light breakfast of toast, egg, and tea. Will’s place at the head of the table had been cleared and the newspaper was missing, so presumably he’d already eaten and made himself scarce.

Emmie paused, slice of toast halfway to her mouth. Before this latest calamity, this had been how the majority of their breakfasts had proceeded—him, eating and leaving the table before she arrived, and the remainder of the day spent separately. The fact that that … avoidance now seemed like a slight was something of a revelation.

“Did Mr. Pershing say where he was headed this morning?” she asked into the air.

“Into Birdlip, I believe, ma’am,” Powell answered. “He said he had something to see to, but that he wouldn’t be long.”

He’d best not miss the dancing, or Rose would never forgive him. Later, she meant to attempt to give George an overview of drawing. He would never be an expert, and it was frivolous by Will’s standards, yet there she was, permitting fun. Ha.

“Very good,” she said, even though it wasn’t. “Have you had time to shift the furniture in the east room?”

“Donald and Edward are seeing to it now.” The butler cleared his throat. “Some of the staff have requested to watch the dancing lessons, if their duties permit. If that is acceptable to you, ma’am.”

Yesterday’s riding lessons had also been well attended. Emmie didn’t know what the fascination was, but she couldn’t deny that these were unusual happenings for Winnover Hall—where most activities proceeded like clockwork. “I have no objection,” she stated, “as long as the staff is aware that they may be called upon to help keep time. Dancing without music can be difficult, especially for beginners.”

“I’ll see to it that they are aware. Thank you, Mrs. Pershing.”

“No thanks are necessary. I appreciate all that you and the rest of the staff have done to welcome the children. I know quite well what a surprise it was to all of you.”

“They’re lively, for certain,” the butler commented, drawing himself up straighter.

She chuckled. “That they are.”

“In fact, ma’am, if I may, the sil—”

“When do we dance?” Rose asked, swirling into the room.

She’d donned the dressiest of her gowns, a deep pink confection with a purple sash and a light network of pearl beads on the bodice. The gown had been intended for the evening of her grandfather’s birthday, when everyone would be expected to dress for a formal dinner after a day of presents and celebration. Seeing Rose in it now made Emmie cringe, not because she didn’t look darling, but because the odds of the five-year-old spilling orange juice or marmalade all over it were very high indeed.

“Rose, perhaps you should wear a simpler gown for practicing,” she said, trying not to flinch as the little girl pirouetted past the teapot on her way to the sideboard.

“That’s what Sally said, but I thought it was important that I learn in my dancing gown.

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