“Nevertheless, daughters are still expected to honor their fathers’ decrees … even in these ‘modern’ times.” He frowned at her.
“Honor their father’s decrees?” Her eyebrow went up.
“What I meant to say was honor their father’s wishes,” he snapped.
“And you wish for me a loveless marriage?”
“Gammon, you know better than to play that game with me, Babs! I wish that you would find a decent man who can make you happy. I think that man is Sir Charles … and my second choice is the count. Either one would offer for you if you gave them the slightest bit of encouragement.”
“Papa, I am so very fond of both of them. They are my good friends, but …”
“But you do not love them. Famous. You lead them on—”
She actually became so infuriated as to forget herself and wag a finger at her father. “OH! That is too bad of you. I do not do anything of the sort.”
Their housekeeper opened the kitchen door and from the recesses of the nether regions came hurrying out, her plaid wool wrapper clutched tightly around her full and sturdy frame. “Lord preserve us … Jed jest ran over here and is waiting in the kitchen, he is. He said to tell ye that Lady Jane’s coach intends to put up there after her coachman drops them off here, he was worrit about it as Master Jack didn’t know a thing about her coming.”
“Deuce take it, I forgot to tell him. Right then, tell the lad it’s fine … tell Jack to find a place for the coach and m’sister’s horses.
”
“Papa, what have you done?” Babs asked with some concern. “How could you, when we are at a wits end to keep above water, take on this additional expense for the season?”
“For you, child … I asked her to come for you …” he said quietly.
Babs sighed heavily and then clucked her tongue before she ran into his arms. “Oh Papa … I do love you, and although I know you hate that I have … written … that I have … well … but it is pulling in quite a bit of profit …”
“Hush …” he said with a warning eye.
At that moment the door knocker sounded resonantly, and father and daughter stood stock still eying one another. Maudly shook her head and went forward to open the door.
At the door stood Lady Jane’s postilion. He promptly and correctly stepped aside to allow his mistress and her charge to glide past him into the house’s central and dimly lit hall.
In an aside, Babs whispered to Maudly, “Do we have guestrooms ready, Maudly?”
Maudly made a face, displaying her obvious disapproval about anyone arriving at such an hour. However, chin well up, she answered, “Of course.”
Babs loved her warm-hearted and very opinioned aunt, but they were forever at odds. She had learned in her early years that her aunt was a study in contradictions and could never be easily ‘handled’.
Her aunt was already throwing orders about to her driver and her groom with the luggage. Maudly had vanished and returned at this juncture with a tray of biscuits and tea from the pot she had already put up in anticipation.
“Oh, Maudly.” Lady Jane smiled at her genuine warmth. “How very kind of you, and allow me to say how well and fit you look. You may take the tray up to the Yellow room, where I shall stay as always … so very kind.”
“Yes, mum.” Maudly made her a slight curtsy. “And Miss can have the room next to Lady Babs …”
“Lovely,” said Aunt Jane.
Maudly had one more thing to say: “As it happens yer rooms are ready … though I was not expecting you till tomorrow.” So saying she went towards the stairs, her body movements displaying her disapproval.
Babs witnessed this and had to stifle a giggle.
Lady Jane however did laugh and turned to her brother. “Well, here we are.”
“The devil,” his lordship said under his breath.
Lady Jane was already hugging Babs in her arms and then setting her apart to declare, “Heavens, Barbara … you are quite a beauty!” She then waved this away and said, “Meet your cousin, my late husband’s niece, Corrine Bretton.” Having made this introduction, she moved off to link her long, lanky arm through her brother’s.
Their conversation was lost on Babs, for she could see that her aunt’s niece was blushing a bright shade of red. Babs gave her a bright, welcoming smile and took her hand to lead her upstairs, saying, “Come on … a cup of tea and a biscuit will do you good—and me as well …”