That simple touch, even through her fine evening gloves, created a tension within her that had immediately reminded her of yesterday’s embrace. She knew he was thinking about it too when their eyes met and his lowered instantly to the gentle curve of her lips. There was a knowing look hidden in the depths of his steady gaze that created a shimmering awareness within her that she struggled to hide.
‘Ah, you are here,’ Alicia cried, unwittingly breaking the invisible spell between her son and their guest.
Morgan sighed heavily but was smiling when he turned to hand Norma down. ‘I am delighted that you are able to join us.’
Alicia waved them toward the house. ‘You must excuse Mariette. She cannot be with us this evening, I am afraid. She has invited a sea of her friends and is entertaining them at the Dowager House. I have no wish to spend my evening listening to their childish gossip and they are too old to have a chaperon, so thought I might join you if that is all right.’
‘That would be delightful,’ Norma beamed, falling into step beside Alicia, who tucked her gloved hand into the crook of Norma’s arm and led her into the sitting room.
Morgan fell into step beside Sissy and held his elbow out.
Sissy smiled at him and happily took it before she turned to gaze in awe at the opulence of the large hallway before her. ‘It is stunning,’ she whispered breathlessly.
Morgan barely even glanced at the highly polished oak flooring, the lavish cream and gold décor, or the elaborate furniture that adorned his entrance hall. He was too immersed in gazing at Sissy.
‘You look stunning,’ he murmured.
Sissy smiled but was spared having to answer him by their arrival in the sitting room.
‘I thought we would indulge in a glass of Ratafia,’ Alicia offered. She waved a hand at a dapperly dressed footman who immediately stepped forward to offer the guests the contents of a silver tray. Sissy accepted a goblet of Ratafia with a nod of thanks but stared down at it in dismay. She hated the stuff but was too polite to say so.
‘You are probably wondering why Morgan was so insistent that you dine with us,’ Alicia began.
Morgan mentally groaned. He glared at his mother, but she was too excited to break the news to even bother to glance at him. Mentally cursing, Morgan wished he hadn’t told her now. He wanted to be the one to tell Sissy the news, but it was too late. Alicia had beaten him to it.
‘We were delighted to accept your wonderful offer to dine here, whatever the reason,’ Norma replied sliding a wary look from Morgan to Alicia and back again.
Morgan coughed and glared pointedly at his mother when Alicia frowned at him.
‘We look forward to your company. Both of you.’ He slid a look at Sissy. ‘However, there was another reason for asking you here this evening. I understand from Alicia that Mr Lauder has decided to sell the house.’
‘It’s such a shame,’ Norma replied sadly.
‘We have found somewhere else,’ Sissy added.
Morgan stilled. ‘Oh?’
Norma and Sissy shared a look.
‘You are talking about Farmer Martin’s cottage, aren’t you?’ Morgan demanded. ‘That house hasn’t been lived in for nigh on ten years. I doubt it is even habitable anymore.’
‘But it is local, and the rent is affordable,’ Sissy countered.
Alicia, sensing the sudden tension in the room, settled back in her seat and wisely chose to remain silent.
‘Mr Lauder has sold his house,’ Morgan informed them abruptly.
/> ‘Already?’ Norma cried in dismay. ‘Who to? He hasn’t told us.’
‘You can hardly expect a property like that to remain unsold for long, Aunt Norma,’ Sissy said.
Alicia nodded. ‘The village is one of the most desirable in this region. Why, I understand from the agent that the particulars had barely been drawn up before he had been contacted by someone who offered the asking price for it. Just like that, it is sold.’
Sissy swallowed and stared solemnly down into her goblet.
‘Do you not wish to know who purchased it?’ Alicia asked gently.
‘I am sure that they will be very happy there,’ Norma began politely, doing her best not to look upset. ‘Tell me, are they local?’