Adoration

‘I am sorry to throw your plans out,’ Sissy murmured before Alicia could enter the grocery shop.

‘You haven’t. I have cancelled the order with that grocer because I don’t want to do business with anybody who is likely to gossip about me, my friends, or anybody on our estate. We have a responsibility, not to just our workers but to our friends as well. I do hope that you can consider me a friend. We have known each other for many years now.’

Sissy nodded. ‘It is very gracious of you that you want to continue our connection seeing as my father is no longer around.’

‘Why would that influence my decision to be your friend? Your father knew my husband and they have both passed on but that doesn’t mean we should stop talking. If your father had sorted a will before he passed away I am sure he would have made provision for you somehow. But what happened cannot be changed now. We must all learn to live with it,’ Alicia replied.

Sissy jumped in surprise when the shop doorway was suddenly yanked open and a rotund gentleman, dapperly draped in a pristine apron, stepped outside, his round face wreathed in a delighted smile that made his moustache wobble.

‘Good morning, ma’am. How are you this fine day?’ he called, his voice a deep rumble.

‘Very well, thank you. I have a huge order for you, and it needs to be a regular one. But first, please see to Sissy.’

Sissy eyed the man warily. Startlingly, his demeanour didn’t alter when he looked at her. The man smiled again and bowed at her. ‘Now, miss. What might I get you today?’

Sissy dutifully gave him her order and preceded him into his shop.

A good hour later, Sissy and Alicia returned to the carriage.

‘Care to take a wander?’ Alicia offered with a nod to the bustling main street beside them. ‘I haven’t taken a look at the shops here in an age. We always ride through the village for some reason.’

‘I have only ever come this way when we have needed something the grocery in the village doesn’t have,’ Sissy replied. ‘It would be nice to see what shops are here.’

Together, the women ambled down the main street. Sissy was very much aware that people looked at them but in contrast to the village she called home, the locals in Conley Bridge gave them nothing more than a cursory look, a curtsey, or a bow. Everyone was polite. The atmosphere had none of the deep suspicion or watchfulness the village at home had.

‘See? Not everyone is going to condemn you,’ Alicia gushed.

‘If you are sure,’ Sissy murmured warily.

‘I am positive. Now, about Morgan. I should like it if you would come and take tea with me this afternoon,’ Alicia said companionably as she linked arms with Sissy. ‘I am due to leave for Scotland the day after tomorrow and would like to have a chat before I go. Morgan is going to stay at the estate because he has business matters to attend to so if things do get harsher, or there is a problem then you are to call upon him. He will help you seeing as he is the one who has caused all of the problems.’

‘Oh, but he hasn’t,’ Sissy countered, feeling protective of him.

Alicia smiled at Sissy’s ready defence of her son. ‘Well, he hasn’t been hiding, or ignorant of what has been going on. I do believe there have been a few problems with one of the tenant farmers who has taken a little too much to the drink. Needless to say, the farm has fallen into disrepair and Morgan has had to find a solution. Consequently, the occasions when he has planned to call upon you to see if you are all right have been thrown into turmoil. I am sure he will be delighted if you could make it.’

‘I should love to. I am sure Norma would be delighted as well,’ Sissy replied with a smile.

‘Good, that’s settled then. Now, let’s go and take a look in the haberdashery then I really must get back. I hate to say it, but I think there is trouble afoot at the Dowager House.’ Alicia’s voice faded when four rather resplendent gentleman turned into the main street and trotted past. They tipped their heads at Alicia, having clearly recognised her but Alicia appeared less than thrilled to see them, or the large Barouche which carried four young women along behind them.

‘Oh, dear.’

‘Mariette looks to be entertaining again,’ Sissy murmured.

‘Morgan is going to have a conniption when he sees them. We have told her not to invite anybody else to the house,’ Alicia whispered.

‘You go on. I am sure that you will be able to head them off if you leave now,’ Sissy urged.

‘What, and leave you at the side of the road like unwanted baggage? I shouldn’t say so. I asked you here and I am going to see you home,’ Alicia announced flatly as she eyed the travelling trunks perched precariously on the back of the Barouche.

‘It looks as if they are planning to stay for a while.’

‘I doubt Mariette has had the chance to warn them that plans have changed since she invited them,’ Alicia grumbled. ‘Come along then. If you don’t mind cutting the visit short today we will return. We can come back when I return from Scotland.’

Sissy was more than happy to agree, and soon found herself being returned home with a promise that Morgan’s carriage would fetch her later.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

‘Damn you, Mariette,’ Morgan hissed. ‘I told you.’