“They are. This is very pretty. You did a wonderful job.”
“I thought you might’ve changed.” Addie’s bottom lip trembled. “Or forgotten me.”
I brushed her soft cheek with my thumb. “I could never forget you.”
“What about me? Did you forget me?” Delphia, her little body tense as if waiting for a fight, watched me with narrowed eyes.
“Hmm…what’s your name again? You look vaguely familiar.”
Delphia stomped her boot. “You’re lying. You remember me.”
I laughed and picked her up and swirled her in a circle. “Don’t be a goose. Of course I remember my baby sister.”
She laughed and hugged my neck with all the strength in her thin arms. “I knew it.”
I set her down. “In fact, I want you to tell me everything about everything.”
“All right. But not now. Mama said I’m not to dominate the conversation at lunch.”
“Maybe later you, Addie, and I can go out to the meadow and pick some flowers for the table and we can talk all about everything then.”
Delphia grinned and lifted her chin defiantly. “Yes. But I’ll do most of the talking. That’s how it is with Addie and me.”
“I remember,” I said, winking at Addie.
“Let’s get you home and settled,” Mama said. “Lizzie’s prepared a feast for lunch.”
“Fried chicken.” Delphia took my hand. “And strawberry ice cream for dessert.”
My mouth watered. “I can’t wait.”
Just like that, I was back in the thick of the Barnes family.
When we arrived, Jasper greeted us at the door as he always had. He and his wife, Lizzie, who ran our kitchen, had come with Papa from England years and years before. When Papa had decided to give up his lord title as firstborn son and come to America, Jasper had insisted on accompanying him.
“Theo, welcome home,” Jasper said. His British accent was as strong as it had ever been. I could not decide if he clung to his English ways out of spite or habit. “We have you in the guest room upstairs.”
“Fiona and Cymbeline share your old room now,” Mama said.
I followed Jasper upstairs to clean up and get unpacked. “Your mother had some new suits made for you.” Jasper went to the wardrobe and opened both the doors. “Nonetheless, there should be sufficient room for whatever’s in your luggage.”
Several new suit jackets and trousers were hung in a row along with crisp shirts.
“They’re made of fine material. Mr. Olofsson used his best.” Jasper nodded with obvious approval. “I made sure.”
“Thank you.” I turned away from the wardrobe to get a better look at him. He was as formal and tidy as always in his black suit with its vest and tie. “How’s Lizzie?”
“She’s well and would like to see you as soon as you’re able.”
“And Florence?” Their daughter was around the same age as Addie with a cheerful, outgoing personality like her mother.
At the sound of his daughter’s name, a slight smile lifted the corners of Jasper’s mouth, but only for an instant. “Florence is a little too American for my taste, but she’s a fine girl.” He returned to the business at hand, never one to deviate too far from his duties. “The water closet is ready for you if you’d like to freshen up.” He gestured toward the adjoining bathroom. “Dinner is at seven. They no longer dress for it in the summer, as they eat outside on the porch.” He imitated an American accent with the word porch. “Which has a screen around the perimeter.” He sniffed. I wasn’t sure why a screen was particularly offensive, but I didn’t ask.
“Your brother-in-law built this back porch specifically for outdoor eating,” Jasper said. “Lord Barnes is quite taken with the idea and insists that everyone remain in their day clothes.”
I nodded, fighting the urge to laugh. “He’s gone rogue on us, Jasper.”
“Yes, but what can you expect?”