The baby moved to Jessica’s arms and he cuddled up to her, making all sorts of happy sounds. “Don’t worry little Liam,” she promised. “I’ll love you even if Aunt Fanny won’t.”
Fanny stood and moved to look out the window. They’d all suddenly become Aunts to the Hawthorne brood since the death. While she didn’t mind the term of affection, it did make her feel old. “I can love him from a distance, too.”
Jeremy had left yesterday. A bitter parting that made her uneasy today. She should be happy to be spared further argument over his place in her life. Clearly, he’d thought something else had happened between them than just sex.
It was for the best that he was gone. Now she could turn her attention to assessing the investment opportunity Lord Thwaite had been trying to interest her in. She was inclined to say no to him out of spite because of his attempted blackmail. But there were other investors involved and there was the rumor he couldn’t now afford it. The project deserved a fair and unbiased final assessment before she turned her attention to her next project.
Unfortunately, she felt no keen desire for anything right now.
She turned to observe her sisters. They were happy, even though they all wore the black of mourning for their friend and neighbor. Ever since Father’s wedding last year, the mood of the family had changed subtly. Where before they had all been unlucky in love, now one by one, her siblings were making happy matches, and babies as well. No wonder people remarked that she should be next. Fanny returned to her chair. “When will you go back to your husbands?”
“Today,” Jessica promised. “I was on my way home now but wanted to see if you were still here.”
“I’ve no plans to leave,” Fanny promised. Besides, Jeremy would arrive in London most likely tomorrow, and she wanted to give him time to cool his temper before she saw him again.
If they met again.
She bit her lip. She has spent last night tossing and turning. There was a chance she might never see Jeremy if he didn’t want to see her.
“You never do tell anyone,” Jessica complained. “You’re just suddenly gone.”
Rebecca sighed. “Jessica, not now!”
“Now is the perfect time. We both think she’s become as restless as Samuel. Always on the hunt for the next adventure, the next investment, that will make her richer but not happier.”
“That is enough, sister,” Rebecca warned, eyes flashing disapproval for Jessica’s rebuke, but she didn’t disagree. “Don’t pick a fight with her today.”
“If she’ll be here tomorrow, I’ll risk going home to my husband. No doubt he’s eager for my company.” Jessica handed the boy to Rebecca with a parting kiss. “Will you be here tomorrow when I come to call, Fanny?”
“I will be,” she promised, still astonished by Jessica’s outburst.
Jessica kissed Fanny’s cheek perfunctorily before flouncing out the door.
Fanny stared after her. “What has gotten into her?”
“Marriage,” Rebecca murmured. “She’s not our quiet little mouse anymore.”
“So I see.”
“Also, she misses you. She misses all of us when we’re away. Don’t you remember how strange it was to leave home and suddenly be separated from the familiar? I think it might be worse for her, since her new home is so close by. We call upon Father first and must make the effort to call on her second. Milo took three days to make the stroll over, and Samuel still hasn’t gone.”
Fanny sighed heavily. “Marriage always separates siblings, especially sisters. Surely she understands there’s been no intentional slight meant toward her.”
“She always had Father’s ear and knew everything before we did for many years. She’s lost that special place.”
Fanny brushed her fingertip over her lips, thinking of the past. “I recall I was terribly lonely when I married and moved away.”
“I was too,” Rebecca agreed. “I had to make new friends.”
Fanny moved to sit beside Rebecca. “Are you lonely again, now that you’ve married Rafferty?”
“No, I’m older, and Adam and I have many acquaintances in common. I have Ava to distract me, as well. Jessica will settle down when she has a child of her own to fuss over.”
“You’ll both have babes soon,” Fanny noted, feeling oddly left out. “At least the distance between you is not so great that she’ll have no one to turn to for advice when her time comes.”
“Perhaps it will be me turning to her for help. I’ve never been pregnant before.”
Fanny grinned. “You, taking advice?”