Chapter Eleven

Marcelin looked out the open door of the house, amused at the sight of Lina pacing on the upper step as she stared at the open gateway at the end of the path.

“I wish they’d hurry,” Lina said with a huff. “There won’t be any day left at this rate.”

“Don’t be so impatient, my dear,” said Marcelin.

Lina glanced at her. “I can’t help it. It’s been so long since Fay and Lise have come here. If it wasn’t for Grandmother…” Peering past Marcelin into the darkened interior, she quickly stuck out her tongue.

“Lina.”

She shrugged, not an ounce of contrition in her demeanour.

“It’s only mid-morning,” said Eliot from the courtyard as he adjusted the girth on Fordel’s saddle. “They’ll be here soon enough.” The horse snorted and stepped forward. “Stop fidgeting, it’s not that tight.”

“But breakfast was long enough ago. By the time they arrive, half–Oh. There they are.” Bouncing on her toes, she clapped her hands, face wreathed in smiles as a carriage came into view and rolled through the open gateway followed by a rider on a chestnut horse.

As she went back in to retrieve her shawl, Marcelin shook her head at the speed with which her daughter’s mood changed. By the time she stepped out, the carriage had rattled to a stop by the steps.

“Lina!” Fay and Lise were already on their feet, ready to leap out.

“Girls.” Elisanna’s quietly spoken word froze them in place.

The footman opened the carriage door then stepped back for Eliot to help Elisanna out.

“Aunt Elisanna, it’s so good to see you here,” he said as he kissed her cheek. But before he could help the girls, they’d already tumbled out, skirts held high, revealing breeches.

They flung themselves at Lina, their girlish squeals mingling with her merry laughter.

Sighing loudly, Elisanna’s smile widened as she and Marcelin embraced.

Having dismounted, Renard waited his turn then greeted Marcelin.

Mothers and daughters waved as Eliot and Renard headed out for their ride and Eliot’s mission to Leighton’s.

“As it’s such a lovely day,” said Marcelin, “I thought we’d spend it outside.”

“Let’s go to the pond.” Lina held Fay’s hand on one side and Lise’s on the other, and they skipped off over the grass.

Linking arms, Marcelin and Elisanna followed.

“Is your dear mother at home?” said Elisanna with a cheeky smile.

“Why else would I suggest spending the day outside?”

Elisanna’s chuckle was drowned out by Fay’s shout of “Ducks.” Letting go of Lina’s hand, she sped ahead. In response, the ducks on the pond flapped their wings and skimmed across to the relative safety of the opposite end. Dropping to her knees on the grass, Fay leaned towards the water.

“Fay,” called Elisanna, “not so close.”

“Yes, Mama.” But she remained where she was.

“Lina will keep an eye on them,” said Marcelin, leading the way to the chairs which had been placed in the shade of the wide-branched tree, close enough to keep the girls in sight but far enough to allow the women to converse unheard.

“Come and sit,” said Lina to the twins, making herself comfortable on the large square of cloth that had already been laid out and decorated with a deck of cards and a medium-sized box. Lise kicked off her shoes and held up her skirt to sit cross-legged.

Joining them, Fay said, “What shall we do?”

“We have the whole day,” said Lina. “We can play cards, dip our feet in the pond, walk around the garden, whatever we wish.”

“Can we see Kizi?” said Lise, referring to Lina’s mare.

“Of course,” said Lina, reaching over to tap her on the nose. “And if you promise to be nice and still, you can sit on her–”

“Oh, yes please,” they both responded, eyes sparkling.

“I’ll ask one of the boys to lead her around the courtyard. But only if you agree to one thing.”

“Anything.”

“You let me braid your hair with ribbons,” she said, grinning deviously.

Their eager expressions slipped as they exchanged unimpressed looks. But clearly the promise to ride Kizi outweighed any perceived discomfort and, sighing dramatically, they agreed.

“I’ll do it after lunch. That way, you won’t have to suffer for too long.” She couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up at their reaction.

“Thank you, Lina.” The corners of Elisanna’s eyes wrinkled. “It will be a pleasure to see my daughters look like little girls. I saw that, Fay.” She looked pointedly at her daughter who’d stuck out her tongue.

Marcelin sat back, her heart warmed by the sight of her daughter, happy and carefree, as she smoothed out the blanket and laid out the cards. “I wish I could say we should do this more often, having you and the girls here. But Mother doesn’t–”

“She doesn’t make it easy; I know, my dear, and it is a shame. The girls love when Lina visits them at Granville, but they love coming here even more,” said Elisanna, undoing the ribbon that held her hat in place. “You should have seen them this morning. Up with the birds, ready to dash out of the house before I’d even finished breakfast.”

Marcelin couldn’t help laughing, remembering what having small children had been like. “And here is Perrin with tea to fortify you.”

Once he and the maid had laid the tea and dainties on the cloth-covered table between the chairs, he bowed once again and left, pausing to execute another small bow by the girls, assuring them he’d be bringing their cakes next.

“One would think them completely mannerless,” said Elisanna with a sigh as Marcelin poured the tea.

“Don’t fret, my dear. You should hear Lina sometimes, even Minette, especially when they’re together. But I’m sure they’ll all grow into perfectly mannered young ladies.” She paused and raised her brows. “One day.”

Elisanna laughed.

They sipped their tea, watching the girls play.

“Exciting times are ahead for Eliot if Hugo Lambert’s letter is anything to go by,” said Elisanna.

Marcelin nodded, repositioning her cup on the saucer. “I can’t thank Bertran enough for advising him on a good way forward. And I’m glad Eliot has decided to take his advice and meet with Hugo first.”

A sudden flurry of activity erupted around Lina as the girls scrabbled to put their shoes on. “We’re going to see Kizi,” said Lina, getting to her feet.

Watching them skip-walk away, Marcelin said, “Good. Now I can speak freely.” She quickly related Climence’s plan, not letting the range of emotions that flitted across Elisanna’s face distract her. Inexplicably relieved at having shared her burden, Marcelin sat back.

After a long silence, Elisanna finally said, “Has she gone mad? And you believe Garlon is involved?”

“When Eliot said it, it made complete sense to me. Especially as Mother had stayed at Garlon’s house in the city the other evening after they’d attended Deandra’s gathering. You’ll tell Bertran?”

“Of course. He’s due home this evening. If he’s not too tired, I’ll tell him tonight when the children are in bed. Or first thing tomorrow. He’ll probably arrange to have guards posted on the road to Aiqos and by Cloud Mountain. What does that boy look like?”

Marcelin described Jack then fell silent.

“What’s the matter?” asked Elisanna.

“Do you think it’ll be possible for Bertran to sort things in a way that won’t affect Mother? I know it’s foolish, but I don’t want anything untoward to happen to her.”

Elisanna shook her head. “She doesn’t deserve you, you know.” Perching on the edge of her seat, she poured more tea into their cups.

Marcelin smiled. “Uncle Leighton said the same thing the other day.”

“I’ll tell Bertran. Try not to worry. How is Lord Leighton?”

“He’s well, still spending all his time in his garden. Eliot has gone there today, to tell him of Mother’s plan.”

“Do you think he might be able to dissuade her?”

“I don’t know. I hope so.” After a momentary silence, Marcelin told her of Leighton’s advice to tell Eliot of his parentage.

“I agree. It’s past time, my dear, and best he hears it from you.”

“I know, I know. I do want to tell him, at the same time I dread it, wondering what his reaction might be. I was going to do it when Mother goes away for her yearly stay with those friends of hers in Floret. But, this year of all years, she’s decided against going because of this foolhardy plan of hers. I’d also prefer it if Lina isn’t here, which means I’ll have to wait until she visits Minette. I’ll simply have to seize the moment when it presents itself.”

Elisanna reached over and covered Marcelin’s hand with hers. “Try not to worry. Eliot may be angry to begin with, but he’ll come around, I don’t doubt that for a moment. And you’ll feel much better afterwards, I’m sure.”

Marcelin managed a smile even though her trepidation remained.

“Mama, Mama.”

Elisanna looked past Marcelin and frowned at her daughter, jumping up and down, and waving to get her attention.

“Come and see. Fay’s riding Kizi. Come.”

Marcelin laughed at Elisanna’s pained expression as both women got to their feet, grateful for the distraction afforded by her dear friend and lively children.