to take care of those two boys whenever Mary and Delbert Litton take it into their heads to go jaunting overseas! I swear, Mary is very like her father. I’m inclined to believe there is gypsy blood somewhere in the Grantley family. Nonetheless, she and Litton are well matched. But stay here you cannot."
"Why?"
"Because—Well, because you need a life of your own without being at the beck and call of our relations."
"That would be pleasant, Serena. But you forget I am virtually a charity case. I have a modest income for my needs, but it is certainly insufficient for maintaining an establishment, and I do not think I should like renting rooms."
Lady Serena shook her head adamantly, her dark, slightly gray-streaked curls bobbing back and forth. "Good heavens, no indeed. And besides, it is beneath you. The family would never stand for it. No, I have a better proposition. Come live with me."
"Live with you?"
"Yes. As certain as I am that Jane will be wed soon, so shall my dearest Millicent remarry. Then I shall be all alone. It is not a prospect I greet with equanimity, I can assure you. So, come live with me. We shall deal together very well, sisters as we are. And what could be more amenable in society’s eyes?"
"You make an interesting proposition. I should certainly give it some thought," Lady Elsbeth said, carefully controlling her expression.
"Please do, dear. Only think of the fun we should have together! I know I do."
"To be sure," her sister said dryly.
"There now, I’ve said my peace. You will give it some thought, won’t you?"
"Yes, I shall think on it."
Lady Serena sunk back into her chair. She sighed deeply and looked relieved—no, more than relieved. She looked satisfied. A bit like the cat at the cream pot. Lady Elsbeth wondered why it was important to Serena that she agree to live with her? If Serena intended to take her in as a charitable gesture—as she and Jane had assumed—she would not have hesitated to make some remark to that effect. She would have basked in her magnanimity. And she would have informed Elsbeth of the few trivial tasks she would expect her to perform. But Serena had implied that they were to be equals, though Elsbeth felt that her words did not ring true. Elsbeth could not begin to fathom her sister’s plan.
Lady Serena straightened and reached up to pat her curls. "Good. Now that that’s settled, what are we to do today? Needlework? A little visiting, perhaps? What have you and dear Jane planned?"
Lady Elsbeth suppressed a smile. She told Serena she would think on her proposal and already her sister was taking it as a fait accompli. She decided not to correct her. "We thought a picnic would be a pleasant diversion."
"A picnic!"
"Yes. Cook is preparing a cold collation. Mrs. Phibbs is providing suitable blankets for us to sit on. And as you heard Jane say, the little Grecian temple has been cleaned. We shall all go up there, take turns with the telescope, and enjoy our repast."
A sharp frown pulled at the corners of Lady Serena’s lips. "I hope you do not intend that we should walk there!"
"Why not? We often do."
"Then that explains your shamefully brown complexions. No, no, no. That will never do. We will take a carriage up. At least the Folly is covered, that should shield us from the worst of the sun. Really, Elsbeth, I cannot countenance a walk of that length, and you shouldn’t either. It causes unladylike muscles to develop. Nothing can be more harmful to a lady’s success with a gentleman than to display an inordinate amount of muscle. A woman must stay soft and—and—"
"And weak," offered Elsbeth.
"Exactly."
"I do not see how a little walking can increase muscles to the extent you fear. Nonetheless, if you prefer to ride, we can certainly make arrangements in that manner."
Her sister nodded. "And I insist you ride with us. You will see how pleasant it is to relax in that way. "
"I shall reserve judgment. "
"I do not understand how you can be so cool," Lady Serena said petulantly.
"I know," Elsbeth said, "and that’s why I wonder if we should deal well together."
Her sister blinked, a look of panic crossing her smooth, slightly plump features. "Oh, but it is natural for people to not agree on everything. I should think we would still get along famously. Ah, I hear voices coming. I think we are finally to have some company."
Mr.