so I could stare at her in awe. “Your memory, ma’am, is astonishing.”
Her lips curved, and she rustled the skirt of her dress like she was more pleased with that compliment than being told she looked beautiful—which she did. Even if she looked frail. “You can call me Lavinia,” she announced.
“I can?”
“Your grandmother and I were great friends.”
My knees almost dropped out from under me at that. Talk about good fortune!
“I can’t believe it,” I whispered earnestly. “I came here on the off chance that someone might remember my family.”
“You don’t often forget a scandal like that, but I’d never forget Allegria. She was my best friend from a little girl. Sorrowful I am to hear that she’s passed. I missed her every day she was gone—”
“Why didn’t you stay in touch?” I queried, because we were loyal too. It was bred into us to stick together, so that meant there was a reason, and I wanted to know what it was.
“She wouldn’t have it. Insisted on a fresh break for you.” She blew out a shaky breath. “I won’t lie, it hurt, but I understood. Still do. You were so young, too young to be dealing with that kind of burden.” Her lips pursed once more, and she grunted. “Times like these, I wish I was still allowed to smoke.”
“Why aren’t you allowed?” I asked, a little surprised by the wording.
“Not long left in the lungs,” she admitted gruffly, tapping her chest. “You’re lucky you came when you did. Might not be around much longer.” She narrowed her eyes. “Now, come and take a seat. You’re here for a reason.”
I didn’t know her, but the prospect of losing another connection to my past made me want to cry again.
Fuck, I hated being a baby, but sometimes, shit was just too damn much.
I’d been cut some slack by meeting with Lavinia and it being so easy to reconnect, but really? I wouldn’t be allowed to get friendly with her? To learn more about her and my nanny’s friendship?
Before bitterness could swirl inside me, Lavinia reached over to a stool and patted the seat. “Come now. You can take some tea with me.” She twisted a little in her seat, and called out, “Allegria! Come here a second.”
I blinked, then understood when a woman in her forties appeared. She looked a lot like Lavinia, only she was a lot more harassed. Her brow was furrowed, her cheeks pink, and she had sweat beading at her temples.
“What?” she grouched, lifting her arm to wipe her forehead on it. She wore yellow gloves that were covered in suds. The second her eyes connected with me, she sighed. “You didn’t tell me we had company coming over.”
“Didn’t know we’d be having any,” Lavinia admitted.
“I’ll bring tea.” Allegria turned on her heel and was back through the door before she even really bothered to greet me. The offer of tea, without even asking me if I wanted any, made me smile though, as did her name.
“You named her after my grandmother?”
Lavinia hitched a bony shoulder. “Told you, Leggy was my best friend.”
My eyes widened. “You called her Leggy?”
Lavinia grinned. “She called me Vinnie.” The words were half boasted. “Hers was true though. She had the best legs.” She let out a whistle. “Not that anyone was allowed to see them.” Lavinia rolled her eyes. “Funny how things seem so important at the time. Modesty and purity. Such nonsense. Just don’t tell Allegria that. She’s having trouble with my granddaughter at the moment.”
As I padded over and took the seat that I twisted around so I could be nearer to her, I questioned, “What kind of trouble?”
“She’s a little older than you and is refusing to get married.” Lavinia sighed. “Such a bossy girl, but that’s not a surprise considering Allegria spawned her. I gave her too much freedom when she was young. As for Chastity, she doesn’t want to live up to her name and wants to go off to college.” Lavinia wrinkled her nose. “I like the idea of it, but her pa wants her to get married. Trouble is, if we don’t adhere to the old ways, then we lose them for good.
“I understand the dilemma, but if I was born in this day and age, I wouldn’t want to stay stuck at home being a good wife either. I did that once, and that was one time too many.” She huffed. “Leggy was lucky. Your grandfather perished quickly, lived long enough to