An Inadvisable Wager (The Curse of the Weatherby Ball Book 2) Eliza Lloyd (reading books for 7 year olds .TXT) 📖

“Dear heart, we’ll be fine,” Gigi said.

Carlow watched the elderly couple, full of a lifetime’s worth of pride, made worse by the doubts of growing old. Lady Fortenay lightly patted her husband’s knee. “We’ll be fine.” She looked on, shoulders back, but a little rheumy-eyed.

Carlow felt the weight of their worry. Being alone, an unknown future before them.

Nora had insisted on being the one to discuss the matter with them, but emotion welled in her throat. Carlow glanced toward her but he sat quietly. It had taken three days before they found a couple from Charminster who had agreed to their employment offer. They had certain skills, and Nora was thrilled that Mrs. Brady was also somewhat educated and could both read and write. Hester Burney would need a good conversationalist, someone to read with her in the evening, now that her eyesight had diminished, and a general companion. The role Nora had filled, Carlow knew.

“You took us in when no one else wanted us. When we were a burden and needed not only care but love, too. And you gave it freely. We have nothing to give back—”

“Nonsense! We were the one’s blessed. You owe us nothing.”

“Then you will accept this offer of help as a gift.”

“Grandy. Gigi,” Timothy said, interrupting his sister. “We love you. Nora’s married now. She’s going to go off and start a new life with Carlow. I want to marry. I need my own home for a wife and whatever children we have. And you need companions.”

“We have each other,” Lady Fortenay said.

Gabriel could get involved, but he wasn’t sure what he could add that would convince them it was the right decision.

“Timothy, maybe they are right,” Nora conceded, though Carlow knew the argument was far from over. “William and Percy will surely have a better idea what to do for their parents than we ever could. I know how much Susannah wants to refurbish the manor. And design a new, larger rose garden,” Nora said, head down and picking at something on her skirt. “I will surely miss the Souvenir de la Malmaison roses, but perhaps a strong red rose would be better suited to that side of the house.”

It was cleverly cruel, in the way families knew what family members need and want. It was also effective. Lord Fortenay was right about secrets not being so secret.

“William and Percy are much too busy to be bothered with the doings at Whitmarsh, or so they claim. And I will die before Susannah touches my rose garden.” Lady Fortenay folded her arms beneath her breasts and lifted her nose in derision at such a thought.

“I don’t know. I’ve always thought they would be happy when Timothy and I moved on. There would be no more reason to stay away. No more reason to demand an accounting of your hard-earned income from the estate or the cost to care for two orphans.”

“That is none of their business. And they are provided more than their fair share, even though they don’t need a single shilling.”

They glanced at each other, reconsidering without the need to speak. “Tell us about this couple.” Lady Fortenay still sat up, back straight, determined that any decision was theirs alone even though Nora had backed them into a realistically uncomfortable corner.

“Well,” Nora said, and proceeded to disclose everything she knew about Mr. and Mr. Brady. Timothy was growing bored with the conversation and started pacing behind Gabriel and Nora.

After fifteen minutes, Nora had answered all their questions and Lord and Lady Fortenay agreed. “And, of course, I want you to meet them before we take any final decision. Gigi, it is for the best,” Nora said.

“You are a wonderful girl. I couldn’t have asked for better,” she said to Nora. “When your father sent you to us, I was worried we were too old for a second family. But you and Timothy have kept us young. Now, suddenly, we are old again without you.”

“You mean Mother,” Nora corrected. She glanced toward Gabriel and then Timothy. “You mean Mother,” she said again.

Gabriel took notice of the quick glances Hester and James Burney shared. They did a lot of that; having spoken together for a good fifty years, words were often unnecessary.

“Yes, dear heart, I meant your mother. Well, is everyone ready for tea?”

“No, thank you, Gigi,” Timothy said.

“I know you want to go fishing with Dill,” Gigi said.

“Tomorrow. First, I must finish a letter to Cecily—Miss Sheldrick. You’ll pardon me?”

Nora sat tense, a smile on her face while Lord Fortenay went to his desk. Gabriel took her hand and whispered, “You were masterful, Nora.”

“Hmm. Was I?”

“What is it?” he asked. Instead of a look of triumph, her expression appeared quite disturbed, a frown creasing her mouth and lines drawn on her forehead.

“Nothing, probably. Something just seemed wrong. Lady Fortenay has never said it just like that. I’m just being overly sensitive to anything about Father and Mother with all the talk of Henbury Hall. I think.”

Lady Fortenay also stood and walked toward the windows, tugging at her simple cross necklace. The tea and sweets arrived, bringing everyone together again. Nora had withdrawn, even as she sipped at her tea. Lady Fortenay was nervous and chatty.

Gabriel wasn’t sure what he was watching, so he waded into the depths. “Lady Fortenay, I heard an interesting tale while in South Weald.”

“About?”

“Henbury Hall and how it was acquired.”

Lady Fortenay poured more tea for her and James. “Oh, you must mean the night of gambling at Carlton House. Harold was my first cousin, you know. It was the only thing we talked about for six months. And that was after the year of excitement when he first received the earldom. He had many moments that defied the Blasington’s humble origins. I can hardly speak