“It’s us! Let us in!”
Lily ran to door and threw it open. “Ally, Sophie!” She grabbed her cousins
in a hug.
“Lily, dear, you’re in your undergarments,” Sophie admonished.
“Rose and I were napping. We were tired and our bags hadn’t been brought up yet.”
“They’re right outside the door,” Alexandra said. “Sophie and I can get them for you.”
“Oh, don’t be silly, I’ll get them.”
“Lily, do not step one foot outside that door in your undergarments.” Rose sat up in bed. “Sophie and Ally can get our bags.”
“My God, what is in this one?” Alexandra asked, lugging in a huge leather case.
“Those are my art supplies.” Lily grabbed the bag. “Do be careful.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going to paint during your stay here,” Alexandra said. “There are going to be lawn parties, and rides, and fancy dinners, and balls.”
“You tell her, Ally,” Rose said. “She’s absolutely determined not to have any fun at all.”
“You have your fun, and I’ll have mine. This estate is breathtaking. I intend to brush every bit of it onto paint board and describe every last foot of it in my journal.”
“I think that sounds lovely, Lily,” Sophie said.
Lily looked at her small cousin with affection. Sophie had thick golden hair and large hazel eyes that could mesmerize a person. Her younger sister, Alexandra, had chestnut hair, golden eyes, and a flamboyant personality. Gentlemen would no doubt be queuing up for Ally’s favors this very evening.
Their mother was Lady Ashford’s older sister, Iris, the Countess of Longarry. Their father, an abusive Scottish earl, had died two years earlier, his lifetime of reckless spending leaving them penniless. The Ashfords had supported them since then and planned to bring the girls out for their first season with Lily and Rose.
“We have the chamber right next to yours,” Alexandra said. “And mother is way down the hall. Where are Uncle Crispin and Auntie Flora?”
“I have no idea,” Lily said. “Rose and I were so tired from the trip that we passed out as soon as we got here.”
“Hopefully they’re far away as well. Then we won’t have any problem sneaking around.” Alexandra winked.
“Now you’re talking.” Lily laughed. “I plan to do my share of sneaking around as well.”
“Really? Who do you have your eye on?” Alexandra plunked down on the bed next to Rose. “I saw some exciting prospects out on the terrace when we came in.”
“She has her eye on Vermeer,” Rose said.
“Which one is he?” Alexandra widened her eyes. “Please tell me he’s not that dashing tall one with the auburn hair.”
“Really, Ally, Vermeer is an artist,” Sophie said. “Didn’t you pay any attention to Miss O’Hara’s lessons?”
“You want to sneak out to look at a painting?” Alexandra burst out laughing. “You are mad, Lily.”
“I’m certainly not going to sneak out to be debauched by some randy lord.” Lily opened her valise and began to unfold her garments.
“I am.” Alexandra curled her cherry lips upward. “Perhaps two or three. Perhaps even the duke himself!”
“He’ll most likely be debauching everything in sight, knowing his reputation,” Lily said.
“You had better watch your own reputation, Ally dear,” Rose warned. “If anyone sees you get compromised, you’ll be ruined and no decent man will ever offer for you.”
“Then I won’t be seen.” Alexandra’s sandy eyes gleamed.