“I know. It is one of the reasons I wish she could live here sooner than years from now.”
There was no mistaking the laughter that entered Mater’s expression. “Onlyso she could spend time with us?”
“I saidoneof the reasons.”
“And the other is because Sarah has requested a sister?” Mater spoke as if perfectly serious.
He matched her tone. “For a doddering old lady, you are actually quite funny.”
“Oh, Scott. It is good to see you happy again. Gillian has been good for you.” She turned him around and gave his back a little shove. “Go be good for her. As I said, she is nervous.”
He didn’t need to be told twice. And the timing proved impeccable. Gillian was just then descending the stairs with Mrs. Brownlow at her side. Scott recognized Gillian’s gown as the lovely blue one she’d been wearing in Artemis’s sitting room the day he’d agreed to accompany her back to Houghton Manor.
He’d thought her quite beautiful then. She was even more gorgeous now. And clearly all but terrified.
Mater claimed Mrs. Brownlow’s company, and the two ladies slipped from the house. It was a short journey from the dower house to the main house, and they all meant to walk.
Scott offered Gillian his arm, and she readily accepted but immediately released a tense breath.
“You’ve met all the Jonquils,” Scott reminded her. “And not one of them ate you alive.”
She shook her head, amusement beginning to replace the worry in her expression. “What about your sister?”
“She has not engaged in cannibalism since we were children.”
They began their walk along the well-maintained lane that led to their destination. It was a chilly night but a dry one, which made this slow meander possible.
“I met your sister in London but with nothing more than a quickly exchanged few words. We didn’t talk at all. And now . . .” Gillian took a somewhat shaky breath. “I know how importantshe is to you. I don’t know what I would do if she decides she doesn’t like me or disapproves of our hoped-for future.” Gillian had been given far too many reasons over the past years to expect people to reject her. She now seemed to anticipate it.
“I know Sarah,” Scott said. “And I know you. And I can tell you without the least doubt, Gillian Phelps, that she will adore you. And she probably will overwhelm you a little. She tends to rush into anything and everything she’s excited about. And she isdecidedlyexcited about you being here.”
Gillian nodded and squared her shoulders as they walked on. She was, no doubt, still nervous, but she was clearly determined not to fall apart.
They soon arrived at Lampton Park, where a very proper butler ushered them to an impressive and grand drawing room in which all the guests and their hosts had gathered. Gillian’s grip on his arm tightened, but none of her uncertainty showed in her expression. Artemis had done an excellent job teaching her Huntresses to survive social situations. Soon enough, Gillian would realize this was not a gathering she needed to be afraid of.
Mater and Mrs. Brownlow had arrived alongside them, and while Mrs. Brownlow handed her wrap to a waiting maid, Mater took Gillian’s hand.
“Did Scott convince you that you have nothing to fear here tonight?” Mater asked.
“He tried valiantly,” Gillian said.
“Let me add my voice to his. The entire family is so pleased that you are here.”
More of the tension in Gillian’s posture eased. Mater was working her usual magic. Gillian didn’t realize it yet, but this lady, who had saved so many lonely and struggling people over the years by pulling them into her family circle, had already begun to do the same for her.
Scott introduced Mrs. Brownlow and Gillian to Philip and his wife, Sorrel; Layton and his wife, Marion; and Harold. Then he turned to Sarah.
For just a moment, he couldn’t proceed. Because Sarah looked on the verge of tears. He knew her well enough to know these were tears of gladness, that Sarah was happy for him and was happy for herself to finally be meeting the lady they all hoped would someday be a sister to her. Seeing such happiness after all the sorrow the two of them had known brought his own emotions a bit closer to the surface.
Swallowing down the lump in his throat, he said, “Miss Phelps, my sister, Sarah Jonquil, whom you’ve briefly met before. Sarah, Miss Gillian Phelps.”
Voice breaking, Sarah said, “I am so, so pleased that you are here.”
Gillian’s smile was soft and small. The curtsies the two of them began were almost immediately abandoned. Sarah threw her arms around Gillian, who hugged her in return. It was a moment even better than Scott could have imagined.
He would write to his mother and tell her about this evening. She wouldn’t write back, but he believed she would be happy for him. Perhaps someday, she would visit Collingham and spend some time with Sarah and Scott and their families.
But at that moment, Mater, the mother who had offered him peace and connection when he’d needed it most, was there, watching over him, loving him and Gillian, inviting them into her family.