“You can still call me Aunt Annabelle. I’ve known you since you were crawling.”
“But you’re a marchioness now.”
“That doesn’t mean we have to stand on ceremony all the time.” Lady Derbyshire approached her and held out her arms. “Come here. Let me look at you.”
Dorothy smiled and walked over, embracing the woman she had seen as family since she was a little girl. Then she stepped back, and the new marchioness looked her up and down.
“You look just as beautiful as ever. If not better.” She tapped Dorothy’s nose with her finger. “Far better than last Season. There’s a sparkle in you now.”
“I don’t know about that.” Dorothy shrugged. “But last Season was a pain if you recall.”
“I can imagine. I’m glad I’m at an age where arranged matches don’t happen for me anymore. Not that I need it anymore.” Lady Derbyshire put an arm around Dorothy, beckoning Frederica over. “Come along, you two. I’ll show you to your rooms. Everyone else is arriving tomorrow, so you’ve got plenty of time to explore and make yourselves at home before the rest of the guests invade the house.”
“Invade?” Frederica giggled. “You make it sound like a chore when you’re the one who wanted the house party.”
“I know. I do it because it’s only to be expected that the new marquess and marchioness host once they’re married. The others are dear friends, but it’s a little too much for me. You two?” Lady Derbyshire squeezed their shoulders. “I would happily have you two living with me if I were allowed. You two have an open invitation to visit whenever you want.”
“Is your husband alright with that?” Dorothy asked.
“He will be once I talk to him. Let’s go inside. We’re going to have tea now. Then I’ll show you where you’ll be staying this week.” The older woman looked really happy. “I’m so glad you two could come.”
Dorothy was glad they could come as well.
#
“Oh, I love the view!” Dorothy ran to the window and looked out. “This is just exquisite!”
The garden really did slope down. A vast display of flowers edging the enormous lawn stretched out below towards a water feature Dorothy didn’t think was possible on a hill. She didn’t know where the boundary of the garden ended and the rest of the countryside began. And the valley below was simply stunning.
It looked like a painting.
“I thought you would like it.” Lady Derbyshire laughed. “Frederica said you would appreciate the view more than the bedchamber.”
Dorothy giggled and turned back to the older woman.
“Thank you so much for inviting me. I’m so glad you asked me along.”
“Of course, I would. I adore both you and Frederica. You two are practically joined at the hip, anyway. I can’t have one without the other.” Lady Derbyshire gestured towards the clock on the mantel. “Dinner will be at eight. You can do what you want until then. Will that be alright for you?”
“That’s alright.”
“Then I’ll see you later. I’m sure my niece will be here shortly.”
The marchioness left, and Dorothy turned back to the window. She undid the latch and opened it, leaning out and breathing the fresh air. The smell of the farm they had passed a short while ago wasn’t there anymore. The air smelled crisp and clean. The breeze was beautifully cool, just what she needed after being in the stifling carriage all day.
At least they could explore before all the other guests arrived. Frederica would want to explore every inch of the estate.
Dorothy was looking forward to that.
“You’re going to fall out if you lean any further forward.”
Dorothy looked over her shoulder. Frederica was coming into the room, smiling at Dorothy.
“I won’t.” Dorothy pulled back and slipped off the window seat, leaving the window open. “I just wanted to look closer at the marvellous view.”
“So, you tried to do it without squashing your face up against the glass?”
“Something like that.”