continent while Lydia and Rosy discussed detail of guests and the housing and feeding of them and their servants and their cattle.
Content in some way that he was unfamiliar with, he engaged in conversation and let the peace of the moment roll over him. Later he would dissect the words and the currents around him. Now he merely wished to be a man in his home with his family and loved ones around him during a trying time. For these small things he was truly thankful.
Ammie glanced at Edwin as he answered Stephen's questions regarding a bill before the House of Lords. Edwin's gaze strayed to her repeatedly during dinner and she glanced surreptitiously around the table noting that Katherine had seen as well as Lydia. Lawrence appeared oblivious as he, Stephen and Edwin batted the political issue back and forth. When the last course was removed and the port came out for the gentlemen, Lydia rose and Katherine and Ammie followed her out to the hallway and into the informal parlor.
Tea was laid out before the fire and Lydia gracefully poured and passed the tea around before leaning back against the sofa cushions and sipping her tea. "I am interested in hearing how you came to know my family, Lady Amelia. I believe both my grandparents and my father have known you for many years, but I have seldom met you in town."
"My husband and I were rarely in town except for important votes in Parliament and of course for the wedding of Stephen and Katherine. When --, Belle's throat caught and she sipped her tea, giving her throat time to settle, "When he was taken from me, I remained a short while in town until his affairs were settled, then retired again to the country, to Duclose where I lived as a girl. It was as a girl that I met your father and grandfather when they rescued my family and the families of my cousins during wartime on the continent and brought us to stay with my grandmere, the Duchess of Maitlin. I owe your family loyalty for the loving care they bestowed on a family of French emigrees." And Belle hoped that the short version of her relationship with Lydia's family would suffice. Of course she reckoned without Katherine.
"But, Mother Kenswick, I remember letters you received regularly from the old Marquess. They certainly came a long time after your rescue although I cannot recall any visits from his Lordship."
"Yes, Katherine, his Lordship and I were regular and affectionate correspondents. You know my parents remained in France at the court while I stayed with my Grandmere. The old Marquess and Lady Annabelle, his wife, stood as parents to me and Lydia's father was as a brother. "Ladies, Ammie rose from her seat, "I pray you will excuse me while I retire for a few minutes." She nodded her head to each of them and made her way to staircase and up to the first landing just as the gentlemen moved into the great hall talking and laughing.
Content in some way that he was unfamiliar with, he engaged in conversation and let the peace of the moment roll over him. Later he would dissect the words and the currents around him. Now he merely wished to be a man in his home with his family and loved ones around him during a trying time. For these small things he was truly thankful.
Ammie glanced at Edwin as he answered Stephen's questions regarding a bill before the House of Lords. Edwin's gaze strayed to her repeatedly during dinner and she glanced surreptitiously around the table noting that Katherine had seen as well as Lydia. Lawrence appeared oblivious as he, Stephen and Edwin batted the political issue back and forth. When the last course was removed and the port came out for the gentlemen, Lydia rose and Katherine and Ammie followed her out to the hallway and into the informal parlor.
Tea was laid out before the fire and Lydia gracefully poured and passed the tea around before leaning back against the sofa cushions and sipping her tea. "I am interested in hearing how you came to know my family, Lady Amelia. I believe both my grandparents and my father have known you for many years, but I have seldom met you in town."
"My husband and I were rarely in town except for important votes in Parliament and of course for the wedding of Stephen and Katherine. When --, Belle's throat caught and she sipped her tea, giving her throat time to settle, "When he was taken from me, I remained a short while in town until his affairs were settled, then retired again to the country, to Duclose where I lived as a girl. It was as a girl that I met your father and grandfather when they rescued my family and the families of my cousins during wartime on the continent and brought us to stay with my grandmere, the Duchess of Maitlin. I owe your family loyalty for the loving care they bestowed on a family of French emigrees." And Belle hoped that the short version of her relationship with Lydia's family would suffice. Of course she reckoned without Katherine.
"But, Mother Kenswick, I remember letters you received regularly from the old Marquess. They certainly came a long time after your rescue although I cannot recall any visits from his Lordship."
"Yes, Katherine, his Lordship and I were regular and affectionate correspondents. You know my parents remained in France at the court while I stayed with my Grandmere. The old Marquess and Lady Annabelle, his wife, stood as parents to me and Lydia's father was as a brother. "Ladies, Ammie rose from her seat, "I pray you will excuse me while I retire for a few minutes." She nodded her head to each of them and made her way to staircase and up to the first landing just as the gentlemen moved into the great hall talking and laughing.
