“Yes, my lady. Do you require something?”
“Lord Easton has just arrived. Please have Mrs. Greenleaf send up a pot of tea.”
“Right away, my lady,” Betsy said. She bobbed a quick curtsy before leaving the room.
“It will only be a few moments. Come and sit with me and tell me what you’ve been doing all summer,” Kathryn said.
“Not much, really.”
“Come now, Easton. I know that’s probably not true.”
Easton chuckled.
Betsy soon returned with a pot of tea and some lemon biscuits. Kathryn poured him a cup while Easton spent the next hour regaling her with stories of his summer in London. “I don’tthink Father is very happy with me these days. My name has appeared in the scandal sheets once too often for his taste.”
“The scandal sheets? Whatever for?”
“Seems a certain young lady has been telling wild tales about me. She only stopped spreading the malicious gossip when she was caught in an outright lie about my whereabouts on a particular evening.”
“Oh dear, that doesn’t sound good. What was she saying?”
“Nothing for your tender ears to hear, my dear. To put it mildly, her parents were not pleased with her. They’ve taken her to the country, and I’m not sure she’ll be back in London next Season.”
“Well, that certainly sounds scandalous.”
“It was, but luckily her lies were found out by two of my friends, who confirmed my whereabouts on the night she said I’d compromised her. I couldn’t imagine myself leg-shackled to that harridan.”
“That does sound dreadful. Now, dear brother, I have news.”
“Besides the fact you’re in love with a commoner and I witnessed his proposal?” he asked with a wink.
“Yes, besides that, although that’s the most important news. You’ll be pleased to hear your friend, Mr. Wallings, is the new vicar here at St. Mary’s parish.”
“What? Wallings is here? No wonder I couldn’t find him at his London parish. No one could tell me where he’d gone.”
“That’s not all. He and Miss Parker have formed an attachment and are engaged to be married.”
“Now that I’m not surprised about. Wallings went on and on about Miss Parker at the end of the Season, saying how much he enjoyed her company. At the time, I thought it was merely an infatuation.”
“Not at all. They’re very much in love and so happy together.”
“Have the banns been read?”
“Yes. The first one should have been read earlier today at services.”
“How wonderful. Do you know if they intend to marry right away? I’d love to be here for the wedding.”
“Yes, Grace told me she doesn’t wish to have a long engagement.”
“Excellent. I’m very pleased for my friend.”
“As am I. All of the Fletchers have been so kind to me over the summer. I’ve had the most wonderful time here.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“They’ll be returning soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Wallings joins the family for luncheon, so you’ll have a chance to catch up with him.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”