There was a knock on their door before Pauline, Lady Devon’s lady’s maid, walked in. “My lady, do you wish to change out of your carriage dress?”
Lord Devon kissed hiswife’s cheek. “I’ll see you downstairs, my dear.”
As he walked down the stairs, Fletcher and Easton were coming down the hall to head into the drawing room.
“Father?”
“Easton, my boy. Your mother and I decided to follow your advice and push through instead of spending another night in an inn.”
“Devon, welcome to Dandridge Manor,” Fletcher said, extending his hand.
“Fletcher, thank you for the invitation,” Devon said, grasping his hand in a firm handshake.
“Shall we go to the drawing room and join the ladies?”
Devon nodded and followed the men to the drawing room.
“Papa, you’re here,” Kathrynexclaimed as she rose and went to her father, kissing his cheek.
Lord Devon hugged her. “My dear, you’re looking quite well.”
Kathryn gave him a shy smile. “Thank you, Papa. The country air agrees with me.”
“Lord Devon, welcome to Dandridge Manor,” Audrey said with a curtsey, as Grace and Mia performed their own curtsies.
“Lady Fletcher, the pleasure is all mine,” Lord Devon said.
“How was the journey from London?” Kathryn asked after everyone took a seat.
“Not horrible, although a day of rain didn’t help the condition of the roads. So many ruts to contend with,” Lord Devon said.
“I can attest to that,” Easton chimed in. “I was glad I was on horseback and not bouncing around in the carriage.”
It didn’t take long before Lady Devon joined them, and everyone went into the dining room. The conversation around the table was lively, and Mrs. Greenleaf had outdone herself with the meal.
“My compliments to your cook,” Lady Devon said. “The meal was superb.”
“I’ll be sure to pass that along, my lady,” Audrey said.
Kathryn kept stealing glances at her brother, but Easton only seemed interested in talking with Mr. Wallings. They were friends, after all, but she worried that her brother might be deliberately delaying the difficult conversation they needed to have with their father.
After luncheon, Grace and Kathryn took a stroll in the garden. “Kathryn, you seem unsettled. Did something happen while we were at Sunday services?” Grace asked.
Kathryn looked around to make sure they weren’t overheard. “Yes. I confessed my love to Mr. Clifford, and he did the same. Then he proposed!”
“Proposed?” Grace’s eyes widened.
“Easton actually witnessed the proposal. Neither of us saw him standing in the doorway.”
“Oh dear, what was his reaction?”
“He was happy for us and said he’d try to help plead my case. What if Papa refuses to allow me to marry the man I love?”
“What about your mother? Will she support you?”
“I don’t know. Audrey suggested I talk with her first before approaching Papa.”
“I agree with my sister. Do you wish me to come with you?”