24. Chapter 24 #2
She supposed it probably struck the woman as rather odd, her gushing so over a mere servant. In for a penny, in for a pound. She turned to Sterling. “As long as we’re on the subject, Babette would like…that is, as I have need of a new maid, I would like to hire her.”
Both Sterling and Caroline stared at her.
“Lord Randall, you did say she does not function in any real capacity in this household, did you not? And it is not as if she can safely return to the home where she worked previously.”
Sterling shifted his focus to his sister. “I informed Lady Annabelle that Babette came to harm while employed as a maid in one of Father’s estates.”
“Yes. I recall.”
“Babette has developed a crush of sorts on Annabelle,” he went on to say.
A small grin curved Caroline’s mouth. “Of course. She does like pretty things—and people.”
Warmth suffused Annabelle at the unexpected praise—from her soon-to-be sister.
“You may hire her—so long as that is what she wishes,” Sterling allowed. He sliced a bite of ham and eyed Annabelle’s plate meaningfully.
For Heaven’s sake. She picked up her fork and resumed eating.
“May I ask what you have planned for today, Sterling?” Caroline asked, eyes twinkling with humor, although Annabelle could not imagine what had amused her.
“I have estate matters to see to, correspondence to attend. My steward must be summoned at once and certain events involving the kilns resolved.”
“The kilns? I thought Grandfather decreed the kilns not be reopened. Something to do with the smog blocking the view of your precious stars.”
“He did.”
The nibble of toast Annabelle tried to swallow seemed to lodge in her throat at the reminder of what had happened a few short days ago.
“What events?” Caroline asked.
He slanted Annabelle a considering look. “Someone thought to amuse himself by trapping Annabelle in one of the kiln pot chambers.”
“Never say so,” Caroline exclaimed. “Annabelle, you’ve had more than your share of excitement since arriving, have you not?”
“I believe a ring of jewel thieves has claimed the kilns,” she told Caroline. “Your brother disagrees.”
He dabbed his mouth with a serviette and sent her a crooked smile that had her stomach doing a full somersault. “What I think is, no matter who is responsible for what happened, or what he thought he was about, his days of wreaking havoc on my property have come to an end.”
Irritation pricked her. His property. As if what happened to her was no more than an aside.
“Your property?” Lady Caroline burst out in admonishment, echoing her thoughts. “Really, Sterling.”
He flicked his sister an amused glance and bit into his toast. Odious man.
Caroline snorted. “Speaking of your wedding, you told me this morning you acquired your wedding certificate yesterday. May I inquire how?”
That got Annabelle’s attention.
Sterling shrugged and sliced a sausage. “A timely donation—in person—and a request for a discreet favor.”
“You are nothing if not efficient, sir,” Caroline said, her voice warm with approval.
“Thank you.”
Another of those annoying bursts of jealousy erupted in Annabelle at the display of sibling affection.
Caroline caught Annabelle’s eye briefly before shifting her attention to Sterling once more. “Might I suggest, however, now that I am here, and the threat of scandal is no longer imminent, a headlong rush into a hasty ceremony might not be the wisest course?”
Sterling set aside his cutlery and sent his sister a long stare. “I beg your pardon?”
Her expression was all that was innocent. And yet, Annabelle could swear she detected a glimmer of mischief in Caroline’s dark eyes. “A few guests could be invited. Banns could be posted—”
“The banns will be scheduled today. As for guests, the island is hardly suited to visitors.”
“No?”
He frowned and swiped his serviette over his mouth. “No. Any celebration will have to take place after we return to London—if, indeed, there is to be one.”
A remarkably unromantic statement, if ever she heard one.
“Finally, I must reject the notion of a delay on the basis that delaying the wedding will lead to postponing our departure for London, which I have concluded should occur with all due haste,” Sterling said calmly.
That was news to her. She frowned at Sterling and his sister in turn, trying to determine if she was the only one who had been left in the dark as far as travel plans were concerned.
She was not.
Caroline studied her brother as if perplexed. “You made no mention of your plans to return to London in your last correspondence.”
“Did I not?”
“No. I would have remembered.”
“As would I,” Annabelle added with affront.
Sterling did not so much as glance at her. He seemed inclined to direct his words to his sister alone. “Allow me to clarify matters. I’ve decided a speedy return to London is paramount. To that end, I’ve sent for my steward to oversee the estate in my absence.”
Annabelle deemed her presence here not only unnecessary but half-forgotten.
“How exciting,” Caroline enthused, clapping her hands together with obvious relish.
“Exciting?” Sterling prodded.
“Of course,” Caroline said. “I can only imagine the hubbub surrounding your return the moment word spreads about your marriage.”
“I’ve already explained that all of London will know of our nuptials, and by the time we arrive, will deem us old news,” he retorted calmly. “The banns will be posted by the day after tomorrow at the latest.”
Annabelle decided she’d had quite enough of witnessing their conversation as a mute bystander. Her cutlery clattered as she tossed it across her plate without the least care. “Sir, what of my parents? Surely they should be made aware before all of society.”
Finally, he spared her a glance. “How do you propose I accomplish that, madam? According to you, your parents are away on holiday. Or was that another fabrication?”
She refused to deign his question with a reply. “We must send a telegram to my aunt. She can forward the news to them. At least the attempt must be made.”
A long moment ticked past. “As you wish,” he allowed. “So long as you understand the ceremony itself will move forward as planned.” Having issued his arrogant decree, he frowned down at the half-finished plate before her. “Annabelle, are you…unwell?”
His change of topic caught her off guard.
“I haven’t much of an appetite this morning.”
He searched her face. Then his gaze drifted to her mouth, where it hovered.
Heat infused every square inch of her body, then pooled in her low belly. The sensation was most unusual, and oddly intoxicating.
“Of course she hasn’t one, Sterling,” Lady Caroline said in a chiding tone. “She has the pre-wedding jitters.” With that, she rose from her seat. “Come, Lady Annabelle.”
Sterling frowned up at his sister, who sent him an imperious stare. “We’ve a wedding to prepare for.”