“Brave or foolhardy, I’m not certain,” Della said ruefully.

Seeing Lord Did Not Appear At The Party Last Night wasn’t necessarily why she decided to take Nora, Sarah, and Emily to the duke’s house for a visit. She had sent a note earlier that day, and had received a prompt reply saying today would be ideal, and that the duke was eagerly anticipating meeting Nora as well as Mrs. Wattings and Emily.

That Lord Stanbury hadn’t been there the night before and she was livid about it played only a small part in her decision to go to the duke’s house. A furious part, but a small part nonetheless.

They’d hailed a hackney outside their house, which thrilled Nora and Emily, who hadn’t taken a carriage yet since arriving in London. And seldom when they had been living in the country—they all walked, since they couldn’t afford and didn’t see a need to keep a horse.

“Does the duke have a dog?” Nora demanded again. Right, she had forgotten about Nora’s canine obsession.

“I don’t know. We’ll find out,” Della said. She hoped there was a dog somewhere about so that Nora wouldn’t loudly complain to the duke about his obvious lack.

“Look out there,” Emily said in a quiet voice. She was far less exuberant than Nora, and definitely better behaved. Della wished she could blame Nora’s exuberant enthusiasm on anybody but herself, but she could not. Nora was like her at that age—fearless, determined, and outspoken.

Rather like you are now, she heard a voice say in her head. The voice sounded an awful lot like Griffith, and he sounded amused. She grinned at the thought.

Damn it. She didn’t want to think kindly about him now, not when she was still angry with him. And she could not develop any more complicated feelings for him beyond desire. That was a risk she could not take.

“Mama, look,” Nora said, pointing out the window. “Look how fancy.”

Della glanced out the window, her breath catching as she saw what Nora was pointing at.

Her parents’ carriage, resplendent with the family crest, pulled by a perfectly matched team of horses. She turned away, meeting Sarah’s sympathetic gaze.

“It’s pretty,” Emily said.

“It is. Why isn’t ours like that?” Nora demanded.

“We’re in a hackney cab,” Sarah explained. “That is a private carriage for a family.”

“We’re a family,” Nora retorted. “Why don’t we have one?”

Dear Lord, Della thought. Just once I wish Nora were a little less like me.

“Look over there,” Sarah said, pointing out the other side. “Do you see the man with the big cart? I wonder what he’s selling.”

The girls immediately pivoted their attention out the other window, allowing Della to catch her breath. Sarah gave her knee a discreet pat.

“Apples!” Nora said, first as always.