Ida folded her hands in her lap, a prim expression on her face. “I have time for my sister. Especially since I went and located you.” She looked around at the remaining three sisters as though reminding them it was her who had managed the impossible.

Her sisters just stared back at her, and Della had to stifle a laugh.

“You are trying to avoid telling us,” Eleanor said. Not incorrectly.

“You’ve fallen in love with him. Lord Stanbury,” Olivia announced.

Della rolled her eyes as Ida glared at Olivia.

“Of course she has, but something has obviously happened,” Ida said disdainfully. “So what was it? You know that whatever it is, we support you.”

Della leaned forward and took Ida’s hand in hers, squeezing it as she smiled at her youngest sister. “I know. Thank you. And thank you for finding me.” Even though at the time she hadn’t wanted to be found.

“Well?” Olivia demanded impatiently.

“Well,” Della began. “I will explain, but I want to wait until we are at my house. I don’t want to have to say it all over again to Sarah.”

The sisters were silent for the ride home, although Della could feel how Olivia was practically vibrating from wanting to speak.

They got home, Olivia paying the hackney, and then all five of them walked into the house. Neither Pearl nor Ida had visited before, so the two of them were glancing all around, likely noting the mismatched furniture and the clutter of toys and garments in the hallway.

Sarah emerged from the back of the hallway, probably having come from the kitchen. She looked as though she was about to speak, then saw Della’s face and her expression grew fierce.

“Do any of you have to do with this?” she asked the sisters at large.

“No, they’re here to help,” Della explained, quickly, before Sarah started challenging each and every one of them to ensure they weren’t the cause of Della’s distress.

Her friend truly was the best.

“Let’s go into the dining room, that’s the only space big enough for all of us.”

Mr. Wattings walked down the staircase from the upper floor, clearly having just woken up. His eyes widened at seeing all the sisters in the foyer. And looked as though he were considering just turning around and going back upstairs.

“Can I help with anything?” He addressed his question to his wife.

Sarah looked at Della. “Can he?”

Della shrugged. “He might as well come. He knows Lord Stanbury, and I wouldn’t want him to be caught unawares by anything Lord Stanbury might say.”

“Lord Stanbury now, is it?” Sarah said. “And said so very formally.” She stepped up behind Della and removed her cloak from her shoulders. “Let me hang this up and ring for tea.”