The stories he had told her from his youth were amusing and entertaining, and she wished to hear Basset’s version of them as well. Yet Richard had told her more than once that, until he could prove himself, Basset would not take kindly to Richard’s intervention.

So she had said nothing.

She did note that Richard never once mentioned Emblyn in his letters, and, given the circumstances of strain between the brothers and Emblyn’s own background, she made no mention of her either.That was not her secret to share, and she trusted that Basset had a reason for not telling his brother about their sister.

But oh, there were days when she wanted to take her letter from Richard and show Basset the apologetic tone of it and the amiable nature with which he wrote.

She would have to give it time and let Richard become the man he thought himself too low to aspire to.

“I had no notion tha’ charity wore pearls.”

Adelaide broke from her reverie and laughed at her sister-in-law’s remarks, glancing down at her otherwise moderately plain ensemble. “I thought the pearls might represent goodness and elevation, much befitting a virtue such as this.”

Emblyn grinned widely, her whimsical, ethereal costume of white and pale green suiting her rather perfectly. “And the gold in yer templer and veil?”

“My holy glow, surely,” Adelaide protested. “And it is only right that it should stream down into the gown itself, just a touch. Charity does draw one in, does it not?”

“Suppose it does.” Emblyn looked over at her brother, eyeing his ensemble. “And given the deep red o’ yer coat, Harry, and the black and gold beneath it all, ee mus’ be greed?”

He gave her a slight bow. “As promised.” He pulled his watch from his pocket, frowning at the time. “If we are to exchange gifts, ladies, it must be now. The guests will be along shortly.”

“I should like to go first!” Adelaide moved to the gifts wrapped in brown paper atop the sideboard in the room. The larger one she handed to Basset, the smaller to Emblyn. “Nadelik Lowen.”

Basset chuckled as he unwrapped the paper. “You will never tire of saying that, will you?”

Adelaide shook her head with a wild grin, linking her fingers together in anticipation.

He paused as he looked down at the now unwrapped slippers and began laughing in earnest, which made her grin spread farther still. “You did not.”

“I can assure you, I did!” Adelaide giggled, touching her clasped fingers beneath her chin. “Emblyn could attest to my embroidery.”

“A craven mythical creature of whimsy, Lady Basset? Most surprising.” He looked over the slippers with a warm smile, nodding at them. “Thank you, Adelaide. Truly.”

Her heart fluttered just a little, his full smile a wonder to behold. “You are most welcome.” She turned to look at Emblyn, hearing no reaction from her.