“His sister?” Adelaide seized on the topic at once, wondering if these ladies might give her the information Basset had not. “I’ve heard of her. In a manner, I mean. Basset asked that I have a dress made for her, as she was too shy to come to the wedding. Tell me, is she very sweet?”

Again, the ladies shared a look, and Adelaide could not have deciphered it for the world.

“She is,” Mrs. Roskelley said slowly. “And very honest. She will tell you exactly what she thinks, if she is comfortable enough with you to do so. No airs or artifice.”

“Strange, given Basset is all airs and artifice,” Adelaide quipped without restraint, clamping down on her lips hard when she realized the words she had uttered in this particular company.

Blessedly, the two ladies only laughed.

“Yes, I daresay he was with you,” Lily said as she sat, situating her plate and her cup of chocolate neatly. “He has a very practiced manner at times, usually when he is less than comfortable.”

Adelaide sat as well, pursing her lips. “Well, he was comfortable enough to toss barbs at me when I was less than accommodating to his wishes.”

Mrs. Roskelley coughed a loud laugh. “Well, I hope you gave as good as you got, Lady Basset. I did not train him to be disparaging without a fair rival.” She grinned at Adelaide as she, too, took her seat. “I trust you might call me Julia now that you know that.”

“I do my best to return fire, Julia, rest assured,” Adelaide told her, indulging the familiarity, now she knew she might be among future allies. She could not yet count them as such in truth. Everyone was more likely to be agreeable to the bride on her wedding day.

Time alone would be her ally, and she could be quite patient when it would be in her favor.

“Tell me,” Adelaide asked her companions, smiling fondly, “what did you think of the cake?”

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Harrison’s new wife did not travel well. She was perfectly fine, as far as her health was concerned.

It was her manner and temperament that suffered.

And his, as a result.

He’d had relatively high hopes after their wedding that she would have grown more accommodating, given her less frequent vitriols and more becoming tone of voice in the days leading up to it. Even her wedding day antics, which still showed a stubborn streak, were admissible, as he would never have wished for her spirit to change entirely from who she’d always been. He simply wanted a less contentious spouse.

Clearly, that had not happened.

Adelaide was just as antagonistic as she ever was; she simply saved every instance of that display for him now.

How blessed a wedding gift for him.