“We have been here for years.” Alice used the dry tone she had been perfecting in preparation for their Season, along with a regal demeanor. It was all a hum. Granted, they were not nearly as silly as they had been in the schoolroom, but none of them were grandes dames . . . yet.

Madeline rolled her eyes. “You know what she means. We are finally making our come outs. It seems as if we have been waiting for years.”

“We have been waiting for years.” Eleanor grinned. “So have Matt and Grace.”

Alice gave her a doubtful look. “You mean they have been dreading it for years.”

That was probably true. Eleanor met Alice’s gaze and knew they were both thinking how things would change for them.

“At least we will not be without assistance,” Madeline commented brightly. “For a very long time, Matt has been saying that it is ‘all hands on deck.’”

She had mimicked his stern command so perfectly, Eleanor and Alice chuckled.

Indeed, the past week had seen a steady stream of their older married sisters and family friends arriving in Town. The only ones missing were their sister Augusta, now Lady Phineas Carter-Woods, her husband, Phinn, and their older brother Charlie, Earl of Stanwood.

Eleanor guided Adela, her Cleveland mare, to the right, knowing the other two horses would go the same way. They all had Cleveland mares from the same breeder who were trained together. It was not only the mares that had trained together. Eleanor and her sisters had, for the past six years, done everything from getting into trouble, to studying Latin, French, and German, to learning what they would need to know to be married ladies together. It was odd to think that after this Season they might not live in the same house any longer.

Madeline glanced around. “Why are we turning?”

“I am hungry.” Eleanor’s stomach growled, adding emphasis to her statement. “By the time we are home, we will have just enough time to wash before going to breakfast.” She glanced quickly toward the gate and saw two men entering. For some reason, the one on the black horse caught her interest. “I wonder who they are.”

“Where?” Madeline peered around Eleanor.

Alice leaned forward and looked as well.

“Do not stare. They could see us.” When the other two straightened, Eleanor said, “There were two gentlemen riding just off to the side. They were galloping.”

Madeline leaned forward to see. “What did they look like?”

“They both had reddish hair, but of different hues. Well dressed. One rode a black horse and the other horse was gray.”

“I wonder if they are the type of gentlemen who will be introduced to us,” Madeline mused.

“Only time will tell.” Eleanor took the lead through the gate. They had discovered early on that once the carts, wagons, and drays were out, they could not ride three abreast.