Oliver cleared his throat, three different cords tugging at him. He wanted to follow Beth, greet the girls, and get Sheridan tucked safely away in the library and didn’t know which to do first. It might be a bit obvious if he shoved Sheridan down the corridor with the front door still hanging open, so he decided to wait. He’d give Beth a moment with their grandmother before following her, and then he would explain everything to her. For now, he held the door open for Benna and Libby, who were at the gate already, and sighed a bit when he saw Casek Wearne alter his trajectory toward them as well. He was still in his rowing clothes, coming up the hill at a jog. Must have spotted Mabena.

Oliver was apparently going to have a houseful this morning.

His cousin’s eyes were blessedly clear of pain. And Libby’s full of it, though more the emotional sort than physical. She smiled at him, but the smile stiffened and faded when she glanced past him and presumably spotted Sheridan.

Though Oliver of a Week Ago would have taken a bit too much pleasure in closing the door before Casek could reach it, Oliver of Today left it wide as he welcomed the girls inside. “You have a shadow, Benna.” He nodded toward Casek, noting the way her cheeks flushed when she noticed him.

It barely even made him sigh. He was making progress.

His fingers found Libby’s elbow of their own volition, and he smiled down at her. “I suspect that isn’t a picnic in the basket.” A woeful meow was his answer, making him chuckle. He tapped a finger in greeting upon the wooden lid. “Good morning, Darling. We’ll let you out once the door is closed, and you can come and meet Mamm-wynn.”

Mabena didn’t seem to know whether to step back outside or dash down the hallway. “Beth?”

“She’s gone to see her.”

“How is she? Mamm-wynn?” Libby leaned a bit closer to him as she asked—something he might not have noticed had he not been keenly aware of Lord Sheridan standing half a step away and her brother lurking in the dining room.

He ought to let go of her arm, probably. But couldn’t convince his fingers to obey. So instead he led her a few more steps into the entryway so they could make room for Casek. “She stirred a bit overnight. Opened her eyes a few times.”

Libby frowned at him. “Did you get any sleep at all?”

“Here and there.”

Her frown only deepened. “Oliver, you mustn’t—”

“Oliver?” Lord Telford’s voice, gruff and surly, intruded upon them.

Sheridan spun to face his friend with an overly bright look of surprise. “He speaks! And it’s before nine! Note it on the calendar, Lady Elizabeth.”

Libby just let out a long breath. “Good morning, Bram.”