“Does he anticipate difficulty?” Alex walked alongside the cart, keeping a watchful eye on Teddy, who was seated atop the box next to the driver. Teddy’s wheeled chair had been placed in the back.

Tom trailed behind. “Justin always anticipates difficulties. It’s one of his most endearing qualities.”

Neville glanced back at them from his place at the horse’s head. “Lady Helena is strong.”

“He knows that,” Tom said. “But he still worries about losing her. And now that she’s nearing her confinement—”

“He must be bloody terrified.” Alex’s expression turned grim. “I know I’d be if it was Laura. I’m not sure an infant would be worth the risk to her health.”

Tom’s mouth hitched. “Your wife may have something to say on that score.”

“Does yours?” Alex retorted.

“Jenny and I have no interest in children at present. We have other plans. But one day…” Tom shrugged. “I suppose we’ll settle down eventually.”

“I know one thing,” Alex said. “Christmas is a dashed inconvenient time to be expecting a child. Justin will be too distracted to enjoy himself.”

“On the contrary,” Tom replied. “He’s enjoying himself very much—in the company of his wife.”

“What about you?” Alex looked up at Teddy. “Are you glad you came?”

Teddy gave his brother-in-law a sheepish smile. “I still think it’s too much trouble.”

“No trouble at all,” Alex said. “Unless you’d rather have remained back at the Abbey? Or perhaps you’d have preferred to attend church with your aunt and her companion?”

“No, no,” Teddy objected, laughing. “This is much preferable.” He gripped the seat of the cart. “Though I do wonder how Clara is managing.”

Neville shot Teddy a narrow glance. He’d gotten to know him a little better since his arrival, enough that they’d advanced to using each other’s Christian names. He seemed a confident lad, often talking or laughing with his sister.

Or with Miss Hartwright.

Clara.

Had she given Teddy permission to call her that? The very idea of it made Neville’s chest constrict with jealousy.

It was a new sensation, and one he didn’t much care for.

“Miss Hartwright will be fine,” Tom said. “She strikes me as an adaptable lady.”

Neville scowled at him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Only that I suspect she’s capable of conforming herself to a variety of settings. Of doing what’s required of her. I mean it as a compliment.”

“It doesn’t sound like one.”

Alex and Tom exchanged a glance.

Neville affected not to notice. As the cart approached the back of the Abbey, it slowed to a lurching halt.

Alex was instantly at Teddy’s side, one hand on the padded seat of the cart. “Steady.”

“I’m all right,” Teddy said. “I’m not made of glass, you know.”

“Humor me. If anything happens to you, I have to answer to your sister.” Alex helped Teddy down from his seat as one of the footmen brought around his wheeled chair.

The housekeeper, Mrs. Quill, emerged from the back door of the Abbey. “Oh, this is a fine one.” She walked around the cart, giving the tree a thorough once over. “It must be rinsed off.” She directed two of the footmen, and one of the maids to the task. “I’ll have no mud in this house.”