Mother had invited her daughters to join her for tea, although invite was not entirely accurate, as there was no possibility of refusal. Mother tended to do that on occasion, when she was feeling particularly sentimental or there was something of a serious nature to discuss. Grayson had gallantly volunteered to keep an eye on the others. He really was trying to help. It was most endearing of him. Perhaps it was time to tell him she was no longer trying to garner a proposal from Nikolai but rather avoid one. Perhaps he had earned that. And then, who knew what might happen?

“Now that it is most awkward to have everyone here,” Camille said, “you tell me Uncle Basil has arrived as well.”

Beryl and her mother traded glances.

“Unfortunately,” Mother began. “Basil is not feeling quite his usual self—”

Beryl choked on her tea.

“And he thinks it’s best if he takes the next day or so to rest and recover his strength.” Mother continued. “I suspect he may not join us until Christmas.” Mother smoothed her hair. She had seemed a bit disheveled this afternoon, which was decidedly odd as she rarely had a hair out of place. While it could be attributed to her assistance in the decoration of the house, it was not at all like her. “Besides, given the current circumstances, he thought it might be wise not to add yet another player to your cast.”

“Oh, dear.” Camille frowned. “I do hope it’s nothing serious.”

“I doubt it. He has always been a hardy sort.” Mother waved off the comment. “Although, for now, he has taken to his bed—”

Beryl coughed.

Mother cast her a sharp look. “Only as a precaution, mind you. It’s no doubt nothing more than the strain of travel.”

“I hope so, as there is no additional staff to attend to him,” Camille said. “But I would like to spend some time with the dear man as soon as I can reasonably absent myself from the others. Even now, I’m not at all pleased at having left Nikolai in Grayson’s charge.”

“I’m sure Grayson is more than up to the task,” Mother said.

“I can do that. See to Uncle Basil, that is,” Delilah said. “You already have a great deal to juggle without having to worry about him as well.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you.” Camille smiled at her younger sister. “And most appreciated.”

“Well, if your deception isn’t successful, we shall all suffer the consequences,” Delilah added with an offhand shrug.

“I think it’s a splendid idea.” A thoughtful note sounded in Mother’s voice. “You’ve scarcely spent any significant time with your uncle at all since your marriage. Not like when you were a child. You can take the opportunity to . . .”

“Get to know him?” Beryl suggested.