Ruth

It was too cold for a fete. There was a reason they usually held it at the end of September—chiefly because it was the true harvest day, of course. But also, believed, it was much more reasonable to be expected to spend a day out of doors when her fingers were not in danger of freezing solid.

Oh, very well. Her fingers were wrapped in thick gloves and were not in mortal danger yet . But her nose was not wrapped in anything. She was certain it was redder than a cherry.

"Has Edmund arrived?" Tom asked, tugging on the skirt of her pelisse and looking around them. "I want to see Edmund."

"Ryland and Aurelia have only been married for one day," Mama said. "We cannot expect to see them here."

searched the crowds again and her eyes snagged on her brother's auburn hair, the red tinge showing in the sunlight. "They're here," she said, pointing.

Tom threw his arms in the air, waving, and Edmund rushed in their direction.

"Good day, family," Ryland said, his smile beaming.

Aurelia stood at his side, her arm strung through his. She wore a satisfied, contented expression that was so at odds with the nervous, quiet person she had been when she first arrived in Harewood. It had been buoying for to watch her brother fall in love again, but she had also enjoyed seeing Aurelia blossom under his care.

She nudged Edmund. "Are you prepared to spend a fortnight with me and Tom?"

Edmund and Tom jumped up and down in tandem.

Edmund's eyes widened round as saucers as he spoke to Tom. "My new mama made a pillow for me that looks like a tiger ."

Tom gasped. "I want one!"

"You'll have to ask your mama to make you one, then."

"I have a feeling it will be a wild fortnight in the Wycliffe house," said, raising her eyebrows at her parents.

Lady Helena laughed. "You will take Tom for a few days when you return, will you not, Andrew? I will need the time to recover."

"We would be happy to," Aurelia said. "The boys can work on their puppet show and I will sneak mathematics in where I may."

"Are you still planning to teach Edmund?" asked, taken aback. She'd assumed, now that Aurelia was the countess, she would begin looking for a new governess.

"Of course," Aurelia said, tucking her chin in surprise. "Why would I not?"

Ryland leaned over and kissed her temple. "She cannot be persuaded otherwise. I think Edmund is happy with the arrangement."

"When you are ill with a child of your own, you may change your mind," Mama said.

Aurelia did not look as though she agreed, her smile remaining in place. "We shall see, I suppose."

As eager as was for more darling nieces or nephews, what she wanted at that moment was to spend time with her new sister. "Eliza told me there is a booth serving apple pie. Shall we find it, Aurelia?"

"I'd like that."

Ryland pulled on Aurelia's hand when she tried to extricate herself. "I thought we agreed I would show you my favorite tent," he muttered.

"You can kiss her any time you want now, Ry," said. "Do not try and steal her away to hide behind a tent. Let me eat pie with my new sister."

He scoffed. "I have no idea what you are talking about." The gleam in his eyes meant she had very much taken his measure.

strung her arm through Aurelia's and pulled her away. She leaned close but whispered loud enough to be overheard. "If you ever need a moment away from him, you can always hide at Willowbrook."

Aurelia laughed. "You are too kind."

Ryland did not laugh, but he smiled through his glower.

Together they weaved through the crowd, admiring the various tents and tables lined with goods and wares. When they came upon the apple pie, they passed Tilly sharing a slice with Christopher. Aurelia gave her a wide smile, then leaned into . "I think we'll have another wedding at Tilton before Christmas."

"Won't you miss Tilly?" asked.

"I've been thinking of ways to keep her on. At least until she has children of her own, and then we might be able to find a new position for her. I haven't asked your brother yet, but I think he wouldn't mind giving them the gardener's cottage. It's empty now, and it only needs a little work to be in good order."

"You've thought this through," said, appraising her while they waited in the queue.

"Andrew already told me he did not forbid his maids from marrying. I do not think he'll care if they live in the house and stay on as servants, so we have a good deal of time before they have children and we would have to find somewhere for them to go. I think the empty cottage is an excellent solution."

"It is. Tilly has become important to you, I gather."

"All of the servants have," Aurelia said, moving up in the queue. "They are my friends."

nodded. She had known Aurelia had a good heart, but now she could see just how perfect she was for Ryland. It was a good thing they were wealthy, so Ryland could support his wife's matchmaking all their servants and later providing pensions and homes for them as well. She bit back her humor when they reached the table and purchased their slices of pie.

"When you return from your honeymoon in London, we should pay another visit to Madame Perreau."

Aurelia laughed. "Yes, I know. My gowns leave much to be desired. But I do love what she did for the wedding."

"Then you will adore her other designs. She made that dress very quickly, but give her more time and her detail is unparalleled." They chatted about their favorite gowns and some of the more ridiculous designs they'd encountered over the various Seasons they'd attended. When they returned to where their families were waiting, they found Samuel and Oliver had joined them.

gripped Aurelia's arm. "Be a wall between me and Samuel," she hissed.

"How does he not understand how you feel about him? It is exceedingly clear to everyone else."

"He must not or he would drop his suit. Please?"

Aurelia moved to her other side and created a barrier.

"I'm afraid I could not locate him," Samuel said to Ryland, a pained expression on his wrinkled brow. "His ship had docked and he'd been seen at the inn, but no one knew where he went after that."

"Strange," Papa said, rubbing his chin. "Are your parents concerned?"

"Not Mother," Samuel said. "She told me this is typical behavior for her brother."

"But our grandmother has very little time remaining," Oliver said, his voice solemn. "We will have to tell her the truth—her son cannot be found."

"You might tell her he is coming," offered. "He certainly is, even if he chose to take a detour along the way, so it will be the truth."

Papa's lips pressed into a thin line. He put his hand on Oliver's shoulder. "Do not trouble yourself with our agreement yet, son. There will be time enough for it later."

Oliver looked grateful. "Thank you, Mr. Wycliffe."

"Shall we find whatever is roasting?" Samuel asked his cousin. "I'm not certain what I can smell, but it is delightful."

"On the far north side," said. "I saw the tent from the apple pie."

"That will be our second stop," Oliver said, giving her a wink.

The men bade their farewells and were on their way.

"What agreement are you making with Oliver, darling?" Mama said after the men were gone.

"A land arrangement. He will likely be at our house a good deal while we work it out. I plan to teach him everything I can. He is about to have a grand estate to manage, and I'm not certain anyone has taught him enough."

"I am glad," Mama said, leaning into Papa's side.

Ryland pulled Aurelia close, looking over her shoulder to see where the boys were now. "Shall we take Edmund and Tom to play some of the games? I would love to see their legs tied together."

"They nearly won that race last year," Mama said. "I'm certain they've only improved."

He grinned. "I'm counting on it."

Ryland and Aurelia walked together, their hands intertwined, to speak to the boys, but 's gaze snagged on the men just beyond them, her thoughts snagging on her father's promise about Oliver being around more often. She liked him; she always had. But the flutter in her stomach when she watched him walk away was concerning.

Oliver was a fine-looking man, but he was still from Harewood.

One thing was abundantly clear: needed to make more rules.