Page 4 of Vying for a Viscount
“Good day, Lady Rutherford,” Lady Anastasia said with a smile.
“Yes, good day,” Lady Aurora said.
“Please call me, Letitia.”
“We will,” replied Aurora.
The ride took about an hour, and Letitia was grateful the twins kept the conversation going whenever it lulled. Greyson was quiet beside her, and she had a feeling he didn’t often get to speak around his sisters.
“Greyson told us you have a son,” Anastasia said, taking off her gloves and fanning herself with them. “My, it’s warm today.”
“It is warm, and yes, I have a two-year-old son named Simon.”
“Nice name,” Greyson said, shocking her that he was paying attention.
“Thank you. It was my father’s name.”
“I’m sorry. When did he pass?”
“A little over two years ago. Not long before Rutherford.”
Aurora sat up straighter, suddenly seeming more interested. “How awful for you. It must have been difficult to lose your husband.”
“It was. My mother and Clarice helped me. My mother retired to the country with the Duchess of Blackstone’s mother not long ago. They have been friends for years.”
“You must miss her.” This from Greyson.
“I do, but she’s happy, and that’s all that matters.”
“Our father is unwell,” Anastasia added to the conversation, and she could feel the tension filling Greyson’s body.
“The doctors think he’ll live another six months or so.” Again from Greyson.
“I’m sorry,” said Letitia.
He shrugged and said, “It is what it is.” The carriage came to a stop, and Greyson exhaled. “We’ve arrived.”
The Greenville Estate, a large, four-story limestone home, sat at the end of a long drive lined with white-flowering trees. It resembled a princess’s house in a fairy tale.
Greyson exited the carriage first, then assisted his sisters and her. A footman greeted them and escorted them down a stone pathway that wound around to the back of the enormous estate to a terrace crowded with tables, chairs, and guests. Greyson escorted them to their hosts, or at least the ones Letitia believed to be their hosts, since everyone was greeting them.
“Lord and Lady Greenville,” Greyson bowed, “thank you for the invitation. May I present Lady Rutherford? And you remember my sisters, Lady Anastasia and Lady Aurora.”
“Welcome,” Lady Greenville said with a friendly smile. Letitia, along with the twins, curtsied.
“My parents send their regards,” Greyson said.
“How are they?” Lord Greenville said. “I was sorry to hear of your father’s declining health.”
“They both have good days and bad, but thank you for asking.”
“Please enjoy yourselves,” Lady Greenville said.
All four of them made their way to the terrace and found fourempty chairs at a long banquet table.
“How do you know Lord and Lady Greenville?” Letitia asked.
“My father and Lord Greenville have known each other since their Eton days,” Greyson replied.
