Page 76 of The Earl’s Hoyden

“Have you been feeling well?” Amy asked anxiously. “My mother was always dreadfully ill when with child.”

Hannah smiled at Amy’s kindness at always considering others. “In the first two months, I was quite unwell, but Lucien and his mother coddled me endlessly until I was feeling better. I’ve been fine these last two months.”

“The Dowager Countess of Brightstone coddled you?” Lucy asked, incredulous.

Hannah smiled. “Well, in as much as she can. She has been surprisingly welcoming.” From time to time, the older woman had a biting comment, but more often than not caught herself, apologized and restated her words in a softer, more civil manner. She was certainly trying, and Hannah would always appreciate the effort.

“I wonder if you’ll have a boy or a girl.” Jillian tilted her head to the side. “Either way, you’re glowing with happiness.”

“It almost makes one want to get married,” Elizabeth said with a blush.

“Almost,” Lucy muttered.

Which reminded Hannah. “Before tea concludes, I have something for you ladies.” They had spent the last two hours laughing and catching up on what had transpired in their lives over summer. While Hannah giggled and declined to share all, hers had been idyllic; a dream she never had to wake from.

And while Hannah enjoyed the visit with her friends immensely, the weight of exhaustion was beginning to settle over her, a common occurrence since she’d realized her courses had ceased.

“Since I am no longer part of the pact…” She withdrew from behind a pillow the old leather-bound journal with green vines and blue flowers crawling over its edges.

Lucy arched a brow. “That looks familiar.”

“Is that our shared diary from Lady Finch’s?” Elizabeth asked.

“It is.” Hannah presented it in the air with a flourish. She flipped through the pages, filled with five sets of handwriting and paused with a gasp. “Oh my, here is the day I stumbled upon Lady Alison in the stable. ‘I followed a distinct squeaking sound, and much to my surprise…’”

They all erupted into laughter.

“Has anyone had word on Lady Alison?” Elizabeth asked.

Their focus shifted to Jillian.

“Of course, I would have news.” Jillian shook her head wryly. “Very well. Last I heard, the duke intended to propose to Lady Alison, so I suppose we shall see. But in the meantime, my father has agreed to allow me a year to acquire a husband on my own before he throws me into another match.”

Amy frowned empathetically. “But you don’t want to wed.”

Jillian sighed. “At least it is a year from his persistence to secure a husband for me.”

“Or it could be the most romantic introduction to the man you love,” Elizabeth said with delight.

“Elizabeth,” they all cried in unison, which set her giggling.

Hannah held up the book. “Speaking of marriage, it seems only right to grant this to one of you in the hope it will bring you luck in breaking the pact.”

“I don’t want it.” Jillian scooted back on the sofa, away from Hannah.

“Fate will decide.” Hannah pulled four bits of paper from the book’s cover, each folded in half, and spread them in her fingers like playing cards. “There are three stars and one heart. The heart wins.”

Amy reached forward and plucked one from Hannah’s fingers.

“Or loses,” Lucy protested. “What if I don’t want to play?”

Elizabeth took two and passed one to Lucy. “You don’t have a choice.”

Lucy scowled but still accepted the paper from Elizabeth as Hannah handed the last one to Jillian.

They all opened them together, and both Jillian and Lucy exhaled out a long sigh of relief.

“I suppose I’m to receive the book next,” Elizabeth said softly. From her reaction, Hannah could not tell whether that pleased her or not.