Page 18 of Summer Storms

The child looked over his shoulder at her. “Are you?”

Christine looked to Will, who nodded at her firmly.

“I... I would love to.”

The child grinned, looking like a tiny version of her father.

She followed them to the newer part of the Hall, where Will and Molly now lived. After tucking her in, she read Phyllis a story, but she did so as if she were rehearsing for a play. She made up voices for each character and enjoyed herself immensely. When she was done, the young girl begged for more, and Christine was more than willing, but Will had to lay down the law and tell her it was definitely her bedtime.

“Thank you,” he said as they left the room.

“I loved doing it,” she declared. “I want more family time like that, Will.”

“That’s up to you, I suppose,” he said with a kind smile. “It would be very nice to see you here more often. Perhaps you should speak to Zek about it,” he added wickedly.

Perhaps I should, she thought. Perhaps I should.

CHAPTER NINE

The Lady’s House was aglow with bright light. Had Zek bought up every candle and lantern in the country? Once again, Christine was in the coach with Will and Molly, while the rest of her family followed in their own equipages. Abby and Reeve had decided not to attend, and Christine suspected that even with a nursemaid, they would be too busy to travel for some time. Her parents had also decided to remain at home—it had been a busy time for them, too, and they were looking forward to a quiet evening.

“Last time I saw this place it was full of workmen,” Molly said excitedly.

“Zek must be very pleased,” Will added. “He said he always wanted to give his mother a proper house to live in.”

Christine remembered the hovel the Nashes had once resided in. The children with their grubby faces peering through the grubby windows whenever she passed. She had hated them and hated to see them at Christmastime in her house. Now, thinking back, she suspected she had felt some guilt and shame that her family should have so much and others so little. It had been easier to blame Zek for his misfortune.

She had always thought Zek had not been grateful enough during those festive luncheons. She’d thought he’d sneered at her after all her family had done for him. But it wasn’t that simple. The charity the Starlings offered must have cut Zek to the quick, and made him starkly aware of his inability to help his mother and siblings. He was trapped in a situation he could not change. And that resentment led to his behaviour around Christine, seeing she obviously hated him too.

She still remembered that cold snowball trickling down her back.

The coach drew up to the front of the house. As she began to descend, she heard music swell from the open front door, mixed with the chatter of many voices. Christine wondered how she would feel if Zek were to glare at her now as she entered his home, just as she had glared at him not so long ago.

Mrs Nash greeted them at the door, giddy with excitement. She welcomed them in, offering food and drink, and pointing out the room where dancing was to take place. “So many people here tonight,” she said, almost boasting. “Some even arrived from London!”

The house had been transformed since the last time Christine had been here, soaked to the bone and miserable. Flowers and greenery were everywhere, and everything that could be polished now shone like a mirror. It seemed no expense had been spared. Across the room, Izzy was smiling at an older man. When asked, Will said he was Mrs Nash’s brother-in-law, the uncle Zek had gone to work for, who eventually changed the fortunes of the family.

Izzy spotted Christine. Her smile dropped away and eyes narrowed.

So, they were still enemies then.

When the last guests had arrived, Zek made a speech welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming. He was confident and calm, as if he did this sort of thing every day. As if his difficult past had never existed. Then the orchestra struck up, and the dancing began.

Will first danced with Molly, then with Christine. She knew some of the people in attendance tonight—Sir Reginald Morton was here, along with Celeste Hunter and her husband, Mark. The Norrises were here from Barton Manor, as was Breana’s friend Chloe Bennett and her parents. There were also many people Christine didn’t know, most likely from London.

There was no shortage of gentlemen to dance with, and Christine was certainly enjoying herself, but something was missing. Not once had Zek come to ask her to dance, or even to chat with her, and she wanted him to. Despite what Izzy had said and Christine’s own doubts, she would love to be in his arms right now.

Mrs Nash approached Christine as she went to the supper table for a refreshment. “How is your sister faring? Such happy news for her and Lord Ravenhill.”

“She is well, thank you, and it is happy news. Very happy news.”

“I thought of visiting, but I wasn’t sure if I should. They probably have enough to do without me knocking on their door.” She sounded timid. It was like looking back in time, to a version of her who was ashamed of her lot in life, and not wanting to burden anyone with it.

“Mrs Nash, they would be more than happy to see you,” Christine assured her. “Your son and Reeve are friends and business partners, after all. But apart from that, you would be very welcome for your own sake.” She then leaned in and confided. “I’m sure they’d appreciate a visit from anyone who wasn’t immediate family at this point.”

The woman still seemed doubtful. “I did send your sister a basket of fruit. Did she receive it?”

Izzy seemed to appear out of nowhere between them. “Oh Mother, how would she know?” Her tone was nothing short of scathing. “She’s never had time for her family. Too busy thinking of her fame on the London stage.”