Page 110 of Echo in the Wind

Freddie piled a plate high with food from the sideboard and joined her. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about Polly anymore.”

Tillie brought her eggs and ham to the table. The footman poured her a cup of tea.

“And why is that?” Joanna inquired, concerned. “She is well, isn’t she?” Joanna had visions of her friend having suffered a relapse.

“Very well,” said Freddie, biting into a piece of bacon. “She is happily married.”

“It must be contagious,” said Tillie, lifting a fork full of egg to her mouth.

“Whom did she marry?” asked Joanna. “He must be someone who will care for her and the children. I couldn’t bear it otherwise.”

Freddie’s mouth twitched up in a grin. “I think you will approve. Remember when you asked Zack to watch over her?”

“Yes.”

“Well, he took your charge seriously. Zack is her new husband. She is now Mrs. Barlow.”

Joanna beamed. “Oh, that is good news. Zack will treat her well and she will make him a good wife. ’Tis a splendid result.”

Freddie returned her smile. “Yes, and he loves the boys and little Briney. And they him. Brilliant of you to think of it.”

“That was Providence, Brother, not my matchmaking. But I am pleased. We must visit them.”

Freddie gave Joanna a side glance. “I think Zack will be most interested to hear of your choice for a husband.”

“What would Zack have to do with the French comte?” asked Tillie.

“Oh, nothing,” said Joanna. “But since Zack and I are good friends, he will want to know the man I have married.” She kicked Freddie under the table. He fought a grin.

“Where is Aunt Hetty?” asked Joanna. “I have not sneezed once since I returned.” When she and Donet returned to his sloop in Le Havre, Franklin, the black cat, sauntered up to her and meowed loudly, rubbing his sleek black fur against her gown. She would have to tell Freddie about the marvelous cat.

Tillie said, “She went upstairs immediately upon our return, cat in hand, begging leave to rest. I think my Season quite wore her out.” Between sips of tea, she asked, “How long are you here for?”

“For a few days,” said Joanna. “My husband has three homes and three ships. For a while, I think he means to go between them.”

Freddie raised his brows. “Three?”

“I know it seems like a lot, but each has its purpose. He keeps a townhouse in Paris for his business with the government. Lorient is the home port for his ships. Saintonge is the site of his family estate where the vineyards are.”

“Vineyards?” asked Freddie with raised brows.

“He grows grapes for cognac,” said Joanna with a smirk.

Freddie choked on his bacon and grabbed for his tea. “Oh, that is rich.”

Joanna shot him a speaking glance. “For now, I think we are to make our home in Lorient. But we will come to The Harrows for Christmas, I promise.”

Donet appeared at the door. “I wondered where you’d gotten to, chérie.” He strode to Joanna. “I do not like to let you out of my sight for long.”

Tillie gazed at him admiringly and sighed. “I should like to have a husband like that.”

Donet kissed the top of Joanna’s head and asked the servant for coffee before taking a seat next to her.

“Is it all worked out?” she asked him, anxious to know. “Richard can be difficult.”

“I am never difficult,” said Richard, stepping into the room. “I am pleased you have been wed by an Anglican minister. As for the rest, the comte and I have settled things rather well.”

Donet accepted the cup of coffee and asked Joanna, “What would you like to do today?”