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"Are you worried about what people will say?" she asked. "About the wedding, I mean, and Felix, and everything that has happened?"

Olivia considered the question for a moment before giving a small shrug. "Not particularly," she said. "I am marrying James because I love him, and tomorrow I shall do so in front of my sisters. No one else from the local gentry has been invited, precisely because I do not wish to stand before a room full of people wondering which of them is whispering about Felix."

Bethany nodded approvingly, while Olivia continued, "Whatever they choose to say in their own homes is their concern, not mine. They may gossip until they are hoarse if it pleases them. I have rather more important things to think about."

Bethany stared at her for a moment, then smiled. "You have grown so much."

Olivia raised an eyebrow, pretending offense. "Was I truly so dreadful before?" she asked.

Bethany laughed and shook her head. "You are spirited," she replied, her eyes gleaming with affection. "You were also forever prepared to fight anyone who looked at Louiza improperly."

Louiza smiled knowingly. "She still is."

Olivia folded her arms with mock dignity. "That sounds like a perfectly admirable quality to me."

Bethany reached for her hand and squeezed it. "It is. But you have learned that you need not fight every battle. You can simply ignore it."

Olivia's smile softened as she looked between her sisters. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I think I am finally beginning to understand that."

A burst of laughter came from the corridor, followed by the patter of small feet, and four-year-old Alexa appeared at the open door wearing a nightdress and clutching a wooden doll beneath one arm.

"Mama," she announced, looking directly at Bethany, "I cannot sleep."

Bethany sighed with affectionate resignation. "Of course you cannot."

Olivia immediately opened her arms, and Alexa ran toward her instead. "Aunt Olivia!" she cried, climbing onto her lap.

Olivia hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. "And what has kept you awake, little one?"

Alexa whispered conspiratorially, "I heard everyone laughing."

Louiza laughed. "That is because your mother has finally allowed herself to enjoy an evening."

Bethany watched them with a smile before glancing down at her stomach. "And soon there shall be another little one keeping me awake."

Olivia looked at her with delight. "You are truly going to have another baby? How greedy you are," she teased.

Bethany nodded, her smile becoming almost shy. "Yes. Robert is beside himself with happiness."

"I am so happy for you," Olivia said. "Alexa will make an excellent big sister."

Alexa immediately looked offended. "I already am a big sister," she declared. Bethany laughed. "Not quite yet, darling." Alexa frowned as though considering this injustice.

Another voice sounded from the doorway. "She has been telling everyone she is ready to be a big sister since Robert told her." Nadia stepped into the room, seventeen years old and carrying a folded shawl over one arm.

As Robert's younger sister, she had become a familiar presence in the household, and she smiled when she saw Bethany surrounded by her sisters.

"I thought I should rescue you all before Alexa wakes the entire house."

Olivia laughed. "You are just in time."

Nadia placed the shawl across a chair and looked at Olivia with open admiration. "Tomorrow is the wedding, is it not?"

Olivia nodded, suddenly feeling shy. "Yes."

Nadia smiled. "Then I think you ought to be allowed one peaceful evening before everyone begins fussing over you."

Louiza came to sit beside Olivia, and Bethany reached for Alexa, who finally surrendered to her mother's embrace. For a little while, the women simply talked, teasing one another, discussing flowers, dresses, babies, husbands and all the small details of their lives that had been interrupted by years of distance and family troubles.