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“A fine idea,” Mr. Moon agreed, then the Moons, Emma, and Livvy made their way through the lashing rain, arms up to shield their eyes until they reached the inn.

Once inside, much to Livvy’s dismay, she had to release her hold on August as he and Mr. Moon went to the front of the inn, asking for rooms with the rest of those from the Mount who’d been unable to leave for home.

Portia and Ophelia folded their arms and frowned fiercely as they waited, not bothering to speak with anyone at this point in the evening. Livvy didn’t mind. At least they weren’t attempting to make her feel ridiculous for reading in the bushes again.

In a matter of minutes, the men returned with one room key, and Mrs. Moon hesitated. “One room, me dear?”

Mr. Moon’s smile—so like his son’s—did not fade. “Yes, I be afeared so. There was only one room left in the entire inn, so ye ladies can take it. August and I will stay down ’ere.”

“’Eavens, that filled up swiftly,” Mrs. Moon breathed.

“Many on the mainland chose to stay ’stead o’ bravin’ the roads,” Mr. Moon explained.

Portia scoffed. “As if they should be served first.”

“Well, they were ’ere first,” August said.

Livvy knew by the twinkle in his eye that he was teasing his sister. Whether Portia was aware of the fact or not was beyond her, as his sister merely folded her arms and looked away.

August glanced to Livvy, who smiled at his teasing instead.

“’Ow are we to sleep on the beds ’ere?” Ophelia asked next. “They be so discomfortable, Mother.”

“Cease your frettin’,” Mrs. Moon said. “We’ll make do.”

Livvy admired the woman’s positive nature. How far her daughters had fallen from their parental trees.

“Miss May!”

Livvy turned at the sound of her name spoken by a voice she knew all too well. “Mrs. Otter’am,” she greeted with a broad smile, shifting her eyes between the elderly couple. “Mr. Otter’am. I be that glad to see ye again.”

The couple appeared just as wet as the rest of them who’d been standing out in the rain, though Livvy hadn’t seen them before, no doubt due to the darkness.

Despite her sodden appearance, Mrs. Otterham still smiled. “Did ye enjoy all your dancin’ this evenin’? We ne’er saw ye rest, what with ’ow many men wished to dance with ye.”

Livvy’s cheeks warmed, and she averted her gaze from August. Was he aware of how many men she’d danced with? Did he care?

Clearing her throat, she stood to the side. “I did ’ave a fine evenin’, thank ye.” Keenly aware of the eyes upon her back and the silence between the Moons and Emma, Livvy turned back to the others. “Forgive me, allow me to introduce to ye all me friends, Mr. and Mrs. Otter’am.”

After the introductions, the families spoke for a moment together. Mr. and Mrs. Moon, August, and Emma were as gracious as ever, while the Moon daughters yawned on with clear boredom.

Mr. and Mrs. Otterham didn’t seem to notice, fortunately, as they carried on their conversations until a loud clap of thunder rattled the walls of the inn once again.

“This do be a fierce storm this evenin’,” Mrs. Otterham said, her smile faltering. “I do ’ope ’em cows’ll be fine.”

“They’ll be fitty, me love,” Mr. Otterham said. “We’ll see ’em bright and early in’t mornin’.”

Livvy faced them more directly. “Will ye be stayin’ the night, as well, then?”

Mr. Otterham nodded. “We were just about to ask for a room for the both o’ we.”

Livvy’s heart dropped. They hadn’t received a room yet? “Oh…” She glanced warily at the Moons. “I be afeared they’ve all been taken. We…we received the last one.”

Mr. and Mrs. Otterham exchanged concerned looks, then Mr. Otterham shrugged. “Well, I s’pose we’ll be swappin’ stories in front o’ the fire tonight, me love.”

Mrs. Otterham smiled, though worry still clouded her eyes as she lowered her voice. “But your back, Brae…Sittin’ in ’em chairs all night, what’ll it do to ye?”

“Ah, bother. Don’t ye worry ’bout it.”