Whitfield shook his head, laughing again. “I’m not at fault. I heard her brother-in-law has come—without warning or invitation, I might add. She’s with him now.”
“I hope it is nothing serious.”
“I wouldn’t know or dare ask her. But I know Rebecca’s not on the best of terms with them, so I hope he goes away soon. Jessica is not happy about the delay. Her grace has held back the start of the wedding breakfast on account of Rebecca’s absence.”
Adam cursed under his breath. Damn the Warner family. They were keeping Rebecca from having any fun. That was not right. “That reminds me, I’d better go fetch my daughter before she thinks I’ve forgotten her. Excuse me.”
Adam left the guests, but instead of fetching Ava straight away, he prowled the manor instead, dodging servants who were rushing to set up the rooms for dining.
He found Rebecca sitting alone with her head in her hands.
It looked like Mr. Warner had already gone. Concerned, he stepped into the room and closed the doors behind him.
Rebecca must have heard him because she lifted her head. Her smile was tentative. “What are you doing here?”
“I was on my way up to fetch Ava and saw you sitting here alone, so…”
Her brow rose. “Ava is upstairs, at the other end of the house, Rafferty.”
He winked, and then swooped down to kiss her pretty lips in the hope of seeing her smile again. “The duchess is holding the wedding breakfast until you are free to join us.”
“Oh, I asked her not to do that,” Rebecca complained.
“Of course you did. But we wait for your company regardless.” He caressed her cheek. “What did Peter Warner want with you that makes you look so sad?”
She drew back, frowning. “I’m not sad.”
And still, she shut him out. “I’d never tell anyone what you said to me in confidence. I’d take your secrets to the grave.”
She smiled quickly. “There really is no great secret to share. Peter is on his way to London and came to say hello. He said he felt it was his duty to call on his brother’s widow. He spent barely twenty minutes with me, and then he decided to continue on his way.”
“Perhaps he did not want to delay your return to the party?”
“I’m sure that was it.” She stood, hands spread wide. “I really don’t mind such a brief interruption.”
“You’re not close then?”
“We haven’t spoken in nearly two years. I haven’t even met Peter’s wife.”
Men did not visit women they did not like—not unless they wanted something from them. Adam was perplexed by her account of the visit. “He sounds like an odd fellow,” Adam said eventually, and then held out his arm. “The party a
waits you, madam.”
“Yes, true.” She looked at his arm and shook her head. “It was kind of you to worry about my whereabouts but shouldn’t you collect your daughter now?”
“Ah, yes. Ava will never forgive me if I forget her.”
“I wouldn’t forgive you, either,” she warned.
Adam laughed and stole one more kiss. “I shall go and fetch my daughter as my lady commands then. See you soon.”
Adam rushed upstairs to the nursery, where Ava would no doubt be looking out for him.
Instead, he found her standing in the center of the large room, clutching a handful of papers and with her arm outstretched. “Turn now,” she cried, and the children hurried to do her bidding—some with disastrous consequences.
Some of the children were very young and very uncoordinated. Soon they were laughing so much, most toppled over. Ava stood in the center of it all, hands now planted on her hips. She ordered them all to get back up and try again.
Bemused by his daughter’s behavior, Adam watched in silence for several minutes. Ava had clearly found her feet on this visit. The twins had her surrounded but they did not seem at all dangerous to her. He was glad because she might be seeing more of the pair very soon if he had his way.