Page 60 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
Ava thought about it and then looked up at Luke. “Go ask your governess if she would give you a break to see your friend or have the lesson outside.”
“Thank you, Mama!” Luke called out, running away to speak to his governess.
“It’s so wonderful to see you, Edith,” Ava said as she led Edith inside.
“It’s wonderful to see you too,” Edith said warmly.
“Come, come, let us sit in the parlor. Then, the children can go and play,” Ava urged.
Once in the parlor, Anthony immediately gravitated to what Edith thought was a large, furry ginger cushion. But when he scooped it up, it was clear it wasn’t a soft cushion, but a cat.
“Pudding is still doing well, then?” Edith asked Christian.
“Oh, more than well.” He laughed. “I dare say he’s become rather plump on tidbits.”
Pudding yawned gently in Anthony’s arms before licking the little boy’s hair, making him giggle.
“Pudding! Stop!” Anthony protested but refused to put the cat down.
“Let me hold him,” Tilly demanded.
“Hey, wait, be careful with him,” Luke cautioned, running into the fray.
Ava laughed and gestured for Edith to follow her to the parlor. Edith smiled and moved to sit with her friend on a cushioned sofa.
Ava let out a soft sigh of relief as she sat down, her pregnancy having progressed since their last reunion.
“You’re doing well, considering your condition,” Edith noted with a warm smile.
“I do not feel it,” Ava groaned.
“Really? You are running the estate, caring for your children, and appearing respectably at public events while in this state. Ava, I frankly envy your stamina,” Edith admitted.
“Oh, I think you are overestimating my abilities. And truly, I couldn’t do any of it without Christian,” Ava said, nodding at her husband, who was currently trying to keep the children from stuffing Pudding into a boot. “The only thing between this estate and chaos is often his patience.”
“Well then, it is good that he seems to have an endless supply of it.” Edith grinned.
“I’ll say.” Ava laughed. “Although I think he is secretly pleased that I have had to turn down the invitation to Lady Elmire’s ball.”
“You won’t be coming?” Edith asked, aghast.
“No, I am not feeling my best to attend an event this week.” Ava smiled weakly.
“Well, I will be forced to suffer through it without you,” Edith groaned.
“Fear not, we will be at Fairfax Estate for their ball next week.”
“I should hope so! There are only so many events I can survive without my friend.”
Ava laughed. “Oh, my dear friend, you never fail to lift my spirits. Now, enough about me. How have things been between you and the Duke of Alderbourne?”
Edith’s shoulders tensed, and her hands fisted into the skirt of her dress.
Ava noticed the change and looked at her with concern. “Edith?”
Edith shook her head. “I wish I could say things were going better.”
“I suspected as much when you came here today,” Ava said gently.
