-3- Lady Winter Laughs

Lady Winter finished her breakfast and sipped her steaming cup of coffee, made from Jamaican beans that Chef Armand had personally roasted only that morning. She lifted a letter, her hand poised in midair, as sounds of heavy footfalls approached. Laying the unopened letter back down on the silver salver, she looked up to see who might be arriving. "Sir Harry Perkins and Lord Stanton my lady," Bentley, the butler announced and bowed as they entered.

They quickly crossed to the table as she stood up to greet her guests. "Lady Winter," they both murmured as they each, in turn, raised her fingers to their lips. "We didn't mean to disturb you coming by this early," stated Lord Stanton looking a bit uncomfortable at obviously interrupting Lady Winter's breakfast.

She hurriedly assured them that she was about to get up to walk outside to the garden. "It might be better if we sit down in the drawing room if you wouldn't mind transferring there?" she asked. They agreed and she led the way down the hall to the front of the house. Once there she turned and asked "To what do I owe this visit?"

Sir Harry piped up eagerly, "We wanted to take you and Lady Laura for a drive as Lord Stanton has just purchased a new carriage and a set of perfectly matched grays." His excitement was amusing to behold. He brushed back his blond hair from sheer nervousness. His entreating look reminded her of a puppy's.

Lady Winter hid her smile and turned toward the very tall, dark haired, gorgeous man standing right next to her. She had to bend her neck back to look into his eyes. What she saw there made her tingle from the top of her head to her toes. My, she thought he is still so handsome, even after these ten years of not seeing him. Was it possible he was even more handsome, she wondered.

Lord Stanton had recently returned from Jamaica where he owned land planted in sugar cane, which was harvested slave free. He was as rich as Croesus and could easily afford to pay his employees handsomely. Something in his expression told her he knew what she was thinking and she hurriedly looked back at Sir Harry, smiling widely and said. "You might not know it but we will be busy packing to be ready to journey to London tomorrow. We will be there for the season and must prepare for our departure."

But upon seeing Lord Harry's happy expression fall she said "We might be able to go for a short ride as long as we are back by two o'clock." His face immediately looked hopeful again.

Lady Winter moved toward the bell-pull and reaching out gave it a light tug. Within thirty seconds, Mary bobbed a curtsy and Lady Winter asked her to bring Lady Laura to her at once. The maid left in search of her mistress. Lady Winter laughed and her guests looked at her with a little surprise. Inwardly she was feeling alive and very well, indeed. Recovering her dignified poise at once she bade them "Pray be seated."

Meanwhile, Lady Laura was looking with curiosity at the handsome stranger who was in deep conversation with Uncle Simon. Something about their hushed undertones made her stay hidden behind the large live oak tree. Only the hem of her dress was visible. Even Alice was quietly watching. Suddenly she felt she was being observed and Laura turned away, only to miss the stranger handing a small silver box to her uncle.

And as cats often do Alice soon lost interest, jumped down and sashayed towards the kitchen. Chef Armand always had a treat ready for her, no matter what time she appeared. Nose in the air she walked languidly, her attention fixed on the smell of food.