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afraid James would have cancelled if he’d known.”
    A laugh escaped Hannah’s throat. Caroline apparently knew her brother well. “Aye, he would have. Jamie has been rantin’ ever since we returned home last night. He was still in rare form this mornin’.”
    “He’ll be fine.” Caroline linked her arm with Hannah’s. “We should head after them.” She gestured towards the riverbank with her head. “My Adam has a propensity for acquiring unacceptable pets when no one is watching.”
    “Lady Staveley!” called a matronly voice from behind them.
    Caroline stiffened at Hannah’s side. “I am in for it now,” she whispered. Then she glanced over her shoulder and flashed a wide smile at an elderly woman. “Lady Astwick! What a surprise to see you in the park this morning.”
    Lady Astwick? Was this another of Caroline’s schemes? Hannah’s blood ran cold and she nudged her new friend. “Did you do this?” she hissed.
    But Caroline shook her head. “Not even I am that foolhardy,” she replied between clenched teeth.
    “I understand you had quite the dinner at your home last night, Lady Staveley.”
    Caroline started towards the landau from which Lady Astwick held court. “I do have a wonderful cook, my lady.”
    “Not what I meant, and you know it.” The older woman gestured towards Hannah with one of her bejeweled hands. “Is that her?”
    Hannah straightened her spine and stood her tallest. “Am I who?”
    Lady Astwick retrieved a monocle dangling around her neck and placed it up to one eye. “The woman who ruined my son’s life. “ She looked Hannah up and down. “Aye, you’re her. Just as Harold described you.”
    Harold Peyton’s description? That could hardly be flattering. But before Hannah could speak, Caroline stepped closer to the landau. “My dear Lady Astwick, allow me to introduce a friend of mine. Lady Hannah Campbell, recently returned from the continent.”
    “I know who she is, Caroline Staveley. Were you not listening to me? Or are you trying to manipulate me into being docile?”
    “I would never attempt to manipulate you, Lady Astwick,” Caroline returned conversationally. “Just introducing you to my friend. How are you doing this fine day?”
    “Humph.” The old woman pounded her cane on the floor of her conveyance. “I am not one of those simple-minded men you can manage.”
    “Of course not,” Caroline agreed. Then she gestured Hannah forward. “This is the Marchioness of Astwick, Hannah.”
    “And you,” Lady Astwick continued, “are responsible for breaking my Chester’s heart.”
    Hannah gulped and shook her head. “I’m afraid you must be mistaken, my lady.”
    “I am never mistaken,” the old woman barked. “You’re the reason the Astwick title is in jeopardy.”
    “I don’t think that’s quite fair,” Caroline chimed in. “Lady Hannah is—”
    “Mama!” Ewan yelled, followed by several pairs of tiny feet running up the path.
    Hannah glanced back over her shoulder to find Ewan, Alasdair, and Caroline’s daughters darting towards them. “No runnin’,” she called to them.
    “But Adam found a snake,” Ewan protested. “Can we keep him?”
    Hannah blanched at the thought. “I doona think Uncle James would approve.” Nor would she, but it was much easier to lay the decision at James’ feet, especially as he wasn’t present.
    “Dear God!” Lady Astwick exclaimed, then cursed most vilely for a refined lady.
    “Adam does adore snakes,” Caroline explained on a sigh. “I think he mostly adores them simply to annoy his sisters, however.”
    But the string of expletives continued from Lady Astwick’s landau. Even after Hannah had spent a dozen years surrounded by soldiers, Lady Astwicks’s cursing was more than a little shocking.
    “My lady!” Hannah complained, but stopped when she realized all the color had drained from the marchioness’ face. The woman truly appeared distraught. “Lady Astwick, are you all right?” She