As soon as Avaline returned to her room, she sent a message to Lord Nightingale. Belle chirped excitedly as she flew around the room. Avaline's quill trembled as she wrote. Effective tomorrow, she would be able to continue Delilah's education. Biting her lip, Avaline paused. Would Lord Nightingale approve of bringing her younger siblings? It doesn't hurt to ask. After asking, Avaline finished the letter.
With bated breath, she watched Belle fly out the window, message attached. Would he respond tonight? Then, another thought struck her. What if he refused? Or what if the twins didn't want to meet Delilah?
Avaline sighed. One thing at a time, she reminded herself.
However, it wasn't until early dawn that a chittering in her ear woke her. Avaline jolted up. Her neck creaked, and her shoulders pinched. She hissed. Rubbing her eyes, Avaline looked around. She was still at her desk. That's right. She remembered staying up late to work on the commission for Lady Margie.
Belle chirped again. Yawning, Avaline untied the note from her leg. She read the message once. Then twice. Then thrice. She wasn't dreaming. Lord Nightingale had agreed to her request!
Avaline patted her chest. Calm down. The bubbling euphoria in her chest brought a smile to her face. She shouldn't be this excited. It's the job, she told herself. Otherwise, what else could it be?
Unable to contain herself, Avaline got herself ready for the day. She could hardly wait until the twins got ready. Trying to distract herself, Avaline wrote a letter to Sister Tucker about the donations Lady Poppy had inquired about.
Avaline was the first to see the twins that morning. Lottie gave a startled cry as Avaline rushed out of her room. The maid gripped the water jug tightly.
"Pardon me," Avaline said.
"What's the rush, my lady?" she asked.
Smiling, Avaline grabbed the jug from her. "No rush. You can return to your other duties. I'll help the twins."
A few quick steps later, Avaline entered the twins' room. For now, they shared a room with a privacy curtain hanging from the ceiling between them. In the winter, the heating costs had gotten too high, so it was decided that the two would have to share a room.
Avaline tiptoed around and poured water into each water bowl on the bedside table. Waiting for them to wake, Avaline pulled the curtains open. Weak sunlight streamed in. The clouds were gone, but the puddles remained. The hedge obscured the lord's property on the other side.
Those outside Blackburry would never allow their property to be so close to someone else's. However, with the Mt. Rothwine in their backyard and the Hingris forest in between them, real estate was scarce.
Humming, Avaline busied herself collecting wooden toys off the ground. As she picked out the twins' wardrobe, the twins had started to wake.
"Ava?" Brian said. He yawned. "Why are you here?"
Avaline put her hands on her hips. "I can't visit without a reason?"
Anna smiled sleepily. "Vivi usually visits."
Scrunching her face up comically, Avaline tapped her chin. "Should I not tell you of the surprise?"
The twins giggled. "Tell us!"
Shaking her head, Avaline helped them wash their faces. She patted them with a soft fabric.
"How do you two feel about making a new friend?" I asked them.
Brian didn't look up from his paper. "I think it would be nice."
"Don't we have enough friends?" Anna asked. She brushed her hair slowly. "We can't keep track of everyone."
"She's new to town," Avaline continued. She handed Brian his trousers. "She doesn't have many friends."
Brian wiggled into his pants. "What's her name?"
"Delilah."
Anna put her brush down. "When did you meet her? Was she at Lady Poppy's tea party?"
"No," Avaline said. "I met her..." She could tell them the truth about the ball, but it was best not to. "Her brother told me about her."
"Oh," they said.
Avaline helped Anna out of her nightgown and into her slip.
"Delilah is new to town. Since this is her first time in Blackburry, I thought it would be nice if you could welcome her."
"I don't mind," Brian said. "Sister Tucker said we should always extend our hand to others."
Anna frowned. "I guess we can talk to her. Why are you suddenly asking?"
Avaline cleared her throat. "Well, I was thinking we could go over to her house today."
Anna plucked her dress from Avaline's hands. "Has Charles given you permission to go out?"
Avaline gaped at her. "Yes!" she said. "I'm not grounded anymore."
The twins giggled.
Fanning her face, Avaline helped them finish dressing.
"Let's go greet, Mother," she said. "Then we can see what Marco whipped up today."
Even as their smiles wavered, the twins rushed out the door. Avaline smoothed her skirt down. It was best to take her siblings out to distract them.
***
The Nightingale carriage came early for them that evening. The sun bathed the horizon with purple, red, and orange. As they waited in the foyer, Elaine fussed about the twins' clothes. Avaline squeezed her fingers. The bubbling excitement had turned into nervousness.
"Remember your manners," she said, adjusting Anna's bow. "Speak politely."
"We remember," Brian said. "Don't tarnish our family name. Act with dignity."
"Have fun," Elain interjected.
Jonna walked in from outside. "The carriage is here."
Quickly, Avaline escorted the children outside. While the carriage was unmarked, she didn't want it to stay long enough for anyone to notice.
During the ride, Brian hugged his magazine about horses tight to his chest. Anna snuggled closer to Avaline.
"Delilah has her lessons first," she told them. "Then, she can play with you two."
"Okay," they said.
***
Mr. Timmons welcomed Avaline and her siblings as they arrived. Holding onto their sister's hand, the twins followed Avaline. They stared wide-eyed at the portraits and dark walls.
Avaline looked around. She had thought Lord Nightingale would welcome them as well....needless thoughts. Yet, she couldn't stop the disappointment from prickling her chest. Mentally, she scolded herself. She was here for a job.
Delilah waited in the playroom as they arrived. She jumped off the couch and skidded to a halt upon seeing the twins. Her eyes were wide. Anna and Brian rushed behind Avaline's skirt.
Sir Myla stepped forward, offering a bow.
"Shall we welcome our guests, my lady?" Sir Myla asked Delilah.
Delilah took a step back. "I, uh." She glanced fearfully at Avaline.
Smiling, Avaline curtsied. "Avaline Stark greets Delilah Nightingale. May Luna illuminate your path."
She glanced at her siblings. "It's your turn," she whispered.
Boldly, Anna stepped forward. Her face was flushed. "An-Anna Stark greets D-Delilah Nightingale."
Brian stepped forward with his eyes squeezed shut. "Brian St-Stark greets Delilah Nigh-Nightingale."
Delilah gripped her dress and curtsied. Words rushed out of her mouth. "Delilah-Nightingale-greets-her-guests."
Avaline pressed her lips together. She wanted to correct her, but it was best to leave it, she decided. It was cut that the children were nervous. That's how friendships were formed after all.
To her surprise, Delilah rushed forward. "Come see my toys," she said. She grabbed the twins' hands and pulled them forward.
"Careful," Avaline said after them.
She and Sir Myla followed them toward the corner where Delilah kept her box of toys. As Delilah chatted excitedly, she took out her block and even a wooden horse. Brian's eyes widened.
"I don't think Delilah will take her lessons today," Sir Myla said with a twinkle in her eyes.
Avaline crossed her hands, watching the children. "I agree. Perhaps we'll focus more on reading today than on etiquette."
Sir Myla nodded. "Good choice."
***
As the ending of the second hour neared, Anna dozed on the couch as Delilah and Brian eagerly looked at the majestic four-legged animals on the page. Avaline sipped her tea on the opposite couch, occasionally correcting their pronunciation and diction.
"When I grow up, I'm going to be a horse rider," Brian said. "Father was one."
"Brother has a whole stable of horses," Delilah said. "Maybe we can go visit them one day."
Brian swirled around toward Avaline. "Can we, Ava? Please?"
She smiled. "I'll ask for permission."
Horseback riding was essential for young lords. Though Brian was too young, it was best if he learned how to take care of horses now.
Mr. Timmons knocked on the door and entered. "Lord Nightingale is requesting your presence, Lady Stark."
Trying to hide her smile, Avaline placed her cup down. "Sir Myla, would you look after them for me?"
"It would be my pleasure, my lady."
As Avaline followed Mr. Timmons, her nervousness resurfaced. Her thoughts flashed to their small escapade the other night, and her cheeks flushed. What did he want to speak to her about?