“Sometimes I get a bit muddled,” Mabel added, almost to herself. Her laugh followed, light and quick. “Silly, isn’t it? It’s a good thing Charles handles me, in addition to all the matters of the estate. So I don’t worry.” She waved a hand, dismissing it, though her eyes drifted to the window.
Lauren offered more tea, keeping her tone easy. Mabel accepted with another thank-you, settling deeper into talk of gardens from her youth and recipes long forgotten. Something lingered like a half-heard note, but the fire’s glow smoothed it over, for now.