The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo Page B

me. After all, wasn't that why he was here? I thought of the conversation I’d overheard at the Vyne the previous afternoon, a man's murmured reply to Mrs. Parrot. Could it have been Daniel? Was he what he seemed, or was he, too, after the diary, as I suspected Mrs. Parrot must be?
    The sun had risen enough so that it was faintly visible on the eastern horizon. I watched the dawn bloom into fullness and stayed where I was, my hand on the diary, my gaze on the line of trees across the way.
    I dare you to make a happy ending out of this mess, Jane Austen.
    Talking to myself, or more specifically to a long-dead author, wasn't going to get me anywhere. Time for a shower and a strong cup of tea, because the new day that awaited was likely to be as complicated as it would be long.

CHAPTER TEN
    M imi didn't appear at breakfast that morning. Tom joined us a few minutes later, and I noticed he had dark circles under his eyes. When Mrs. Parrot entered the dining room, she also appeared a little worse for the wear. She had painted an extra layer of rouge on her cheeks, which clashed with her orange hair.
    Ethan was the last one to arrive. He was staying at his own house but eating his meals with us.
    He pulled up a chair to the end of the table where I sat. “Mind if I join you?” he asked.
    What could I possibly say? No, because you’ve been ruining my sister's reputation?
    “Please do.” I forced myself to make conversation. “Are you looking forward to today's walk? You’ve probably already been to Chawton Cottage.”
    “I think each time I visit there is like the first.” His smile was almost dreamy. “This is turning out to be a week of firsts.”
    I paused and bit my lip. Was it possible I had misjudged him? Maybe he really liked my sister. Maybe he had fallen for her.
    A waiter appeared to take our order for the hot breakfast, and Ethan ordered the full English. I contented myself with poached eggs and toast.
    “You and Mimi seem to have hit it off,” I said, forgoing the subtle approach.
    He nodded and sipped his coffee. “Quite.”
    “Ethan—”
    He set his cup down and fiddled with the handle. “I know you’re concerned about your sister, but let me assure you—”
    “I’m sorry. It's none of my business, obviously.” I was not going to meddle. I was not going to be the reincarnation of my mother. “It's just that she's vulnerable at the moment.”
    “I understand. Losing your mother must have been very difficult for both of you. Mimi said she's ready to begin a new chapter in her life.”
    She was? That was news to me.
    “And you?” I asked. “Will you live in Hampshire full-time now that you have a home here?”
    “No, no. I’m a Londoner born and bred. This will be my base at weekends though.”
    Obviously I should have gone into whatever Ethan did for a living. “So not a new start then.”
    “Well, not in terms of living arrangements.”
    “So what's this new life Mimi's about to start?” I asked him. “A sister is always the last to know.”
    Ethan looked a bit uncomfortable. “Perhaps she would rather tell you herself. She did say that your mother's legacy would allow her to start a new venture. One she's dreamed of for some time.” He frowned. “But surely you know that.”
    “You mean her store?” She’d talked about it for years, quitting her job with the large department-store chain in Atlanta and opening up her own boutique. “Yes, I guess it's possible she might—”
    “I’d say with that sort of money, it's a great deal more than possible.”
    “What sort of money?”
    Now Ethan looked very uncomfortable. “I don't normally discuss personal finances, but Mimi was very…forthcoming last night. About the value of…your mother's estate, if you see what I mean.”
    Oh, I saw what he meant, all right. Our mother's modest estate had clearly taken on more epic proportions when she’d talked of it with Ethan. Mom only had a little in savings, and the house wasn't worth all