The afternoon in Greystone Dock was warm and sweet, and the smell of freshly baked yam bread lingered in the air as Lady Abena walked up to the Grantham residence. Her shawl was tightly wrapped.
"Good afternoon, Maeryn! Marianne!" she called, waving cheerily as she let herself into the sitting room.
"Ah! Lady Abena!" Maeryn rose with a bright smile.
"Come sit," Marianne added from the kitchen, her hands dusted with flour. "The tea's hot, and the gossip's warmer."
Abena chuckled and settled in with a dramatic sigh. "I was walking past the tailor's when I realized I hadn't seen your beauty in two days."
"She's fine," Maeryn said, raising a brow.
"Fine, but not here?" Lady Abena teased.
Before either woman could answer, a knock came at the door.
Maeryn opened it and stepped back in slight surprise.
"Lord Blair!" she gasped. "Come in, come in!"
Ewan Blair stepped inside with his usual reserved charm. "Good day, ladies."
