“Your cottage is magnificent, Pearl.” Herbert stopped us at the edge of the lawn and looked back on my summer home. Genuine appreciation shone in his exquisite eyes. He was staying at Sherwood House for the season, with the Havemeyer family. While Sherwood House was a lovely cottage, I knew, with shameful pride, it could not compete with the grandeur of The Beeches.
“That"s very kind of you to say, Herbert. It is one of my father"s greatest joys.”
“Your father is a remarkable man,” he replied, looking down at me with those eyes. It was the best thing he could have said. The best thing he didn"t say was that he knew Frederick had been here and on more than one occasion. Did they both know the titter-totter they both sat on?
I lead Herbert to a teahouse, all four doors flung open. A silve
