How was it that a person could be both fond of someone and yet detest them at the same time? As a child, I'd often thought of my younger sister as a pest. Adorable and entertaining at the best of times, but more often than not, she was a nuisance. How often had she tried to follow me about and I had tolerated her for a short time before sending her on her way?

As an adult, Phillipa had acquired the manners and sophistication of a lady. Sometimes she even behaved like one. Other times, however, all I could see was my little sister, angry that she didn't get her way.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" my younger sister demanded, pulling her gloves off. "I know travel can make a person dirty and tired, but you are staring as though I am some kind of apparition! It is very rude, and you should know better, Lucas!"

"I'm staring because you're supposed to be at Bywood Hall with our parents," I said, finding my voice. When I'd heard the knock at the door, I'd never expected to find my sister standing on the other side of it. "What are you doing here? How did you get here?"

She was doing her best not to look at me, twisting her head this way and that. "How does one get anywhere these days?" she asked, her tone dismissive. "You should really tell your housekeeper to clean and polish the wood in here. It looks so dull and dirty. I would be ashamed if my home looked like this."

The audacity! How dare she walk into my home and immediately start finding fault with everything? "I'm sure it is on Mrs. Wallace's list of things to do and she will handle the matter as soon as she can," I informed her tersely. "Mrs. Wallace doesn't need anyone, certainly not me, directing her every action. And don't think you can just avoid the question. How did you get here?"

Phillipa huffed, still not looking at me. "I traveled by mail coach, naturally. Why does it matter?"

"It matters because there is no 'naturally' about it. I know for a fact that our parents would never let you travel on the mail coach," I told her, unsure whether to be proud or concerned about her boldness. "Where is your maid? Did you run away from home?"
"I didn't run away from anywhere," she snapped back, giving me the briefest of glances.

"And I left my maid at home. It would have been impossible to travel with her and I didn't need her. You travel without a valet, don't you?"

"But it would have been safer for you to have someone with you," I felt obliged to point out. Couldn't she see the difference between us? Fair or not, as a gentleman, I had more freedom than a lady was usually granted. "Again, I cannot imagine either of our parents agreeing to such a scheme."

The truth dawned on me at that moment. "Do they have any idea of your whereabouts?" I demanded.

"Of course they do. I left a note when I left."

There were moments when I wanted to wring my younger sister's neck. How could she sound so...so nonchalant about the matter? "A note? Phillipa, did you sneak out of our parents' house? Why?"

Roughly, she tugged on the ribbons of her bonnet. "Good heavens, Luke, why must you sound so horrified? You cannot tell me you have never slipped out of the house without telling anyone what you were doing."

A few instances of doing just that flitted through my mind, but I pushed them away. It was hardly a fair comparison. "I didn't risk my safety by traveling in the mail coach. Certainly not to travel several hours away from home. What possessed you to do such a thing?"

"Fine. You might not have taken the mail coach, but you ran away to other countries when no one wanted you to go. So you cannot scold me for doing what I wished since you do it all the time."

If she had been hoping to get on my good side, she was failing miserably. "That's not the issue, Philippa. I didn't run away from home. My plans were well-known by everyone. You, on the other hand, apparently left without permission, and without telling anyone. That's the very definition of running away."

"I did not! I never run away from anything! I'm no coward."

"Well, I don't know what else you would call leaving as you have done," I informed her. "Leaving just a note? You must have terrified Mama! And she is only just recovering from her accident. How could you do that to her?"

The color was high in her cheeks and, though she glared, she was again not meeting my gaze. Something had happened. Something that she didn't want to tell me. Whatever it was, it had resulted in either hurt or angry feelings. A quarrel, perhaps? Who would she have quarreled with?

"Who will assist Mama with managing the household while you are away?" I continued. Perhaps I could reason with her on this point somehow and tease the information out of her. "Without Rosamund there, things must be more difficult to handle."

"Mama doesn't need any help from anyone, and besides, Jane is still there. No one will miss me."

I eyed my sister as she removed her short spencer jacket. Phillipa was not naturally quarrelsome, even if she provoked me more often than not. I wondered if she had disagreed with Jane on something. I knew my sisters had often argued when they were younger, but I couldn't imagine them disagreeing about something to the point that Philippa had felt it necessary to leave.

I was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Mrs. Wallace stood in the doorway to the kitchen, catching my attention. "Pardon me, Mr. Bywood," she said as soon as she saw she had my attention. "Do you want me to prepare a room for the lady?"

"Yes," Phillipa said before I could say otherwise. "I am Mr. Bywood's sister, Miss Bywood. And you are?"

Drying her hands on her apron, Mrs. Wallace bobbed a curtsy. "Ma'am," she responded respectfully. Then she focused on me. "Mr. Bywood?"

A tension that had been building inside me suddenly dissipated. She wasn't deferring to my sister or giving in to my sister's demands. "Yes, Mrs. Wallace. If you would be good enough to prepare..." I searched my mind for what bedroom was remotely presentable. "The South bedroom? My sister will not be staying long."

"Not long? At least a fortnight!" Phillipa protested, her voice rising. "You cannot turn me out after I came all this way!"

"How do you know I plan to be here for a fortnight?" I challenged. "You didn't ask about my plans before coming here. I could be about to depart for a friend's house for a month, and you cannot remain here alone."

"Well. Are you going somewhere?" was Phillipa's question.

I clenched my jaw in frustration. "No. But you could have asked before you showed up on my doorstep," I told her, trying to hold onto my patience. "That is my point. You haven't bothered to ask about my plans."

"Are you upset with me, Luke?" she asked, widening her eyes. Her voice took on a wheedling and sweet tone. "After I have come all this way to see you? Are you going to scold me?"

"I'm not angry. I'm just annoyed," I said honestly. Oh, no. Were her eyes welling up with tears? She wasn't about to cry, was she? "Philippa, please take a moment to think about this. Would you just show up at a friend's door without asking permission to visit first?"

She tilted her head, her expression clearing. "Of course not, but you are my brother. The usual rules don't apply when it comes to family. A sister has the right to visit her sibling whenever she pleases."

Thankfully, she no longer looked as though she were about to cry. However, her logic was immensely flawed. I gave up trying to reason with her. "Why don't you go into the sitting room for some tea while your room is made ready? You might feel more yourself afterwards."

A smile spread across Philippa's face. "Excellent. I am famished. Tea will be just the thing to revive me."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs. Wallace vanishing back into her domain. Good. She would do what she needed to do and we would all be better for it. However, I was left with my sister. Holding back a sigh, I gestured for Philippa to follow me. "I will show you the way."

As Philippa fell into step beside me, she remarked, "I didn't believe Papa when he said you had taken on a ruin, but now I see that he was right to be concerned. What were you thinking?" Her tone was light and cheerful as she spoke.

"It isn't as if I paid money for it," I objected. I already knew about my father' disapproval. He'd made himself quite clear in his last two letters to me. "earsend might not be as terrible as you think. It's actually looking much better compared to when I first saw it a month ago."

Thanks to the recent roof repair, there were no longer any leaks to contend with during rainstorms. That, combined with opening the windows where possible, eliminated the lingering musty odor that once plagued the house. Mrs. Wallace and her maids with their cleaning instruments had also been a blessing.

"It smells awful." Philippa scrunched up her face in disgust. "Who interviewed your housekeeper? I think she is not as competent as she ought to be. What kind of references did she provide?"

With frustration bubbling up inside, I grabbed her arm and pulled her to a halt in front of the staircase. "Philippa, you've only just arrived," I told her seriously. "You do not have the right or the knowledge to criticize the work of my servants. It is rude and I will not stand for it. Do you understand?"

With round eyes, Philippa stared at me. "I'm simply pointing out something that any trained lady would notice! It is—"

"A well-trained lady would refrain from mentioning it altogether," I interrupted whatever reasoning she was about to give. I let go of her arm, since I didn't want to be accused of being a brute. "Have you ever seen or heard our mother do such a thing?"

A flush spread across her cheeks. "No," she muttered, dropping her gaze. It was difficult to tell if she was being petulant or remorseful. "If I have offended you, I apologize. I will keep my opinion to myself unless it is asked for."

It wasn't much of an apology, but I would accept it nonetheless. How long would she be able to keep her opinions to herself? "How was your journey here?" I asked, since that was the polite thing to do. "It wasn't too tedious, was it?"

"Tedious? Not in the slightest!" And just like that, Philippa was her usual self, no hint that she had just been reprimanded. "I actually found it quite fascinating, although there was a bit of an unpleasant smell. One time, I was sitting next to a butcher and his wife! I am quite sure that the woman was carrying some kind of meat in her basket."

Our mother would be mortified, and our father would be apoplectic. I could only imagine the reaction of Philippa's fiancé if he found out about her encounters. If Philippa had any sense in her, she would tell none of them.

"The Mail Coach doesn't seem to make any effort to avoid the holes in the road," my sister continued, unperturbed by my lack of response as we climbed the stairs. "I don't think I have ever been so jostled about. How is it that roads are allowed to be so awful?"

"That is the price one pays when one travels on the Mail Coach." I'd done it a few times, and it wasn't my favorite mode of transportation. "We'll have to think of a different way to get you home. I don't have a carriage at the moment, but I may be able to borrow one."

Philippa let out a huff as she always did when she was annoyed. "Why are you so eager to send me away? I've only just arrived, and it has been so long since I last saw you."

"You arrived unannounced and uninvited," I reminded. "And less than two months is not so long. As you can see, there are still repairs being done to the house. I am not exactly in a position to be hosting guests at this point."

We'd reached the top of the stairs and I guided her to the door on the right. "So it is a ruin!" Philippa exclaimed, sounding positively gleeful. "I've never been in a ruin before."

"I hope it lives up to your expectations," I commented dryly. I opened the door for her and gestured for her to go first. "Tea will be up in a few minutes, I'm sure."

"Excellent! Now, you must tell me all about Bath and everything that happened while you were there," she declared, spinning slowly to take in the room. "I've always longed to go to Bath."

"I won't be having tea at the moment, Philly," I informed her, taking a step back. "While you refresh yourself, I will be writing a letter to our parents so that they know you have arrived safely."

I turned on my heel to do just that.

Behind me, Philippa stamped her foot. "Lucas!" she exclaimed. "Where are you going? You can't just abandon me like this. No proper host would just leave their guest alone!"

"Well, as you said, we can be more relaxed with propriety when it comes to siblings. This is my house and I can do as I please. I will be back soon enough to show you to your room if Mrs. Wallace is too busy to do so herself."

I pulled the door closed behind myself and then rushed down the stairs to avoid any further argument on the matter. Petty and immature? Absolutely, but I felt no shame about it.

Perhaps Philippa would learn from her actions if she was left to think about what she had done. Maybe she'd even work out that she'd made a mistake.

~*~

I'd barely put pen to paper in the library when the door swung open. "My apologies, I was not on hand to open the door," Alfred Pennyworth, my valet and butler, said as he stepped in. "I understand from Mrs. Wallace that your sister has come to visit."

Even though it wasn't posed as a question, I responded as if it were. "Yes. She took the Mail Coach and then..." My voice trailed away as I realized I didn't know how she had actually reached my door. The Mail Coach didn't go past Pearsend. "Well, anyway. She has arrived and intends to stay for a fortnight."

"Mrs. Wallace is distressed that she wasn't given any prior notice about this. She fears the lady will think ill of her for not having everything in order."

"She doesn't need to worry about that," I assured him. "I've already spoken to Philippa about...well, about how we're still trying to put things in order, and the staff is doing the best they can. She won't cause any trouble. If she does, she will answer to me."

Pennyworth made a sound that could have been interpreted as a laugh, but also could have been mistaken for a snort. "I see. I will attempt to reassure Mrs. Wallace on that point. And for how long should we expect Miss Bywood to remain with us? A fortnight, you said?"

"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure," I admitted. "I presume she will be here until my father demands she return home. Philippa wasn't specific about what her plan might be, but she mentioned something about wanting to remain for a fortnight. It wouldn't surprise me if she doesn't actually have a plan."

"Does the young lady make a habit of journeys like this?"

I paused before I answered. "If you would have asked me that two years ago, I would have said no. Since I have returned home, though, my siblings' behavior has surprised me. I don't think I know them well enough anymore to make a judgment on their behavior."

My absence had created such a change! George had married a lady I would describe as a harridan. He seemed quick to believe any negative assumptions about me, which was surprising. Philippa shifted between being pleased to see me and haranguing me about any action that I took.

Was it any wonder that I wanted to pull my hair out?

"Do you anticipate any other visitors Someone to keep her company, perhaps?"

The question caught me off guard. Could she have invited someone else? "I certainly hope not! If she has... I suppose I will just have to send them on their way."
Was it reasonable to expect me to follow a plan I'd had no hand in making. Absolutely not! However there was the problem that the only inn of any note was not the most respectable place. I'd hesitate to send any lady there.

Blastblastblast! I would be seen as churlish if I turned away anyone my sister had invited, and it wasn't my fault!

"I will advise Mrs. Wallace to open the Blue room, just in case," Pennyworth said with a firm nod. He moved to the window and peered out. "Has Mr. Walton been in today?"

Another surprising question, and I'd learned to be wary of such things. Leaning back, I shook my head. "I haven't seen him. Has something happened that is concerning or troubling?"

"He mentioned that he and Mr. Fenwick have seen signs of someone trespassing in the gardens. I'm sure he will bring you the details as soon as he has finished overseeing the work at the Little farm."

Exhaling, I straightened my shoulders. "Right. I completely forgot the carpenter was going to be out there today. Thank you for letting me know, Pennyworth. I'll keep an eye out for Mr. Walton this afternoon."

"Shall I lay out your dinner jacket this evening?"

With a shudder, I shook my head. "No. There's no reason to stand on ceremony just because my sister is visiting. When Mrs. Wallace, or the maid, sets the table, have them put the settings next to each other. It would be absolutely ridiculous to have me at one end and Philippa at the other."

Pennyworth nodded in acknowledgment and then withdrew from the room. I picked up my pen and began to write 'Dear Father'. but then paused. Despite my frustration with my sister, I didn't relish the thought of getting her in trouble or being the one to carry tales about her behavior. There was no getting around that my letter would do just that.

"She only has herself to blame for this," I said under my breath.

Steeling myself, I dipped the tip of the pen into the ink. At the back of mind, I suspected my father would find some way to blame me for this situation. After all, nothing I did was ever up to his standards and he seldom approved of anything I did.

"I was surprised this afternoon to have Philippa appear at my door. She informs me that she left Bywood Hall without notifying you of her intentions, but not why she did so. I am writing so that you know she is unharmed during her journey. As of yet, she has not told me why she came to me, but I will try to get that information from her...