A hen pecked at Lilith’s foot and she nudged the creature aside. “No need to get annoyed,” she said to the hen. “I know I do not normally come for your eggs, but I am nice, I promise.”

Basket slung from one arm, she ducked into the hen house, wrinkling her nose as the feathery environment made her nostrils tickle.

“You ladies have been busy.” She plucked up at least a dozen eggs. Thankfully there were plenty still to be had as the kitchen had none left and the cook would not be impressed if Lilith took them all.

She bid the chickens a good day and received another peck at her ankles as punishment for disturbing them. Pleased with her haul, she could not resist a little bounce in her step as she followed the path down past the formal gardens and toward the main road that led out of the estate. She heard a giggle and paused. A smiled tugged at her lips. Pressed against a tree was Catherine and her brother stood over her, a hand to her cheek. Even from here, she could see Thorney’s expression was soft. It was amazing what Catherine had done for her brother. Before they had married, he had been such a stickler for the rules and a bit of a bear to live with at the time. As much as she adored him, she had felt suffocated at times.

Catherine rose on tiptoes and gave Thorney a kiss. Lilith glanced away and walked on as a pang of envy rippled through her. How nice it must be to have someone to kiss and hold whenever one wished.

“Yoo hoo.”

Lilith paused at the sound of Catherine’s voice. Her friend raced toward her, skirts in hand. “Where are you off to?” she asked, breathlessly. “I swear I have not seen you in days.”

Lilith repositioned basket on the crock of her arm and nodded in the direction of the village. “I’m taking these to the orphanage. I was going to help bake today and they are sorely in need of food supplies.”

“Bake?” Catherine arched a red brow. “Since when do you make bake?”

Lilith lifted a shoulder. Very well so she had never baked before, but she could learn could she not? She was already learning plenty helping with the children there. “I thought I could at least donate some supplies.”

“You are spending all your time there. I have hardly seen you in days,” Catherine complained. “Thorne is heading to London this afternoon and will be gone for a week.”

“We will spend some time together soon, I promise. But you know the baby will keep you busy and I must not rely on you for entertainment at all times.”

Catherine propped hands on hips. “Now I know you do not consider volunteering at the orphanage as entertainment.”

“I’m not sure. It keeps me busy and I’m finding…well I’m finding I quite like being busy.” She eyed Thorney, who was heading back toward the house. “Did you tell him?”

Catherine grinned. “I did. I think he nearly fell over in shock. But he’s happy.”

“Good.” Lilith longed to embrace her friend and would have done had it not been for the eggs balanced on her arm. “You two will make wonderful parents.”

“And you will make an excellent aunt. I hope the baby will not have to compete with these orphans for your attention,” she teased.

Lilith shook her head. “You know the baby will be my priority, but I am enjoying feeling useful. I think this is the first time in my life that I ever have.”

Creases marred Catherine’s brow. “You are useful, Lil. You help me with running the house, and if it was not for you, I would be so bored when Thorne’s away.”

“That’s a lie. You have your sisters to keep you company.”

“Yes, but they all argue with me and boss me around. You are the only one who understands me, I’m certain of it.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.” Catherine pressed a hand to her chest. “No one understands poor little me,” she said dramatically. “And now my best friend is playing nurse and I have no one. What a life I lead.”

Lilith giggled. “I would suggest you come to the orphanage but there’s illness there at present and it would not be good for the baby.”

“I am not so foolish but please do not be like Thorne. He has already told me to go back to bed and I am certain when he returns, he shall ban me from doing anything at all as if I am some delicate flower in danger of wilting.”

“Well, you do need to rest.”

Catherine lifted her chin. “I’m feeling quite invigorated actually.”

“Don’t forget how sick Julia was in the beginning.”

“Well she is huge. I am certain it’s twins. Double the babies must mean double the sickness so I am sure I will not suffer like she did.”

“Either way, you must take care of yourself.”

Catherine rolled her eyes. “I will, I will. Now go have fun baking. Just do not bring any home.”

“You do not think I can bake?” Lilith perfected an offended look.

“I think you can do many things, Lil, but baking takes a certain skill.”

“I shall prove you wrong,” Lilith said with a grin.

“We shall see. Have fun!”

Lilith made her way to the orphanage with more determination. Very well, so she had never really baked or cooked or done anything like that before. But then she had not really done any nursing either. As the youngest sibling, she had always been looked after, especially by Thorney. And was she not excellent at looking after the children? Perhaps she would find out she also had a knack for baking.

Taking the path through the woods, she tried not to think about the recent attack that had happened and how Harry’s sister would insist she needed an escort. The attack had been a silly incident and did not put her in danger, but she could not help feel a little jumpy every time she heard a crack of a twig or a bird fluttering through the branches.

Basket gripped in both hands, she kept her gaze straight on. There was nothing to be fearful of and she certainly was not going to take the long route around simply because of one incident.

“Oh.” Her foot snagged. She peered down to see a long root twisting out of the ground like a snake. Shaking her head at herself, she slid her foot out from underneath the root. That had been close. If she had been going much faster, she would have—

A crack behind her had her heart pounding fiercely. She spun in the direction of the sound and several eggs spilled from her basket, smashing on the ground. As she scrabbled to straighten the basket and prevent any more spillages, her heel caught on the root and she toppled backward. Eggs dropped about her and the world seemed to slow. She heard them crack and saw the vibrant orange spilling about her. A loud thud echoed through her skull as she backward. Pain speared through her mind and body. She struggled to draw a breath while her thoughts clouded into a muddle before fading to darkness.