As all the carriages embraced the gracious Winchester compound, Lord Winchester's mother who indeed fancied balls, she and her son stood hand in hand on the third-most step leading to the entrance of the mansion.
One could observe her nodding, smiling, and nudging her son with her elbow—all intended gestures. She needed to greet all the arriving guests and, certainly, offer them words of thanks and encouragement to enjoy themselves.
Far off at the last standing corner among the carriages, the Lancaster family stood, chit-chatting before making their grand entrance.
Andrew finally cleared his throat, certain that no other carriage would come, and led the way for his brother Christian, with their mother on his arm and Victoria rather far behind, as Christian offered his hand to her.
