But today, they were at his grandmother’s door and eager to see the old dowager.
Her butler broke into a smile when he opened the door and saw who was standing on the other side of it. “My lord, it has been such a long time. A pleasure to see you.”
“Good to see you looking hale as ever, Watling. This is my wife, Lady Ardley.”
“I have heard nothing but raves about you, my lady. Seems you are a family favorite.”
Viola cast him a genuinely warm smile. “Why, thank you. That is very kind of you to say. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about you, too. It is a pleasure to meet you, Watling.”
The old butler’s smile was quite doting as he said, “The pleasure is all mine, my lady.” He then turned to Alexander. “Your grandmother hoped you would come by today. She is in the parlor with Lady Withnall.”
“Ah, I might have known. Those two are thick as thieves. What would a visit to London be without seeing that little termagant?” he jested loudly enough for Lady Withnall to hear him.
“Impertinent whelp,” she called back, thumping her cane. “You know I have the ears of a bat. Get in here so your grandmother and I can properly box your ears.”
His heart softened at Viola’s trill of laughter.
She had been devastated upon her father’s passing, and although she had tried to hold strong, he knew there was a vast emptiness in her heart over it. But she adored his grandmother and her companion in crime, and he knew these two old dowagers would help take away some of Viola’s sadness.
He knew the way to the parlor, having spent many happy childhood days here whenever his parents traveled. He and Gabriel were little devils, but his grandmother somehow managed to survive their mayhem. “Grandmama,” he said with affection, kissing her lightly wrinkled cheek.
In turn, she greeted him effusively, her eyes as bright as ever and twinkling. “Come have tea with us, dear boy. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’m hardly a boy, although I have not behaved like a responsible adult lately. With Viola’s help, I am here to amend that oversight.” London wasn’t far from Ardley, and yet he had made the trip only once for his parents’ anniversary ball this past summer. Prior to that, he had visited not above twice in the last five years.
His grandmother was not at all put out by his neglect, and instead showed him nothing but kindness. “Nonsense. We all struggle, at times. You are here now and this is all that matters. Viola, how are you, my dear?”
She cast the two ladies another of her genuine smiles that made the room glow brighter. “I am well, I promise. Your grandson is the best husband. Being back here with his family and dear friends is doing me a world of good.”
“We are glad to hear it, my dear,” Lady Withnall said with a kindness she reserved for very few people. “What are your plans while you are in Town?”
“We are having an early supper tomorrow night with a horde of Farthingale relatives,” Alexander said, accepting a cup of tea from his grandmother. “I suppose you have been invited, as well.”
The two dowagers nodded.
“Miss Swift has been invited, too,” his grandmother said.
“I’m glad to hear it. Viola and I arranged for them to meet Adela on our last visit this past summer, and it seems they are making some headway with the British Museum regarding her fossil finds.”
“I’ve heard a little about it,” his grandmother said. “It is slow going. The Duke of Lotheil has also been trying to help her. He was invited to dine with us tomorrow, but had a prior engagement and cannot get out of it. However, he has been quite helpful to Adela in making introductions to the museum and the Explorer’s Club. Unfortunately, the Fellows in the Royal Society remain firm in their refusal to accept a woman in their ranks. Lotheil is for it, but he is in the minority. Even as their chairman, he can do nothing to persuade the others.”
Lady Withnall nodded. “If Lily Farthingale could not move them, then I doubt any young lady will be able to crack those hard nuts. Well, perhaps it will happen years from now when we are all long gone.”
“I hope it happens sooner,” Viola said. “Adela is a nice girl and clever, too. But her family does not have the wherewithal to support her for another London season. She will be going back home after the holidays, and I expect that will be an end to her scientific dreams.”
“Not to mention her matrimonial aspirations,” Lady Withnall intoned.
Alexander’s grandmother regarded her partner in crime. “You know, Phoebe…we could take her on and sponsor her next season.”
Alexander groaned. “Grandmama, should you be meddling in the girl’s affairs?”
“Who is to help her if we do not, Alex?” She took a sip of her tea and then set her cup down. “Besides, now that you and Gabriel are well settled, what is there for us to do? Phoebe, we must make a list of suitable gentlemen for the girl to meet.”
Viola clapped her hands. “Yes, it is a wonderful idea.”
Alexander shook his head and groaned. “Oh, lord. I hope you have better luck with your lists than I had with mine.”
Viola laughed. “We did make some pretty bad choices for you, didn’t we? But I hear Lady Aurora is now married to Duke Nevins’ son, and Lady Charlotte will soon be wed to Lord Hythe, so the summer house party turned out to be quite successful for them.”
