An instant silence fell upon the room, until it was broken by three voices speaking simultaneously
“Grandpapa!” Charlotte cried.
“Papa!” Aunt Kitty exclaimed, getting to her feet.
“Great-Grandpapa!” Susan shrieked.
Lucas also got to his feet, scraping back his chair as he did so. There was a swell of sound, though it died within moments. The Duke ofWilby was not the sort of man one mobbed or smothered with greetings or peppered with questions before he had had his say. He was also not the sort of man to use a butler to announce him in his own house.
“I see you have left me a cream cake,” he said, frowning at the table. “It is to be hoped you left one for Her Grace too.”
The duchess, wearing an enormous plumed bonnet, hovered behind him, looking over him from her superior height.
“There is another plateful on the sideboard, Grandpapa,” Jenny said, laughing. “You will not have to share the last one with Grandmama. Do come inside the room so that she can come in too.”
Everyone else took their cue from her, and there followed a great deal of noise and bustle as greetings were called, hugs exchanged, and space made for two more chairs at the table—though his grandparents looked more ready for their beds than for a celebration, Lucas thought. The butler appeared from somewhere, looking unruffled despite the fact that he had had to give chase to his employers instead of leading the way in orderly, stately fashion. He relieved the duke of his greatcoat and the duchess of her bonnet and gloves. His Grace sat down after Gerald had seated Grandmama, took one look at the cake Raymond had placed on a plate for him, pushed it away with an ungrateful harrumph, and demanded cold cuts of meat with some bread and butter. Aunt Kitty passed the message to the butler despite the fact that he had been standing a mere few feet away while His Grace spoke.
Someone asked about their journey.
“It is over,” the duke said. “That is all that needs to be reported.”
“It was really quite comfortable, thank you, Laura,” the duchess added, smiling at Sylvester’s sister-in-law.
The children, all speaking at once until their parents intervened, told the story of the kite launch. One of them explained how Uncle Luc had arranged for cakes and lemonade to be served herebecause he had feared they would all be tossed out of a tearoom if they turned up there unannounced and maybe get locked up in a dungeon somewhere.
Jenny assured her grandmother when asked that she was feeling well and was very much enjoying being in town. Gerald told his grandfather when asked that no, he was not staying here at Arden House but at his usual bachelor rooms on St. James’s Street. Lord and Lady Patterson agreed with the duke that yes, they probablyweresaints to have given up a morning to watch children flying a kite, but it had been worth every minute. Susan confessed to her great-grandmama that she had eatenthreeof the cakes but that she was not feeling even the slightest bit sick.
“Yet,” her father added.
“Andsomeone’smanners have been misplaced somewhere,” His Grace said at last, when the first hubbub of questions and answers had died down. He was seated beside Lucas and was peering directly across the table. “Present Her Grace and me, Luc.”
Lady Philippa was gazing back, a becoming flush of color in her cheeks.
“My grandparents, the Duke and Duchess of Wilby,” Lucas said. “Lady Philippa Ware, Grandmama and Grandpapa. And Lady Stephanie Ware, her sister.” He indicated the latter to their left.
His grandfather nodded to Lady Stephanie, frowning in thought. “Ware,” he said. “Ware.Stratton’s girls? No, he passed on a few years ago, I recall. I was sorry to hear of it. I have not met the new Stratton. Or not-so-new by now, I suppose. Your brother?” He was addressing Lady Philippa.
“Yes, Your Grace,” she said. “My mother and sister and I are expecting him and my sister-in-law at Stratton House any day now. They have been in Wales for a wedding.”
“I knew your father,” he said. “A jolly good fellow. He used tokeep us laughing whenever he gave a speech in the House of Lords. Some members thought it inappropriate to desecrate such hallowed halls with mirth. I found it kept me from falling asleep. I do not recall meeting your mother.”
“I do, though it must have been a long time ago,” the duchess said. “How do you do, Lady Philippa? And Lady Stephanie? I do remember that your mother and Kitty were dear friends. Your mama was beautiful and charming but with a far darker coloring than either of you. Your father was closer to blond, however.”
“This is your first Season, Lady Philippa?” the duke asked.
“It is, Your Grace,” she said.
“I daresay you are being mobbed by all the young bucks,” he observed. “It would be surprising if you were not. You certainly would have been inmyday, though that was long before you were even thought of.”
She laughed. “I was presented to the queen only a few days ago,” she said. “I have not been to any really grand entertainments yet. But I do not expect to bemobbedwhen I do.”
“Then you are in for a surprise,” he said. “I daresay your mother is well prepared to discourage any impertinence, however. She and Stratton, when he gets here, will see to it that you are married eligibly, according to your rank in society.”
“Papa,” Aunt Kitty said, signaling the butler to set the plate of cold roast beef and wafer-thin slices of bread and butter he carried before her father. “You are embarrassing Lady Philippa.”
“Embarrassing her by telling her she is lovely enough to attract an army of suitors even if she werenotthe daughter and sister of an earl?” His Grace asked.
“I am not embarrassed, Your Grace,” Lady Philippa said, though the deepened color in her cheeks gave the lie to her words. “I am flattered.”
