“What went on at these meetings?”
Mr. Stillworth tilted his head to the side, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t believe, my lord, that is a fit discussion for the dinner party.”
“Oh,” Lakehurst said archly. He raised his wineglass in salute to Mr. Stillworth. “Another time, then.”
Mr. Stillworth lifted his wineglass and bowed his head in agreement. “Another time.”
“Go to Baydon!” they heard loudly from the other end of the table. It was Mr. Tidemark in response to something said by the Duchess.
Everyone looked in their direction.
The Duchess saw she had everyone’s attention due to Mr. Tidemark’s outburst. “I was just telling Mr. Tidemark that after discussion with His Grace, the Duke of Ellinbourne, I recommend a Baydon Castle house party.”
“What!No!” Lady Darkford exclaimed.
Lakehurst reached over to touch her hand. They should have warned her. “Sh-sh. Just listen,” he said softly.
She looked at him, confused, but nodded shortly and looked back at the Duchess.
His grandmother smiled benignly. Lakehurst repressed a laugh.
“Yes! A trip of discovery, to dispel ghosts, and for Lady Darkford to feel good about being in company again.”
“Your Grace—” Mr. Tidemark started to protest.
“I know, it is a brilliant idea, isn’t it?” she enthused. “And I have the guest list all thought out for you. You and Mrs. Tidemark, Lady Darkford, her brother the Duke,” she said, nodding in Ellinbourne’s direction. “His fiancée, Ann, and her stepmother, Mrs. Hallowell, my grandson Viscount Lakehurst, my granddaughter Lady Guinevere, Mr. Stillworth, and now that I met him, I think we should extend an invitation to Mr. Farrow as well.”
“Oh, no, no, no!” said Mr. Tidemark.
“You don’t think we should include Mr. Farrow?” she asked quite innocently.
Lakehurst rolled his eyes. His sister raised her serviette to her lips to hide a laugh.
“That is not what I meant, Your Grace. I—”
“I know you are thinking about young Alex. I haven’t forgotten about him. I am planning a treat for him. I will take him with me to Versely Park for the summer. As we discussed just yesterday morning, London in the summer is not good for children. They need fresh air and to be able to explore nature. And companionship. It just so happens that this summer the vicar and his wife are taking in his older brother’s son while they travel on diplomatic business. Our vicar is the third son of the Earl of Wheaton,” she rambled on. “The middle brother—Charles—is with the foreign office. Poor man was born with a twisted foot so he could not join the military, but has done well for himself in the foreign office. He married Edyth Mann, you know, Baron Mann’s daughter. Two boys are of an age and will have a splendid time of it together.”
“No-o-o,” protested Mrs. Tidemark, her eyes wide. She shook her head so vigorously one of her hairpins flew out of her hair and landed on Mr. Farrow’s plate.
“No? No to what?” asked the Duchess, leaning forward.
Mr. Farrow carefully extracted the hairpin and set it by his sister’s plate.
“Alex must stay with us. Here, in London. We must stay here.”
“Why?” Lady Darkford suddenly demanded. “Do you not trust the Duchess?”
Lakehurst smiled.
“But, but…”
“But what? I think that is a splendid idea for Alex.” She looked at the Duchess. “He will go with you. Thank you, Your Grace,” she said formally.
“Surely you cannot wish to return to Baydon Castle,” Mr. Farrow said.
“No, I do not. I have had nightmares of the night Richard died. However, that is my son’s property and I need to set aside my feelings for the sake of his future.” She inclined her head. “And perhaps facing my fears will help stop the nightmares.”
The Duchess smiled and nodded at her. “Precisely my thoughts, my dear.”
