Alex turned to his mother. “Why could you not confide in me, ma’am? Had I known of this —”
“My dear Alexander, were you not paying attention? The duchess insisted upon secrecy. She kept her room and used her former married name of Sutcliffe until the moment I presented her to Appoline.”
Alex’s mind flew to the interview now taking place across the hall. Consternation attacked him and his pulse speeded up. For two pins he’d interrupt, if Apple had not told him to leave them. What was the woman saying to her? From what Lady Mere had said, it seemed she was disposed in Apple’s favour. But secrecy and staying here incognito? She must be terrified of raking up the scandal.
He felt a touch on his shoulder and turned to find his father at his elbow, armed with a glass of red liquor, which he held up. Operating on automatic, Alex took it and looked round. He had not realised he’d paced across to the window.
“Drink it, my boy,” murmured Lord Luthrie. “It may serve to settle your mind.”
Alex drew a steadying breath. “Don’t think anything will do that, sir.”
But he lifted the glass to his lips and tossed off the wine. Then he looked about the room. His mother and Lady Mere had their heads together. Georgy was regarding him anxiously from her chair by the fire, and his sire remained at his side. He tried to smile.
“You’re always rescuing me, sir.”
Lord Luthrie laughed. “A father’s duty, my dear boy.” He turned at the sound of the door opening. “Ah, but this, I fancy, signals the end of your purgatory.”
It did not, much to Alex’s chagrin. Instead, the footman Matthew entered bearing a letter on a silver salver. He looked round the room and then fixed his eyes on Alex, who strode forward.
“Is that for me?”
“It’s addressed to Miss Greenaway, my lord.”
“Good God!”
Alex picked up the sealed note and looked at the superscription.Miss Appoline Greenaway. There was no means of knowing who had sent it.
“Who brought it?”
“A lackey, my lord. I do not know the man.”
Alex pocketed it, nodding at the footman. “I’ll give it to her.”
Matthew departed and the distraction of the little diversion faded. Alex crossed to his father again. “I’ve a good mind to go and find out what the devil is going on in there.”
“You can do no good by interfering, Alex. Have confidence in Appoline, my boy. She is a capable girl.”
Reminiscence lightened Alex’s gloom for a moment. “Yes. Be surprised if she don’t give the duchess snuff.”
Lord Luthrie laughed and seemed about to speak, but Alex’s attention became riveted as he heard a light footstep approaching the door.
The Duchess of Melkesham entered, leading Apple by the hand. Alex’s gaze focused on Apple’s face and he hardly heard the closing of the door behind them. She was looking dazed and a little frightened. He was all set to go to her when the duchess spoke.
“I would like to present to you all, in her rightful name, my daughter, Lady Appoline Damerham.”
There was silence for a space, and then, as it seemed to Alex, several people began talking at once.
“It’s true then!”
“Good heavens, Cordelia, have you run mad?”
“Oh, Apple, I’m so happy for you!”
“Go and speak to her, Alex,” came quietly in his ear from his father.
He needed no further urging. Crossing at once to Apple, he caught up her free hand. “Are you all right? What happened?”
She clung to his fingers. “I scarcely know. I feel quite bewildered.”
