“My wife, Lady Luthrie,” said her lord, ignoring her remark. “Georgy solicits our kindness for her school friend, my dear, who happened to be visiting her when young Robert was called away. We are happy to welcome her, are we not?”
Quick to note the minatory tone, Apple held her breath, all desire to laugh quenched as Lady Luthrie looked her over. She inwardly cringed as that assessing glance took in her attire and rose again to her face.
Apple longed to run to the safety of Alex’s side and could barely resist the urge to look at him. But that would ruin their story in an instant.
At last Lady Luthrie smiled. It looked perfunctory to Apple, but the measured words were polite enough. “Of course. You are most welcome, my dear. I could wish Georgiana had sent to warn me, but I dare say it won’t incommode us.” She turned to her daughter. “Georgiana, has Mrs Herbert seen to Miss Greenaway’s comfort?”
“Yes, Mama, all is arranged. She’s in the room next to mine.”
“Very well. I will see Mrs Herbert and make sure all is in order.” Without warning, she turned on her son. “Alexander, I expected you long since.”
“Got delayed by a trifle of business, ma’am. Came as soon as I could get Georgy packed up.”
That Lady Luthrie was no fool became apparent. “Business that took you to London?”
To Apple’s consternation, Alex reddened slightly. But he did not flinch. “Private matter, ma’am. Nothing of importance.”
A gimlet gaze bored into him, and Apple could only be thankful it was not directed at her.
“Important enough to keep you from your home when your presence was particularly needed.”
“Can’t help that, ma’am. In any event, I’m here now, and at your service.”
Lady Luthrie sniffed. “Well, I dare say you may still prove useful.” She turned on her daughter. “Georgiana, I insist upon you taking a rest. Miss Greenaway will keep you company, I dare say. Alexander, I’ll see you in my study in ten minutes and we may go over what needs to be done.” Her tone softened as she turned to her husband. “I don’t presume to dictate to you, Charles, but if you have finished pottering about in your garden for the day, I would be glad to consult with you upon some of the arrangements for the festivities.” With which, she sailed out, leaving Apple feeling as if a strong wind had blown through the room.
Lord Luthrie’s glance took in all of them. “There now, we have all our instructions. Let us get to our duties, shall we? Appoline, my dear, I look forward to resuming our interesting conversation at a later date.”
Smiling upon them all, he left the room and Alex gave an audible sigh of relief.
“Phew! Brushed through that pretty well, I think.” He frowned across at his sister. “Gave me a bad moment there, Georgy. Must be more careful, my dear girl, or you’ll undo us all.”
“Oh, I am sorry, Alex. It’s Mama. She always unsettles me so that I can’t think and go saying the wrong thing.”
“Well, for the Lord’s sake, try and keep calm when she starts up. Can’t afford to let her guess there’s anything amiss with our story.”
At this Apple entered the lists. “I thought your father was going to find something amiss, Alex. He asks such penetrating questions. I hardly knew where to look.”
Georgy grabbed her hand. “Come on, Apple. I’ve got to go and lie down. Mama is quite capable of coming to my room to check that I’m resting.”
Alex barred their way. “Yes, but Apple’s in the right of it. My father’s as shrewd as they come. You’d best talk through the story and work out more details, the two of you. Then you won’t be caught out if he does resume his questions as he said.”
“Yes, indeed. Papa is so clever.”
Apple fell once again under the conviction that she should never have allowed Alex to insist upon her coming with them, but she forbore to speak of it. Alex would only become annoyed, and there was nothing to be done about it now, in any event. It was no use repining, for the thing was done and she must make the best of it.
Once ensconced in a chair by the bed in Georgy’s chamber, Apple did her best to keep that erratic damsel focused on the task in hand. Georgy had ordered coffee to be brought to the room, and the interruption when a maid arrived with a laden tray did nothing to help matters.
“Oh, will you pour, if you please, Apple? I must say I am surprised at Mama’s accepting you so readily, but I dare say it was because Papa introduced you himself. She always does what Papa wants, you must know.”
“You astonish me,” said Apple frankly, adding cream and sugar at Georgy’s request.
“Yes, but it is so. Of course I have no notion what she says to him in private, but Mama would never behave with impropriety, and I know she considers it’s a wife’s duty to support her husband because she gave me this huge lecture on the subject when I was going to be married to Rob.” She took the cup Apple handed her and sipped. “Oh, that’s so good. I do find coffee bucks me up.” She continued without a pause. “Charlotte says she was told the same thing as I was, but I doubt she had to endure as much of a scold, for Charlotte is a pattern card of proper conduct and she drives me mad.”
Apple could not help laughing. “I can’t say I am surprised to hear that.”
“Well, it’s true. I’m sick to death of having it dinned into my ears. Charlotte this and Charlotte that, until I could scream.”
Apple sipped at her own cup. “Was she held up as an example then? Mrs Hatherley was forever doing that with one of our girls, and I must say it made me cordially dislike her.”
