Edward’s mouth curled into a sneer.“I don’t see as that’s—”
“Believe me,” Piers said in the quiet, definite tone that had reduced the most unwilling undergraduates to submission, if not downright diligence, “this is no debate.Merely instruction.There will be no fraternizing, romantic or otherwise, with female members of staff.You will show every respect to your betters, and there will be no more sprawling about in the kitchen while the maidservants do all of your work.Do you understand me?”
“Your lordship is quite—”
“Do you understand me?”
Tight-lipped, Edward straightened.“Yes, my lord.”
“Then you may remain in this house for the time being.Run along.”Piers returned to contemplation of the view from the window, aware of Edward’s slightly stunned stillness.After a moment, the door opened and closed again.
Piers hoped it was enough.
***
PROFESSOR JULIUS ALGERNONhad not expected to enjoy his chat with young Lady Petteril.When he had sat down beside her to make conversation before luncheon, he had had two purposes in mind.Firstly, to show her a little kindness after Claudia’s silly fuss yesterday, and secondly, to find out if she was remotely capable of taking care of Piers Withan.
Her background was still a mystery to him, but she was clearly bright enough, for she saw at once what he was doing.Not that she was crass enough to tell him so, but he saw the understanding in her eyes—without resentment, too, only approval, as though she was glad to discover her husband’s friends cared for him.
She was not learned, of course.Very few young ladies were, but the viscountess was naturally witty, and if asked for her opinion, she thought before she spoke and was quite happy to ask for further information.She never looked bored or cornered or remotely intimidated.In short, he liked her.
When he asked delicately how her husband was coping with his duties as viscount, she replied, “Very well.It was hardly his choice, of course, but he enjoys the challenges.”
The professor’s worst fears—that Piers had married this girl from sheer desperation or loneliness, or, worse, her own grasping machinations—were left in tatters and he was very grateful for it.There was something very likeable about her.And Piers, while watchful of her, did not fuss or cling.
That was good enough for the professor, so by dinner time, he was able to observe other things.Like Hubble’s unconscious frown at unexpected moments.Like Claudia’s slightly hectic manners, which seemed to have been upon her since they arrived.
The bold footman bent just a little too near as he served her.And Claudia, who should have either waved him back or ignored him, actually turned her head to smile at him.The professor was shocked, until he realized that in all probability, she was actually looking at Joe Hale, who had sat back in his chair to laugh at something Lady Petteril said on his other side.
Algernon was almost surprised by his own relief.He must have unsuitable and unequal relationships too much on his mind.
After the ladies had withdrawn, with the atmosphere more subdued than last night—thanks to the men’s over-indulgence—Algernon found it easier to gain a quiet word with Withan.
“I must say, I do like your viscountess, Withy.Charming and intelligent, both.And kind, I’m glad to say.”
Withan inclined his head, making no comment.Perhaps he was waiting for abut.
“Actually, I wanted to apologise on Claudia’s behalf,” Algernon said hastily.“I don’t know what got into her, but I hope she hasn’t given Lady Petteril a dislike of her.”
Withan blinked.“You said something like that last night, too, but I can’t imagine how she would.”
Algernon peered at him.“Are you being polite?Or did the viscountess not tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“Claudia made some remarks about her allotted bedchamber yesterday, finding fault without reason.Not like her, but not forgivable either.I made her back down, of course, and Lady Petteril was kind.Claudia should have apologised by now, but I wanted you to know it was nothing more than an instant’s ill-nature, nothing more important or deliberate.”
Withan’s eyes gave nothing away.Very often, they didn’t.It came back to Algernon in a rush how often Withan had fooled him with that look.At first he had thought it betrayed a lack of understanding, then disagreement or even boredom.But it didn’t.Or not necessarily.Withan merely kept his thoughts to himself unless or until he chose to speak them.
“I’ll pass your words on to April,” he said at last.
***
IN THE DRAWING ROOM, meanwhile, April was quite surprised when Claudia Algernon chose to sit beside her on the sofa.Some distance away, Meg was admiring Mrs.Hubble’s needlework.
“I apologise,” Claudia said abruptly.“For yesterday.I made a silly and unwarranted fuss about the bedchamber.I regret it.In fact, it is a lovely room.”
April, who rarely bore grudges, smiled at once.“I hoped you would think so.It’s quite an odd situation, isn’t it?Living in a house none of us has ever seen before.Things should run more smoothly now that more staff have been brought in.One should be able to order a bath now without too much difficulty!”
