When she left his room, Serena found Ella waiting in the corridor.
“They’re almost here,” Ella said. “I saw a carriage on the drive from my window.”
Serena’s heart lurched. “Already? I thought they were not expected until this afternoon.”
“Apparently, they decided to arrive early.” Ella’s voice was carefully controlled, but Serena could see the tension in hershoulders, the wariness in her eyes. “Uncle Nate is in the entrance hall. He asked me to fetch you.”
“Thank you, Ella.” Serena smoothed her skirts, took a deep breath, and prepared herself for battle. “Let us go and greet our guests.”
They descended the stairs together, Ella walking beside Serena with the rigid posture of a soldier going to war. In the entrance hall, they found Nathaniel already waiting, dressed impeccably in a dark coat and pale waistcoat, his expression a careful mask of cordial welcome.
He caught Serena’s eye as she approached, and for just a moment—just a fraction of a second—the mask slipped. She saw the fear beneath, the determination, the love he was trying so hard to hide.
Then the moment passed, and he was Lord Greystone again, cool and composed and every inch the marquess.
“Miss Collard,” he said formally. “Thank you for joining us. I trust the children are prepared?”
“They are, my lord. Miss Ella has been very helpful in ensuring everyone is ready.”
“Excellent.” He turned to face the door as the sound of carriage wheels grew louder. “Then let us welcome our guests.”
The door swung open, and the Cranes swept into Greystone Hall.
Lady Crane was exactly as Serena had imagined her—tall, elegant, with sharp features and sharper eyes that seemed to miss nothing. She wore a travelling dress of deep purple that somehow managed to convey both wealth and disapproval, and her mouth was set in a thin line that suggested a lifetime of finding things to criticise.
Sir Harold followed his wife like a shadow, a portly man with a florid face and the air of someone who was accustomed to agreeing with whatever his wife said. He looked uncomfortable, Serena thought—as though he knew this visit was not merely social but did not entirely approve of what his wife had planned.
“Lord Greystone.” Lady Crane’s voice was cool and exquisitely modulated, devoid of warmth. “How obliging of you to receive us.”
“Lady Crane. Sir Harold.” Nathaniel inclined his head with punctilious courtesy. “Welcome to Greystone Hall. I trust your journey was not unpleasant?”
“The roads were passable.” Lady Crane’s gaze moved unhurriedly about the entrance hall, cataloguing each detail—the gleam of the marble floor, the placement of the flowers upon the side table, the immaculate livery of the footmen at attention. “I see you have exerted yourself in anticipation of our arrival.”
“We are always prepared for guests, Lady Crane. Greystone Hall has long prided itself on its hospitality.”
Something flickered across her expression—amusement, perhaps, or disdain. “Indeed. I remember it well from my visits during Eleanor’s lifetime. She kept a very handsome house.”
The mention of Eleanor—the late marchioness—fell like a stone into still water. Serena saw Nathaniel’s jaw tighten almost imperceptibly before he answered.
“Eleanor was an excellent mistress of this household. I have done my utmost to maintain her standards.”
“Have you?” Lady Crane’s eyes swept over him, cool and appraising. “We shall see.”
Then her gaze settled upon Serena.
“And who might this be?”
The question was addressed to Nathaniel, yet Serena felt its weight settle squarely upon her. She straightened, lifted her chin, and met Lady Crane’s scrutiny without wavering.
“This is Miss Collard,” Nathaniel said. “The children’s governess. She has been with us several weeks and has proved invaluable to their education and general management.”
“Miss Collard.” Lady Crane lingered faintly on the name. “How very… young you appear.”
“I am four-and-twenty, my lady.”
“Indeed. And your qualifications?”
“I have served as a governess for four years. Prior to my engagement here, I was employed by Lady Ashworth of Bristol—who, I believe, is acquainted with Sir Harold’s family.”
