“Thank you,” Lark said.
“The staff is also mourning the mistress of the house, so I cannot guarantee that tea service will come with anything other than tea.”
“That is fine. A cup of tea is all I’m asking for.”
“Under normal circumstances, Cook would send up some little cakes or sandwiches or something.”
“It’s really fine. I understand.”
“Let us just sit for a few minutes then, hm?”
“Yes. Let us sit.” And Lark did not mind the quiet one bit, not now that he was in the same room as Anthony again. He knew things would never be the same, that they could not just resume their relationship, but Larkcouldhelp Anthony now when he needed it. That was what one did for loved ones, was it not?
Chapter Five
“Are you sure this is appropriate,” said Louisa’s mother. They stood in the family’s sitting room as Louisa waited for Fletcher to pick her up to head to the opera.
“Mother. Fletcher and I will sit in the family box, well in view of hundreds of people eager to report any wrong move to the scandal sheets, and so Fletcher will act as he always does, which is as a gentleman.”
“You couldn’t go to the opera on a night when your future husband was available?”
“This is a one-night-only performance with this soprano from France, and Rotherfeld doesn’t like the opera much anyway. Fletcher has long been my opera companion, and no one has ever thought ill of him for it before. I don’t see why that should change.”
“You are engaged to Rotherfeld now.”
“As everyone ceaselessly reminds me. Yes, Mother, I am aware.”
“I suppose if Rotherfeld does not object...”
“He does not.” Likely because Louisa did not tell him.
“Then fine. But do not do anything to get yourselves in the scandal sheets. It would be terrible if your engagement to Rotherfeld ended.”
Louisa was not certain that was the case, but she nodded. “I promise to be on my best behavior.”
The Petty butler appeared in the doorway. “The Marquess of Greystone.”
“Show him in,” said Louisa.
Fletcher appeared a moment later. He was dressed in a dark blue coat and breeches, one of his finer suits, with a crisp white cravat and a white waistcoat with little blue flowers embroidered on it. He looked quite handsome, in fact, although as was his want, he’d combed his short hair away from his face instead of over his forehead, as was the mode. Fletcher would never be a paragon of fashion, but he wore a suit very well.
What a ridiculous thing to be thinking about a man she would not be marrying.
“Good evening, my lady,” Fletcher said to Louisa’s mother. “’Tis a pleasure to see you.”
“Take care of Lady Louisa tonight. Do nothing to jeopardize her engagement.”
“I would never,” said Fletcher, looking alarmed.
“Indeed.”
Louisa rolled her eyes. “Come, Fletcher. The carriage is waiting. We don’t want to be late. Some of us go to the opera toseetheoperaand I want to be there for the first note.”
In Fletcher’s carriage, Fletcher said, “What was all that about?”
“My mother is concerned that, even though you and I have attended the opera countless times without incident, me being seen with you will end my engagement.”
“Surely anyone who cares about such things knows about our sibling-like relationship.”
