She’d thought he’d loved her for her own appeal.
“…isn’t that right, dear?”
Katherine looked up to find Lady Havenstone looking at her expectantly. “Umm…yes?”
The woman nodded. “We all are. One never appreciates the comforts of home until sequestered in another’s house. But that all ends tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow is indeed a happy day.” Lady Mary sat two seats to Katherine’s right, at the foot of the table tonight. She must have outmaneuvered Miss Walker for that seat. She waggledher eyebrows at Katherine and gave her a significant look. “Tomorrow everything will be resolved.”
Katherine blinked. She turned her head to look behind her, but no one else was there. Whatever cryptic message Lady Mary had was intended for her. Perhaps she should have been paying more attention to the others during dinner instead of nursing her broken heart.
“I am resolved to never again attend a house party.” Lord Havenstone swirled his wine in his glass. “Especially during foul weather.”
“It hasn’t been so bad. If everyone was more willing to engage in the entertainment I suggested, it would have been even better.” Miss Walker toyed with her necklace. “I, for one, will be a bit sad on my departure tomorrow. It will well and truly feel like Perrin is gone.”
“And good riddance,” Havenstone muttered.
Mr. Withers dropped his fork on his plate with a clatter. He leaned back in his chair. “I am most eager to return home, though I’ll miss Miranda, of course.”
“Miranda?” Lady Mary’s forehead wrinkled. “Bertram….”
“Lady Perrin is dead. For many years.” Miss Walker slammed her glass down on the table. Wine sloshed over the rim onto the tablecloth. “I don’t know why you men can’t remember that. She wasn’t a saint.”
Lady Mary looked at Miss Walker as though she were something unmentionable in the gutter. “Everyone is aware of her passing. I’m certain Betram only meant he’ll miss all the memories he has of his sister in this house. A house which she managed so well. A house, and those in it, that loved her.”And not youwas left unspoken but heard by all.
“Of course, that’s what I meant.” Mr. Withers’s face went red. He took a swallow of his drink. “I’m tired of everyone questioning me.”
Lord Havenstone leaned over to his wife. “Soveryhappy to be leaving on the morrow,” he murmured. “To peace and quiet and away from these people.”
Lady Havenstone nodded. “Pass the butter. If this is to be our last meal from Cook Clem, I want to enjoy it fully.”
Katherine rubbed her nose. The lady’s words sounded almost like an accusation, but that made little sense.
Lord Havenstone was quick to comply. “Yes, dear.”
Katherine’s lips twitched. She raised her gaze to see if Henry had observed the interaction.
Their eyes met. The amusement in hers fled at the intensity in his. She’d forgotten she’d been ignoring him. Forgotten that he was yet another man more interested in an alliance with her father than a happy marriage with her. She looked back at her plate.
“Has everyone finished with their packing?” Mr. Ryder made a valiant attempt for neutral conversation. “The roads are quite rutted, I expect, so if you have anything breakable, be sure to pack it well.”
“Yes, a big travel day for all of us.” Lady Mary thanked the footman who took her plate and replaced it with a glass dish filled with syllabub. “Well, all but one. One of us won’t be leaving in the morning.” She gave the table another significant look.
“Uh, you mean yourself?” Mr. Ryder dug his spoon into his own syllabub, lifting it to reveal layers of cream and fruit. “You aren’t leaving Perrin Manor tomorrow?”
“Well, no, I’m not leaving tomorrow.” She pressed her lips together. “Two of us won’t be leaving in the morning, I meant. But, I’ve said too much.”
Katherine couldn’t help her glance to Henry. Even in her disappointment, she had to know if he understood Lady Mary any better than she did.
It appeared he didn’t. Henry rubbed his jaw. “Is there something you wish to tell us, Lady Mary?”
Lady Mary patted her lips with her napkin. “No, not at all. What a wonderful dessert to end our time together.”
“The last dessert I’ll ever taste from Cook Clem,” Lady Havenstone muttered.
Her husband’s face darkened.
Everyone became too preoccupied with their syllabubs to question Lady Mary further. The hint of sherry and the tang of lemon made the frothy berry and cream concoction a delight. It was almost enough to raise Katherine’s spirits.
