*
“I do hopeyou will manage in my absence.” Aunt Catherine put her flowery china teacup in its saucer. She motioned to one of the broad-shouldered, liveried footmen standing motionless on each side of the salon door like a pair of imposing bookends. “Fetch more hot water, Albert.”
“Of course I shall manage. Please don’t worry,” Althea said.
“You might come to France with me. You would enjoy Cousin Phillip’s company enormously. He would adore to see you.”
“If only I could. But I must await my solicitor’s instructions.”
“I don’t understand any of this, Althea. You say Sir Horace Crowthorne wishes to purchase Owltree Cottage.” She threaded the gold chain on her bodice through her fingers and the fine pink topaz swung and caught the light. “Most odd! What does he want with that insignificant property? Some people are frightfully greedy. He has no class, my dear. No class at all.”
“I am in full agreement with you, Aunt Catherine.”
Her aunt frowned. “You say you will stay at Owltree Cottage until your London property has been restored? You are welcome to stay here while I’m in France, but there will only be a few servants in residence.”
“No thank you, Aunt. Montsimon has promised to drive me to Slough tomorrow.”
Her aunt’s brilliant blue eyes sharpened. “Don’t get too fond of him, although I’ll wager it will prove to be very difficult.” She let out an audible breath. “There’s barely a handsomer man in London. I declare, honey drips from these diplomats’ tongues. Should they want something from you, they will get it.” She shivered delicately and dabbed her mouth with her napkin.
“He remains a friend, Aunt. Montsimon has no wish to marry.”
Aunt Catherine smirked. “A woman’s life does not necessarily revolve around marriage, Althea. Although thetonwould have you think it does.”
“I wonder what you mean by that.” Althea smiled at her outrageous relative.
“If you don’t know now, girl, there’s no hope for you. Joseph?” She beckoned the remaining footman. “I don’t see cucumber sandwiches here. Has the kitchen staff deserted us?”
Joseph, despite his big frame, employed speed and grace to carry out her wishes. Her aunt offered Althea a plate of sumptuous cakes and pastries. “I recommend the nougat almond cake. It’s excellent. You’ve hardly eaten enough to fill a sparrow at luncheon.”
“I don’t wish to spoil my dinner,” Althea said with a smile. “You have such an excellent cook.”
“Men like a few curves, Althea. Be careful you don’t lose yours.”
“I am not interested in what men like,” she said, nibbling on the cucumber sandwich that had been promptly delivered by the footman.
Aunt Catherine gazed at her thoughtfully. “No, I see you have retreated to an ivory tower.”
“I’m happy with that.”
Aunt shook her head. “The only trouble with towers, they are an invitation to lightning.”
Althea laughed. “Oh Aunt, how imaginative you are. Have you not done the same yourself after your husband passed away?”
“Not entirely.”
“Aunt!”
Her vivid eyes turned misty. “I loved my husband and honored his memory for some years after he died. And then I indulged in a brief affair with a very special man.”
Althea raised her eyebrows. “Why didn’t you continue the affair? Marry the man?”
“He was considerably younger,” her aunt said, drawing her shawl closer. “I didn’t see a future in it.” She shrugged her slim shoulders. “An older woman doesn’t always want a permanent man in her life. They demand too much. I’m happy with my memories.” She eyed Althea. “Don’t waste your young years, my dear. When you reach my age, you may not have any delicious memories to dwell on.”
Althea shook her head. “I will make no mistakes in the name of loneliness. I began my marriage with high hopes only to have them dashed. I don’t ever want to feel crushed like that again.”
Aunt Catherine sighed sympathetically. She patted Althea’s arm. “My dear! I pray you’ll change your mind.” She smiled. “Perhaps Montsimon will change it for you.”
“Aunt, you are a hopeless romantic! I must thank you for sending my maid back to London. The poor girl wishes to stay with her mother. This whole business has shaken us all.”
“This Crowthorne has a bad reputation, Althea. I have made inquiries about him. Do take care.”
“I will. Please do not worry, Aunt. Enjoy your stay in France. I shall look forward to your letters.”
Althea thought of the trip on the morrow and her stomach tightened. She put down the rest of the sandwich, not sure which worried her most, what they might discover at Owltree, or spending more time in Montsimon’s unsettling company.
