“Yes, please.” Carenza took the tea and sat beside Allegra on the couch farthest away from the meager warmth of the fire.
“Surely that is my title now,” Lady Harriet piped up.
“I suppose it is.” Lady Isobel’s expression indicated that she didn’t seem enamored of the new countess, either. “I should have added the dowager part.”
“There is no need,” Carenza said. “In fact, I’ve reverted to using my maiden name and prefer Lady Carenza.”
“That’s rather modern of you,” Lady Isobel commented. “Are you one of those women who think they are equal to men?”
“Equal?” Allegra raised her eyebrows. “In my opinion, women are far superior altogether!”
“I believe we all have different strengths that complement each other.” Carenza attempted to diffuse her sister’s inflammatory comment.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Lady Isobel said. “One does wonder what values are shared in an unconventional family such as yours.”
Carenza’s head began to ache. Allegra cleared her throat, and Carenza kicked her in the ankle.
“Don’t,” Carenza murmured. “It’s not worth it.”
“As you wish.” Allegra scowled at her and sipped her tea as Lady Isobel drew the other ladies into a discussion about their “good works.”
Soon, Lady Harriet’s gaze fastened on Carenza. “Are you sure those earrings are yours?”
Carenza repressed the desire to scream and concentrated on projecting calm as Lady Harriet sprang to her feet and stalked over to her.
She pointed her finger far too close to Carenza’s face. “Take them off. I wish to examine them more closely.”
Carenza rose to her feet. She was a good deal taller than the other woman and intended to use that height to her advantage. “I will do no such thing. These earrings were a present from my father on my twenty-first birthday.”
“I doubt that.”
Carenza locked gazes with the infuriated countess. “You are embarrassing yourself in front of your hostess, ma’am. You should apologize and resume your seat.”
“Take them off!” She lunged at Carenza.
Allegra stepped between them and shoved Lady Harriet. The countess clutched at her chest and screeched so loudly Carenza had an urge to cover her ears.
“I’ve been assaulted! Help! Fetch the Watch!”
Lady Isobel approached, her stern gaze on Lady Harriet. “You are hysterical. I will ask your husband to take you home.” She paused. “And do not expect an invitation to this house ever again.”
There was a clapping sound from the doorway. It appeared the gentlemen and the butler had been observing the scene.
Aragon strode forward. “I quite agree, Mother. Smythe-Harding? Please collect your wife. She is behaving appallingly.”
Tobias rushed over to his wife and grabbed her arm. “Come along, dear.”
“But she assaulted me!”
“I didn’t see anything.” Julian looked around the room. “Did anyone else?” Everyone shook their heads, and Julian smiled at Lady Harriet. “Perhaps you have imbibed too much wine, ma’am, and would do better to seek your bed at home. A letter of apology to my mother in the morning should suffice to cover your embarrassing behavior.”
He stood back as Tobias escorted his still-protesting wife out of the room.
Julian went over to Allegra and bowed. “I almost wish you’d planted her a facer.”
“I did consider it,” Allegra allowed. “But I was trying to be polite.”
“I would like to go home,” Carenza said, aware that her voice was trembling. “Will you come with me, Allegra?”
