Nor had she looked at him.
They in fact appeared to be studiously avoiding each other’s gaze.
But Mrs. Brightwall didn’t seem the least frightened or cowed. Her posture was erect; she held her head high. She was clearly well-bred. But both the Brightwalls seemed distracted and darkly absorbed. This, and a certain palpable simmering tension, were the only things suggesting the two of them were linked at all.
Perhaps it had to do with whatever nonsense had allegedly happened the previous evening. The bit with a stolen carriage.
But Delilah would wager that this was not a happy marriage.
Had it ever been? They had been apart for five years.
A cold, superstitious little wind whistled through her soul. She immediately desperately wanted to feel Tristan’s familiar, beloved rough palm against hers, and to twine her fingers through his. They were so happy now. But life was long. She felt she didn’t want to bring an unhappy marriage into their house any more than she wanted to bring the plague in, and she knew this was neither completely rational nor compassionate.
Dot had assessed this correctly, too. Delilah kept a mental list of Dot’s unique talents, just in case someday some exasperated person wanted to know why Delilah and Angelique kept Dot. She was also conscientious, loyal, kind to a fault, and in some ways surprisingly pragmatic.
“The Grand Palace on the Thames was recommended to me by the Duke of Valkirk,” he told them. “And I of course am acquainted with your husband, Captain Hardy, a fine man, indeed.”
“That is very kind of you to say, sir, and I, of course, concur,” Delilah said pleasantly.
“I’m given to understand yours is a very exclusive establishment, and an interview is required to determine whether we are suitable for admission.”
Was she imagining the challenging—even somewhat roguish—glint in Colonel Brightwall’s eyes?
Angelique cleared her throat. “The Duke of Valkirk’s is of course an unimpeachable reference, and we are so pleased that we were able to make him comfortable for the duration of his stay. We are particularly gratified that he met his wonderful wife here. And yet I hope you know no reference at all is required, Colonel Brightwall. We are delighted for you and Mrs. Brightwall to stay with us. You honor us with your presence.”
He nodded, graciously.
Mrs. Brightwall appeared to be studying the flowers in the vase on the mantel. It was anyone’s guess whether she was actually listening.
“We feel you should know that guests from many different walks of life stay with us—we find this enriching and interesting. We also have a list of rules we cannot waive for any guests. We like to be certain they feel comfortable abiding by them before we formalize our arrangement. For we enforce them scrupulously.”
Angelique delivered this information with a gently ingratiating smile.
They had nearly evicted the Duke of Valkirk for rudeness to another guest. She wondered if Valkirk had mentioned this. They would do it again if they had to.
If the notion that he would not be exempt from rules amazed Brightwall, not an eyebrow flicker betrayed it.
He did smile, faintly. “I cannot wait to see them.”
Delilah obligingly placed the little cards upon which the rules were printed into the Brightwalls’ hands, and they bent their heads to read.
All guests will eat dinner together at least four times per week.
All guests must gather in the drawing room after dinner for at least an hour at least four times per week. We feel it fosters a sense of friendship and the warm, familial, congenial atmosphere we strive to create here at The Grand Palace on the Thames.
All guests should be quietly respectful and courteous of other guests at all times, though spirited discourse is welcome.
Guests may entertain other guests in the drawing room.
Curfew is at 11:00 p.m. The front door will be securely locked then. You will need to wait until morning to be admitted if you miss curfew.
If the proprietresses collectively decide that a transgression or series of transgressions warrants your eviction from The Grand Palace on the Thames, you will find your belongings neatly packed and placed near the front door. You will not be refunded the balance of your rent.
Gentlemen may smoke in the Smoking Room only.
A little silence elapsed. From a distance, faintly, came the clink of the tea tray traveling up from the kitchen with Dot. Delilah and Angelique had learned to pitch their ears for it. To the end of their days their hearts would begin to hammer at that sound, in anticipation of a crash.
“A warm, familial atmosphere,” Colonel Brightwall quoted slowly from the card. With just a frisson of irony.
