Page 35 of The Bridal Quest

Finally Francesca seemed to give up, and the table lapsed into a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of the cutlery against the china plates and an occasional tinkle of crystal. The longer the silence lasted, the more uncomfortable it became, and Irene glanced across the table at Francesca in appeal.

But before Francesca could come up with something to say, Teresa spoke. "It is so kind of you, Lady Haughston," she said, with an insincere smile, "to come help us with Lord Radbourne."

Teresa cast a glance up the table at Gideon, whose face gave no indication that he had heard her. He did not even acknowledge her look, but continued to eat in a stolid fashion. Irene's nerves began to prickle and her stomach tightened, reminding her of mealtimes spent in her father's presence. There had often come a moment when suddenly she would realize that her father had passed some point in the course of his drinking, and that danger was once again hovering over the table. She would always grow taut with dread, knowing that at any moment he might do or say something that would lead to an inevitable scene.

"I am, of course, quite happy to help Lady Odelia," Francesca responded coolly.

"I fear it will be a test of your skills," Teresa went on, with a little titter. "Lord Radbourne has been away from society for a very long time."

Irene's fingers curled tightly around the handle of her knife, and she said, "Yes, what happened to Lord Radbourne was indeed a terrible thing. However, I am certain that his family was overjoyed to find that he was alive and well, were you not?"

Teresa turned her gaze to Irene. "Why, yes, of course. It is simply astonishing that he could have survived in that sort of place all those years. One would think that it would have been almost impossible for one of our sort to have lived in such conditions."

"I would think that being cold and hungry would be difficult for a child from any class," Irene responded.

"I suppose." Teresa looked doubtful.

"I can assure you, Lady Teresa, that it was equally difficult for my companions and for me," Gideon said, clearly surprising everyone by speaking up.

"Of course it was. What nonsense are you talking, Teresa?" Lady Odelia put in decisively.

Teresa shot the older woman a venomous glance, but said mildly, "I meant only that it would seem to me that such an existence would be very difficult for one of higher sensibilities."

"Ah, but then, my sensibilities are distressingly plebian, are they not, my lady?" Gideon responded, giving her title a sardonic stress.

Teresa again affected a little laugh as she cast a look around the table, inviting them to share in her amusement.

"I fear Lord Radbourne does not like to be reminded of his shortcomings. Do you remember the first night you were here, my lord?" She looked at him, challenge in her gaze. "La, that look upon your face when you saw the array of knives and forks and spoons beside your plate! I knew at once that we would have to do something to bring you up to snuff. I believe that is when Lady Pansy wrote to you, Lady Odelia."

Irene set down her utensils on her plate with a clatter, resentment burning in her on Gideon's behalf. She could not bring herself to look at him.

Across the table from her, Francesca said mildly, "I often feel that way myself. One wonders why it's really necessary to have a different utensil for every course. Could not one use the same fork for fish and meat?"

"Oh, Lady Haughston, you are jesting," Teresa said gaily. "I have been told that you are very light in spirit." She leaned toward Francesca and went on in a confidential tone. "However, I fear that you will find that explaining place settings will be only the beginning." She nodded wisely. "There simply are things that are ingrained in people, things that cannot be learned, which are the hallmark of good breeding."

"Indeed?" Francesca replied in so chilly a tone it would have warned someone less oblivious than Lady Teresa.

"Oh, yes. When one is lacking in refinement ..." Teresa threw a little look at Lord Radbourne, just in case there might be someone at the table who missed her meaning. "Well, it shows, and it is very difficult to change that. How can one learn good breeding?"

She sat back in her chair, looking self-satisfied. For a moment the table was silent. Francesca glanced at Irene, looking decidedly and uncharacteristically uncomfortable.

Irene smiled, her eyes glinting with a dangerous light, and turned toward Teresa. "Lady Teresa," she began in a deceptively friendly tone, "I am surprised that I have never met you before. A woman of such obvious taste and refinement as yourself must surely have come to London. Why have I not seen you at any parties there?"

The face Teresa turned to Irene was cold. "I am afraid that Cecil—my husband, Lord Radbourne—did not care to visit the city. He was a man who liked his own home and hearth. And of course, I felt it my duty to stay with him."

"But before you married him, surely you made your come-out in London. When was that?"

A flush started in the other woman's pale cheeks. "I did not visit London then, either. My father was a not a social man, and he disapproved of the 'fripperies and foibles of the London life', as he liked, to say. And then, of course, I married Lord Radbourne when I was quite young."

"Of course. How sad that both your husband and your father kept you from the sophisticated life to which you are so obviously suited." Irene smiled at her. "It explains, of course, why we never met. But I am sure that I must have heard of your family. What was your father's title? I suppose he is an earl, like Lord Radbourne."

Teresa's cheeks flamed with color as she shook her head. "No. He is not an earl."

"He is of higher station, then?" Irene asked, looking impressed.

Across the table, Francesca raised her hand to cover her mouth, her eyes bright with laughter. She shook her head at Irene, but Irene ignored her, saying to Teresa, "Your father is a marquess? Or perhaps a duke, like Lord Radbourne's cousin, Rochford?"

"Goodness me, no." Teresa let out a nervous titter and glanced around the table with a trapped expression.