A tap on the door jerked them out of their conversation. The door opened, admitting the butler.
“A Lord Barwick has called for Miss Randall,” the butler said, addressing himself to Katherine but glancing briefly over at Pippa. “Shall I tell him you are not at home?”
Pippa swallowed thickly. The infamous excuse –the family is not at home. She and Bridget had heard it over and over again in the weeks following the viscount’s funeral, when they most needed help from their friends.
It turned out that they had fewer friends than they thought.
Katherine and Lavinia exchanged surprised looks. Katherine glanced over at Pippa.
“Well, Pip, do you want to see him?”
She hesitated. The simple answer, of course, wasno. She did not. But word would undoubtedly get back to her mother that the marquess had visited, and been subsequently turned away, and then she would fly into a rage. It was not really worth it, then.
“Of course,” Pippa managed, not able to sound too convincing. “But you won’t leave me alone with him, will you?”
Lavinia snorted. “Certainlynot.”
“Show him in, then,” Katherine said, addressing the butler. The man bowed and withdrew, leaving an uneasy silence behind.
“He’s paying her calls, then,” Lavinia murmured, glancing over at Pippa. “He is making his interest known.”
“A marquess is not a terrible match,” Katherine sighed, shooting quick little looks at Pippa. “If she likes him, that is.”
It wasn’t a question, and so Pippa did not bother to answer.
A few minutes reprieve was all they got. Footsteps echoed along the hall, and the butler reappeared, followed by a familiar, smiling figure.
“Ladies, Your Grace, good day to you,” Lord Barwick remarked, his quick gaze flicking through the room. He didn’t seem particularly pleased to see Lavinia in there, or even Katherine.
It’s her house,Pippa thought, with a sudden flare of anger. She swallowed it down, however, getting to her feet and exchanging pleasantries.
“What a surprise, Lord Barwick,” Katherine said smoothly. “I’ll ring for more tea. Please, sit.”
“I hope my unannounced visit is not too much of a disruption,” Lord Barwick answered, taking a seat and stretching out his legs complacently. “But I simply had to call on Miss Randall here. Tell me, is your dear mother around, Miss Randall?”
Pippa cleared her throat, shifting a little. It had not occurred to her just how much of an imposition Lord Barwick’s visitwas. It was not visiting hours, he was not a close family friend or family member, and hewasunannounced.
In short, he should not have come. She glanced over at Katherine and Lavinia, whose cool, serene faces revealed nothing.
“She has a megrim,” Pippa managed. She knew then that her mother had not known about Lord Barwick’s visit. If she had, she would never have stayed upstairs with a megrim or a headache.
So, his visit truly was unexpected then. Pippa shifted again, suddenly feeling vulnerable.
I wish Mama was here,she thought, and then,Goodness. I don’t think I’ve wishedthatin a very long time.
“I understand I shall see you at Lord Henry’s garden party tomorrow,” Lord Barwick said, looking around. “Generally, I find outdoor parties something of a bore, but I shall be sure to attend.”
Pippa blushed at his bluntness, not daring to glance over at Katherine. This was her brother he was talking about! Lord Barwick didn’t seem to notice, or to care.
“I’m sure it will be a fine event,” she heard herself saying. “I am quite excited.”
He threw her a good-humoured smile. “What an open-hearted little thing you are, Miss Randall. Tell me, do you play the pianoforte?”
“I… Yes, I do. I believe your mother asked me this question recently,” Pippa said, finding herself floundering. “You were there. Don’t you recall?”
Lord Barwick blinked, momentarily taken aback. “I cannot recall. But no matter. You must play for me sometime, Miss Randall.”
It was not a question, but rather a statement. Pippa was beginning to feel truly embarrassed. Katherine and Lavinia had not said anything, and she could almost feel the waves of disapproval headed towards Lord Barwick.Hehad not noticed, and she had a feeling that if he did notice, he would not care.
