Roland had not agreed to Conbatten approaching Chelderberry’s father and argued that a gentleman must not have his father brought into such a thing. Really, though, there was no point in it—he’d have to turn up for the other two duels on the morrow. Then of course, he’d been offended to hear the rift with Chelderberry spoken of as a “small matter,” though he knew Conbatten was just doing his duty as a second.
Further, he did not wish to keep Conbatten in conversation as he had not mentioned there would be two other gentlemen turning up at dawn on the morrow.
It had been hard enough to convince the duke that he must bring three sets of Roland’s pistols. He’d claimed that it was prudent to bring all three, just in case a set or two appeared to be in less than good order on the day.
He was all but certain that Conbatten had chalked that up to nerves.
That was fine with Roland. As long as the duke had not chalked it up to three different duels to be had. It had seemed such a practical way of doing things—all the duels together. Now, however, it was beginning to feel like an awful lot to do in one morning. It was also beginning to feel like Conbatten would be more than a little put out about it.
The duke had left with his usual mien of disgust and Roland was certain he viewed duels as the stupidest thing in the world.
Roland had thought the very same thing until he was forced to engage himself.
He’d had no choice though. Lady Viola’s honor was at stake. He would not let her down.
Barnard came into the library and said, “Gerald has returned from delivering the ham, my lord.”
“Send him in,” Roland said. He did not know what the young footman would say for himself or whether the idea that the package must be delivered to Lady Viola directly had even worked, but he would know how it was.
Gerald came in looking remarkably cheerful.
“Well?” Roland asked. “Tell me everything that happened. Did you see Lady Viola or were you forced to hand over the ham to the butler?”
“I seen her, my lord. Mind you, that old grim-face did his best to wrestle it off me, but I was all stalwart-like and wouldn’t be moved. Not even when he threatened me with a magistrate.”
“Good lad. What did she say? How did she seem?”
Gerald, looking very pleased to be able to relay the story, said, “T’was like this, I get took into the drawing room and there I find a whole gaggle of ladies. One was your Lady Viola, then there was two younger, and two older.”
Roland nodded. “The younger were the sisters and one of the older was Miss Mayton. I do not know who the other older lady might have been.”
“Nor me neither,” Gerald said. “But I can tell ya this—she was mighty stern and she had a cane and hinted she weren’t afraid to use it on my head.”
This set Roland back just a little bit. Who was the lady?
No matter, it was Lady Viola’s impressions he was interested in. He said, “So you repeated the message you were given?”
Gerald nodded. “I said, clear as day, that t’was for Lady Viola, from an admirer. Well, the old one with the cane seemed irate about it but Lady Viola was all smiles and she said she knew it was from you. I said I wouldn’t admit to nothin’. Then she said…”
There was a long pause and Roland thought it was done for dramatic effect.
“She said?” he urged.
“She said, you may tell Lord Baderston that the ham is very well received.”
Well received.Verywell received. That’s what she’d said.
Excellent.
What were a couple of duels when a gentleman’s ham had been well received?
*
After Lady Hightowerhad left, Viola, Miss Mayton, Cordelia, and Juliet hurried above stairs. Viola had given them all a particular look as Tattleton had cleared the tea trays and they all understood that something exceedingly confidential must be discussed.
“What an extraordinary visit by Lady Hightower,” Miss Mayton said. “While she says we are of interest to her because of our connection by marriage to Conbatten, I wonder if she does not feel a particular kinship toward me. Widows do have a certain camaraderie, you know.”
Viola nodded, but privately thought that Lady Hightower had not seemed very struck by her aunt.
