As it was, he found Lady Viola and Miss Mayton keeping company with the two younger sisters—Lady Cordelia and Lady Juliet.
“Gracious,” one of the sisters said, though he was not entirely clear who as she was a bit blurry.
“Oh dear,” Miss Mayton said.
“Never mind it, Lord Baderston,” Lady Viola said. “It is only the initial surprise of…the state of your eyes. But these things do not last forever. I am certain you will find yourself healed in no time at all.”
“Of course that must be right,” Miss Mayton said encouragingly.
Roland was well aware he looked dreadful, but he supposed he had not taken in the full effect of his mangled appearance on a lady.
“Murder!” Chester shouted.
“Juliet, do give poor Chester something off the tray,” Lady Viola said. “Lord Baderston, we have made an error regarding training Chester, I’m afraid. He is now quite set on the idea that almonds are called murder. It is entirely our fault, of course.”
“There is no harm in it, I suppose,” Roland said, squinting at the parrot.
As Lady Viola poured the tea, she said, “I know you will not admit to sending the ham, but I thank you anyway, Lord Baderston. It was very thoughtful.”
“I admit to nothing,” Roland said gallantly, “though if Ihadsent a ham, it would be gratifying to know that it had been well received.”
Lady Viola nodded prettily and all was understood between them.
She handed him his cup, which he at first missed, as his depth perception was not currently what it ought to be. He finally grabbed hold of it and set it down with a clatter on the table. He’d probably spilled some of it, but it was hard to see on the dark wood of the table.
“Lord Baderston,” Lady Juliet said, “what are your views on Scotland?”
“Scotland?” Roland asked. He was not entirely certain how that ought to be answered. Though he had, in getting to know the family, noticed that when they mentioned a thing, they generally held positive views on it.
“I suppose I like Scotland very much,” he said. “I have a small fishing lodge there, gifted me by an old bachelor uncle. It is small but charming, I like it very well.”
The sisters all glanced at one another and nodded knowingly, so he supposed he’d guessed right on his views on Scotland.
“Now Lord Baderston,” Lady Viola said, “I did wish to communicate a particular opinion on a matter.”
“Please do,” he said, feeling the smallest bit of trepidation. If a lady set out to bring up a particular opinion, he supposed there must be some strong feeling behind it.
“I find myself very against dueling, Lord Baderston. Very against it.”
“Very against it?” Roland said. Lord, had she heard of any of these duels that were to take place on the morrow?
“Very,” Lady Viola said. “So I wondered, if it would not be too bold to ask, and considering your recent encounters with both Lord Chelderberry and that person at the theater, if you would vow not to engage yourself to a duel.”
“To not engage myself?” Roland said slowly.
“Now mind,” Juliet said, “it is only a care for your person. We should not like to hear you were shot some morning.”
No, he would not like to hear that either. But then, he was engaged three times over on the morrow. What was to be done about it?
Nothing was to be done about it. A gentleman could not back out of an arranged meeting.
“I only say, Lord Baderston,” Lady Viola continued, “that I really would not prefer it.”
“Lady Viola,” he said, “I do not think there is anybody that prefers it. But what is a gentleman to do if he is engaged in a matter of honor?”
“Perhaps avoid the situation altogether?” Lady Viola said. “Perhaps it is best to avoid those sort of disagreements right from the start?”
Roland nodded. “I believe I have come to agree with you on that particular view,” he said. “One ought not be too rash.”
