“What other choice do you have?” Cordelia asked. “Until he declares himself, you can do nothing.”
“Nonsense,” Viola said, feeling a surety of purpose filling her breast. “If Lord Baderston is just now a bit slow to the mark, then I will help him along.Iwill declaremyself. First thing on the morrow, so he has no chance of getting killed.”
“Can you do that?” Juliet asked. “Can you propose, instead of waiting for him to do it?”
“I can, and I will.”
*
Tattleton sat contentedlyat the servants’ table with Mrs. Huffson, a generous glass of brandy by his side. All the house was abed and even the diabolical parrot had quieted.
He could not remember when he had last felt so content—it had recently felt as if he would live his entire life on the edge of nervous exhaustion.
He was, perhaps, not particularly proud of how his contentment had been arrived at. He’d been compelled to listen at the drawing room door during Lady Hightower’s visit.
He could not feel too terrible about it, though. Was it not his duty to ensure all in the house were well?
A terrible thing had befallen them, and he’d not known what ought to be done about it. Lady Viola had sent a rumor round about herself, it had grown and blossomed to such a degree that she’d been shunned by several hostesses and it had been necessary that the earl be told. It seemed as if nothing would ever be right again for the Benningtons.
Then, Lady Hightower had arrived, and he’d taken great comfort in her visit.
What a lady! Forceful, direct, and courageous. He must consider Lady Hightower as made in the mold of Queen Boudica herself. A veritable warrior in silks.
Quite the change from the likes of Miss Mayton. Lady Hightower was a discerning hawk and Miss Mayton was a baffled titmouse.
No, that was not even it. Lady Hightower was a Phoenix prepared to rise them up from the ashes. Miss Mayton was akin to Chester the deranged parrot, talking nonsense, causing trouble, and accomplishing nothing.
And then, what had Lady Hightower said, addressing him directly? ‘I trust you will forge on as dignified as I see you now, regardless of any unpleasantness that has come upon the house.’
Lady Hightower was astute enough to perceive his dignity and fortitude just by looking at him.
“You seem a deal more at ease than you have been, Mr. Tattleton,” Mrs. Huffson said.
“Indeed I am, Mrs. Huffson. The Bennington household has come under the protection of a powerful figure. A powerful figure, indeed.”
“The duke,” Mrs. Huffson said.
She said it with almost a sigh. Tattleton was aware that she was pleased for Lady Rosalind, but that she was not over impressed by a ducal title. It was one of the few areas of temperament and understanding where they differed.
“I speak of Lady Hightower,” Tattleton said. “The duke has the utmost standing, I’ll not argue that point. But Lady Hightower has an elevated standing and a certain sort of vigor. She will not be brooked! She was not afraid to bring her cane down upon the head of that footman who turned up with a ham and he knew the truth of it.”
Mrs. Huffson nodded. “I suppose a matron of thetonis well able to shake the knees of a young footman.”
“That is not all,” Tattleton continued. “She has decided that the Benningtons are of concern to her and she is prepared to venture out into society and set it straight regarding Lady Viola.”
“That is very kindly done,” Mrs. Huffson said.
“Kind, and necessary. I am certain all this gossip going round is riding in the convenient vehicle of lady’s calls. Who else better to stop it than a lady for whom every door will be open?”
“Mr. Tattleton!” Mrs. Huffson said, peering at him in some surprise. “You do not imply that women are more prone to gossip than men are? As far as I can tell, all they do at Lord Darden’s club is tell stories to one another.”
“Perhaps, Mrs. Huffson. But the stories told at the YBC are of an elevated nature and comprised of sporting events and such.”
“Elevated nature? You do not really believe that.”
“I wish to believe it, Mrs. Huffson. I wish to believe I understand how we have come to such a pass in this house. Understanding is the only way to hold on to my sanity. Furthermore, I put my full faith in Lady Hightower and find myself soothed that a solution has been found. Do not work to take that from me.”
“Ah well, if it soothes you, I’ll leave it alone.”
