Chapter Five
Patience had been pleased that Lord Stanford’s acceptance of the dinner invitation had arrived first thing in the morning. He had not delayed overlong to ponder it, and that seemed like a very good sign.
Now she was free to move on to her second goal—inviting Lady Alice. She must know, she must see with her own eyes, how Lord Stanford reacted to the lady over an intimate and protracted dinner. Patience knew what she expected to see, which was nothing, but she must see it all the same.
As she had no lady’s maid, Mrs. Right would step forward as a chaperone on the visit to Lady Alice. It was agreed between them that the housekeeper would pose as lady’s maid, thereby being led to the servants’ hall. Mrs. Right liked nothing better than to have a look round other people’s households. She said you could tell a lot about a family by ascertaining how they treated their people.
Lady Alice lived on Bedford Square, the same square Lady Marchfield kept her house. Mrs. Right suggested they ought to keep an eye out for the lady and direct the coachman to keep driving if she was spotted. Patience thought that was as good a plan as any. She would like to avoid her aunt for the time being, as she did not wish to slip up and mention the dinner on Tuesday next.
As it happened, Lady Marchfield was nowhere in sight. The carriage rolled to a stop, the groom helped them down, and then he jogged up the four steps to rap on the door knocker as they followed.
After some minutes passed, the door was finally opened by what appeared to be a harried and breathless butler.
Patience stepped forward. “Lady Patience Nicolet to see Lady Alice.” As the look on the butler’s face showed his surprise, she hurriedly said, “I realize it is not her at home day, but I did feel we became friends at Almack’s and I might take the liberty of arriving without warning.”
Patience did not know if the butler believed that or not. Patience herself certainly did not. She had only been briefly introduced to Lady Alice. It would be bad form to arrive without invitation and demand to be seen rather than drop off a card.
Nevertheless, she was certain that a personal visit was the best way to extend the invitation to dine, as it was so much more difficult to say no while the inviter was staring at one rather than to write their regrets when nobody was looking. She must just plow ahead as if nothing at all was amiss.
“I see, yes, do come in,” the harried butler said. “I will check if Lady Alice is at home.”
Patience nodded as if she believed that. Down a distant corridor, she could hear music coming from a pianoforte. Certainly it must be Lady Alice playing.
Patience felt the smallest twinge of regret that neither she nor her sisters had ever become proficient on a musical instrument. None of them had taken to it, they did not seem to have a natural ear, and nobody had pressed them to carry on with it.
She dismissed the feeling, as she did not like to dwell on things that could not be changed with any speed.
“Well, I suppose I ought to wait in the drawing room and my lady’s maid could be shown downstairs for a cup of tea.”
Patience had the distinct impression that they would have been left to stand in the hall had she not put forward the suggestion. As shehadsuggested it, the butler nodded to a footman to lead Mrs. Right below stairs and he showed Patience into the drawing room.
The door closed and very shortly after Patience heard the music stop. Lady Alice was being told of her arrival.
A minute passed, and Patience heard some noises out in the hall, and then the distinct sound of running up the stairs. No doubt, Lady Alice had hurried up to her bedchamber to change her dress. At least, that was her guess, as that was what she would have done herself.
Tea was brought in, which was rather awkward. Was she to pour for herself while in another lady’s house?
She decided to do nothing and was soon rewarded by the presence of the hostess, herself.
Lady Alice was a striking woman, she had the sort of coloring that was almost stark in its beauty. Her hair was jet black and her eyes a dark blue, set off by an almost overly pale complexion. Patience envied her just the smallest bit—her looks made a statement, they demanded to be noticed.
“Lady Patience,” she said, “what a pleasant…surprise.”
“I know it is a surprise, and perhaps even ill-mannered, but I had a very good reason for coming,” Patience said. “By the by, you are very good on the pianoforte. I quite admire it.”
Lady Alice blushed deeply as she poured the tea. “I venture I am as proficient as any other lady, meaning I meander along as best I can.”
“I can assure you that you are far more proficient than I am,” Patience said. “I cannot play a note.” She paused, then said, “Though perhaps I should not be advertising that fact.”
“I suspect it may be modesty on your part,” Lady Alice said. “You did say your visit was of a particular nature?”
“Oh yes,” Patience said, nearly forgetting why she’d come. “My father is hosting a dinner on Tuesday next, just a small affair. I wondered if you would come. Your parents might be assured that you would be in a duke’s household and quite safe.”
“Goodness, that is very kind. But if it is to be a small dinner, I do wonder…”
Lady Alice trailed off, but of course Patience understood her meaning.
“Well, it is just this,” she said, “Lord Radner and Lord Stanford will attend. I was particularly thinking Lord Radner might suit you.” She paused and heaved a sigh. “Of course, it might be Lord Stanford, as I have been told he is serious or cautious or I am not certain what.”
