They moved on to allow the lady to greet more of her guests who were arriving. Verity looked about and noted that Lady Jellerbey’s rooms really were as dim as described. The chandeliers were unlit, and candelabras of all sorts were placed on tables and lit up the sideboards. One could see perfectly well up close, but people who stood more distant looked almost ghostly.
It was all very strange. Two gentlemen in the distant gloom seemed to look her way and then put their heads together. Were they talking about her? Were they talking about the strange lady who claimed she was studying if fish could see out of water? It was hard to tell in this lack of light.
“Ah,” the duke said, “there’s our Grace with Dashlend.”
Her father led her over to her sister and brother-in-law. He kissed his daughter on the cheek and said, “What say you, Gracie? You’ve been chained to this scoundrel for some years now. Any regrets?”
Lord Dashlend laughed, as he was quite used to her father’s ways by now. Grace said, “Not one regret for not one minute, Papa.”
“And I suppose my grandson gets on well? At least, when he is not commenting on my stomach.”
Grace sighed. “Goodness, he gets on well indeed. Though, he has reached an age where we are almost frightened of what he will comment on next. He has recently inquired of his grandmother why she smells powdery.”
“I remember those days very well,” the duke said. “Felicity was in the habit of commenting on everything in sight. Old Mrs. Geddy was not very pleased to hear that her nose was the longest Felicity had ever seen in her life.”
Lord Dashlend laughed heartily over the picture. “Verity,” Grace said, “how do you get on?”
“Oh, very well, I think,” Verity said. Which was a little true. Things did get on well, except they might not end well.
“Lady Verity!”
Verity turned and found Lady Lilith approaching. It seemed wherever she went, there was Lady Lilith, ready to join her party. “Lady Lilith,” she said. “You already know my father.”
“Your Grace,” Lady Lilith said with a bob.
“This is my sister and her husband, Lord and Lady Dashlend. Grace, Lord Dashlend, Lady Lilith is the daughter of the Earl of Berensby.”
After the introductions, the duke said, “Well now, I suppose I’ll take myself to the nearest sideboard, fill up a plate and a glass, and find a quiet corner while you all wait upon Wembly’s arrival.”
“Lord Wembly?” Lady Lilith asked, looking very surprised.
“Yes, that’s the one,” the duke said, looking at her quizzically.
Very suddenly, Lady Lilith looked entirely flustered. Why? Why did she look like that at the mention of Lord Wembly? What had happened?
“Gracious,” Lady Lilith said. “You have not heard.”
