Chapter Eleven
Winsome sat upa bit straighter. Another gentleman had arrived to the house. Or as Valor called him, “the tall one that was at dinner.” Lord Manderbey.
“There was a dinner?” Lord St. John said.
Lord Manderbey. He had come. Had he brought flowers too?
“Do tell him to come in,” Serenity said.
Rather than go out to the hall, Valor just shouted, “Thomas, Serenity says he can come in.”
It must be presumed that this elegant summons reached Lord Manderbey’s hearing, as he showed himself in. He was looking very smart in his riding clothes. Winsome thought it odd that he should go visiting in them, but then he did look very good. Very good, indeed. She found herself not even caring that he’d not brought flowers, bringing himself felt quite sufficient.
“Lady Winsome. Lady Felicity. Lady Thorpe. Lady Valor.” He paused, staring at Lord St. John. “St. John,” he said leadenly.
Charlie came in with the tea tray, which for a moment distracted everyone from the awkwardness between the two lords. Not for long though.
After Winsome passed round the cups, Lord Manderbey seemed to catch a first sight of the little book about Rio de Janeiro. Then his eyes drifted to Lord St. John.
“Yes, I brought it,” Lord St. John said, “in case Lady Winsomewished to know more about that foreign locale.”
“Why would she.” It was posed as a question but it was without the inflection of a question.
“Why wouldn’t she?” Lord St. John said. “It is a fascinating place.”
“Winsome only reads scary stories,” Valor said.
Lord Manderbey nodded. “Gloaming at Glenford Cross, for example.” As Lord St. John seemed perplexed, Lord Manderbey went on. “We’ve both read it and had much discussion about it.”
“Ah yes, I believe that is just now on my bookshelf.”
“No it is not.”
Winsome watched their exchanges back and forth. They really seemed to dislike one another. It was a perfect example of how gambling could destroy relationships.
“I stopped by your house just now,” Lord Manderbey said to Lord St. John. “I believe we are overdue for a conversation.”
“Yes, well I was not there, was I?”
“Obviously not.”
“This is boring,” Valor said. “Talk about my dog. He’s tremendous.”
The dog in question was just now laying on his back on the sofa, legs splayed and round stomach pointing to the ceiling, snoring heavily.
Both gentlemen stared at the dog. Winsome guessed they were both searching their minds for something complimentary to say. She suspected they’d be searching for quite some time.
Thomas brought in the flowers, now installed in a crystal vase. He set them on the table and hurried out. Lord Manderbey stared at them.
“Lord St. John was kind enough to bring them,” Winsome said.
“How thoughtful,” Lord Manderbey said.
Winsome got the feeling he was in some way jealous. It should not mean anything to her, one way or the other. But it did. It was thrilling. She could not help it, it was thrilling to her core.
“Well? My dog?” Valor said.
“He certainly is tremendous,” Lord Manderbey said.
