Page 16 of A Lady in Name

“Oh, yes, you have, Mama. Lucy has been embarrassed enough.”

“Yes, quite enough,” agreed Dion, throwing a warm look across the table.

Mrs Ankerville frowned. “But no one has told me in what relation Lucinda stands to our family.”

Lord Pennington gave her a meaning look, flicking a glance at the footman and the butler, waiting patiently to serve. Lucy looked anxiously at her hostess. From the little she had seen of her, she was confident Mrs Ankerville was one of those persons with a sublime disregard for the ears of servants. The butler, however, apparently knowing his mistress better than her children, signed to his junior to leave the room, meanwhile distracting his mistress by refilling her glass.

“Thank you, Hawkesbury.”

The butler bowed. “There was a package delivered for you earlier this evening, ma’am. It came by courier.”

Mrs Ankerville was instantly diverted. “It must be the Italian manuscript! Why did you not tell me at once?”

“I did not care to disturb you, ma’am, knowing how concentrated you are at your labours.”

Lucy was surprised to see her hostess rising immediately.

“Where is it?”

“I will fetch it to you after dinner, ma’am.”

“No, no, Hawkesbury. Come and give it to me at once. I have been waiting for it for several weeks.”

With which, she hurried from the room, completely ignoring the rest of the company and leaving her half-eaten meal on the plate.

“Masterly, Hawkesbury,” said his lordship, his tone dry. “Don’t forget to send up a tray with a selection of fruits and sweet dishes.”

Bowing, the butler retired without comment, and Lucy was alone with his lordship and Dion.

“Don’t look so shocked, Lucy,” said the latter merrily. “Corisande often leaves her meal unfinished. Usually she remembers some little fact she had meant to write down and must do so instantly, regardless of who may be dining with us.”

“Fortunately, the majority of our acquaintance are so used to it, they do not turn a hair,” added Lord Pennington.

“And now Corisande has accepted you without question,” pursued Dion, “I can bring up the notion of inviting you to remain here for a visit.”

Lucy’s pulse began an uneven beat as she watched Dion turn innocently towards her brother.

“Do you not think so, Stefan? Could we not have Lucy to stay for a time?”

Lord Pennington’s steely gaze came round to Lucy. “The very point we were discussing this afternoon, were we not, Miss Graydene?”

“For goodness’ sake, don’t call her that. It is bad enough having Lucy determinedly calling you Lord Pennington. I know very well you quarrelled, but if you can address her as Lucy in front of Corisande, it is ridiculous to be so formal the moment we are all alone together.”

“I did not drop formality,” Lucy burst out, incensed anew by the reminder of the earlier encounter. “And I do not propose to accede to his lordship’s demands.”

Dion’s eyes widened. “What demands?”

Lucy quelled her rising temper. “I am very grateful to you, Dion, for your kind invitation, but I am afraid it will not be possible for me to remain. I would leave tonight, if I could, but as that is clearly ineligible, I propose to go tomorrow.”

“You propose to, do you?”

Lucy turned on Lord Pennington. “I am going, my lord, and there is nothing you can do to stop me.”

“That we shall see.”

Lucy was prevented from retort by the re-entrance of the footman bearing a laden tray.

“But why, Lucy? I do not understand.”