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‘Her name is Elizabeth, is it not? Lady Elizabeth Holden, the Duke of Messingham’s daughter?’
‘Her name is Elizabeth Fortini.’
‘Of course. I meant her maiden name.’
‘That was twenty-five years ago. It’s not a name she cares to be associated with any more.’
‘I understand, but having only just discovered her identity my grandmother is eager to see her again.’ He paused. ‘She’d like to invite you both to tea tomorrow afternoon.’
‘No.’
r /> He lifted an eyebrow at the speed of her refusal. ‘You don’t wish to consult your mother about it?’
‘I don’t need to. I know what she’ll say. No.’
‘I see.’ He looked as if he were about to say something else and then changed his mind. ‘In that case I respect your decision, Miss Fortini, but I should warn you that my grandmother isn’t very good at taking no for an answer.’
‘Of course she isn’t.’ She allowed herself a small, cynical laugh. ‘She’s an aristocrat. You’re all used to getting your own way, aren’t you, especially with people like us? Well, for once she’ll have to make an exception. If she wants to see my mother then she’ll have to get through me and I’m not as easily frightened as Mr Hoxley.’ She folded her arms. ‘My mother and I don’t want anything to do with you or any member of her old life.’
‘Very well.’ His gaze seemed to harden. ‘Whatever you might think about me, however, I believe that my grandmother means well.’
‘I’ve no interest in what she may or may not mean.’ Anna stormed towards the door, flinging it open so hard that it bounced back off the wall. ‘Now if that’s all you have to say...’
‘Just one more comment.’ He came to stand in the doorway, putting his hat back on with one firm push. ‘I believe that you spoke of a debt to my grandmother earlier. This seems like a curious way of repaying it.’
‘So you think you can blackmail us into visiting her?’
‘No, I just wanted to remind you of your own words.’
‘They were spoken under a false estimation of your character!’
‘None the less, my grandmother did you a good service today. As for your friend, Mr Hoxley would have continued to pursue her whether I’d accompanied him to your shop or not. In some ways, it was my involvement that saved her.’
‘You have a strange sense of logic, sir.’
‘Perhaps, but the situation has been resolved, has it not?’
‘Get out!’
‘I’m leaving.’ He stepped out onto the street. ‘However, in case you change your mind, my grandmother is currently renting a house on the Circus. Number Twelve. Tea is at four o’clock sharp.’
‘A time when many of us are still working!’ Anna threw him a look that she hoped conveyed a suitable degree of contempt before slamming the door in his face.
* * *
‘Don’t you like your mutton?’
‘Mmm?’ Anna looked up from the plate where she was absently pushing her food around with a fork. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, Mama, it’s good. I just have something on my mind.’
‘Anything I can help with?’
‘I’m not sure...’ She glanced towards the clock on the mantelpiece. It had been five hours since Captain Delaney had visited and revealed his true colours. Time enough to decide what to do, but her thoughts had been too much preoccupied with reliving their conversation, hearing his words over and over in her head. She still felt as angry as she had when she’d heard them the first time, but now the sense of humiliation was even worse. The horrible familiarity of it all made her feel sick.
She didn’t want to mention the invitation he’d brought either, but judging by what she’d witnessed of his grandmother, she doubted she had any choice. She couldn’t risk her mother being caught off guard and she could hardly barricade her upstairs if the old battle-axe came calling, which seemed a strong possibility. And she did owe her a debt of sorts. Perhaps just telling her mother about the invitation would be enough to discharge it...
‘Mama, have you ever met Lady Jarrow?’
‘My goodness, what a strange question!’ Her mother lowered the fork that was halfway to her mouth. ‘Yes, I knew her when I was a girl. She and my mother were friends. She used to visit the house and encourage us all to go riding. Why ever do you ask?’
