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‘We’ve met.’ Although judging by the belligerent tone of her voice, she wasn’t overly thrilled by the fact.
‘Lady Jarrow.’ The mother spoke again, her voice sounding even warmer by contrast. ‘What a pleasure it is to see you again after so many years. I was delighted to receive your invitation.’
‘Indeed.’ His grandmother’s eyes lingered briefly on the daughter, making it obvious that her tone and reluctance to curtsy hadn’t gone unnoticed. ‘You must have been all of eighteen the last time I saw you.’
‘I believe I was nineteen.’
‘Well, take a seat beside me. We have a lot to talk about and, as you can see, tea is all ready.’ Her gaze shifted back towards Miss Fortini. ‘Perhaps your daughter will be good enough to pour? If she’ll oblige me, that is?’
Samuel winced, struck with the ominous mental image of two bulls locking horns. One of the bulls had youth, vitality and a decidedly obstinate chin, but the other had experience, indomitability and the advantage of home territory. There was a lengthy pause before the younger finally succumbed, appearing to grit her teeth as she spoke.
‘It would be my pleasure.’
‘It would be my pleasure, my lady.’
‘Miss Fortini.’ Samuel stepped forward, blocking her view of his grandmother’s gloating expression, though unfortunately not her words. ‘I’m pleased that you chose to accept the invitation after all.’
‘Yes. Who would have poured the tea otherwise?’
‘Anna.’ Her mother’s murmur was reproving. ‘We’re guests here.’
Fortunately, before anyone else could speak, the drawing-room door opened again and his grandfather entered the room, his arrival drawing a gasp from Miss Fortini.
‘The bee man!’ Her confrontational attitude fell away at once.
‘Miss Anna.’ His grandfather made a surprisingly gallant bow. ‘How delightful to see you here. Not wearing yellow today, eh?’
‘No, but...’ She looked between him and the Baroness with an expression of consternation. ‘Forgive me, but I had no idea...’
‘That such a delightful old man was married to a harridan like me?’ His grandmother’s tone was even more gloating than before. ‘Yes, most people are surprised when they find out. Hector, come and meet Elizabeth.’
‘I hope that you haven’t closed your shop up especially for us?’ Samuel tried interceding again.
‘Of course I—’ Miss Fortini stopped mid-sentence, digging her teeth into her bottom lip as if she were actually biting back words before shaking her head. ‘We close at four o’clock anyway. It was only a little early.’
‘None the less, we really can’t ask you to serve us after you’ve been working all day. I believe that I’m perfectly capable of wielding a teapot.’ He gestured towards a sofa, waiting until she’d sat down before proceeding to pour and hand out the teacups himself, stifling a smile as she shot a particularly pointed look across the room towards his grandmother.
‘There we are.’ He took the last cup for himself and then headed towards the sofa. ‘May I join you, Miss Fortini?’
‘It’s not my house. You may sit where you like.’
‘True, but I thought perhaps we might be civil to each other.’ He sat down, pretending not to notice the way her body tensed beside him. ‘Would you care for a piece of cake?’
‘No, thank you.’
‘Naturally we wanted to serve Belles, but I’m afraid they’ve all been eaten. I’m not sure who ate the most, me or my grandfather.’
‘Well, at least I can’t fault your good taste.’
He inclined his head, wondering if she were ever going to relent. ‘May I ask what changed your mind about coming today?’
‘I didn’t. It was my mother’s decision.’
‘Ah. Then I’m glad you told her about the invitation. I wasn’t sure that you would.’
She gave him a sharp look. ‘I admit I was surprised that she wanted to come, but she remembered your grandmother and thought it might be entertaining.’
‘She obviously remembers her well. She likes you, by the way.’
