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‘It’s an honour to meet you, my lady,’ Anna interrupted, making a stiff curtsy before he could announce their engagement, though the Countess merely lifted her eyebrows disapprovingly.
‘Have the two of you been for a morning walk?’ Her mother sounded as if she were trying to ease the heavy atmosphere of tension.
‘Yes, Mama.’ Anna took the seat a footman held out for her, appearing not to notice the Countess’s slight. ‘Captain Delaney wanted to show me the water garden. It was quite beautiful. We’ll have to go...’
The sound of a fist banging down onto the table made them all start.
‘My water garden.’ The muscles of Lady Staunton’s throat strained with tension. ‘My husband commissioned it as a wedding present for me.’
There were a few seconds of silence, none of them knowing quite how to respond before Mrs Fortini came to the rescue again.
‘What a charming gift. I’d like to go for a walk there myself later—with your permission, of course, Countess?’
‘You may.’ Lady Staunton twisted her head sharply to one side. ‘I wish I could go myself, but I find myself so often indisposed these days.’
‘I understand. I was always exhausted when I was carrying my children. Your housekeeper told us that you’ve been suffering from headaches, too. I hope that you’re feeling better this morning?’
‘A little, although my head still pains me a great deal.’
‘Have you seen a physician?’
‘A physician cannot heal what I suffer from. It is a malady of the soul and spirits.’
‘Of course, but perhaps you ought to try to get some fresh air for the baby’s sake?’
‘Perhaps, though the water gardens would likely still be too painful. My husband and I used to walk there every day when we were first married.’
Samuel cleared his throat, taking a seat at the opposite end of the table. ‘I was very sorry to receive word of his death. I understand it was a wasting disease. My sincere condolences, my lady.’
‘I’ve no interest in your condolences.’ Lady Staunton’s eyes narrowed perceptibly. ‘He would have been horrified by your presence here.’
‘I know it’s a difficult situation, but I assure you...’
‘Horrified!’ she repeated. ‘He remembered your father as a boy and he knew all about him as an adult, too. All about his debauchery and licentiousness. It appalled him that the son of such a man could be his heir! All he ever wanted was to have a son, to be sure that the future of Staunton was in safe hands, but I...’ Her voice trailed away for a few seconds and then returned again, even more vehemently. ‘To think of your whole distinguished family line coming down to a man like you!’
‘Quit
e.’ Samuel braced his hands on the table, resisting the impulse to get up and walk out. ‘I’ve had similar thoughts myself.’
‘It’s monstrous. A disgrace! You’ll ruin the estate before the year is out!’
‘I’m not my father, Lady Staunton.’
‘No?’ She looked accusingly between him and Anna. ‘Your behaviour seems quite similar in some respects.’
‘I assure you that my intentions towards Miss Fortini are perfectly honourable. In fact...’
‘Captain Delaney is the most honourable gentleman I’ve ever met...’ Anna interrupted again, her voice just as vehement as the Countess’s ‘...and I resent any insinuation to the contrary.’
‘And what exactly would you know about gentlemen?’ The Countess’s gaze flickered. ‘From what I understand you’re in trade.’
‘Yes, I’m a shopkeeper,’ Anna replied before Samuel could say anything. ‘As well as a baker. I make and sell biscuits. Often to gentlemen.’
‘Biscuits?’ The Countess put a hand to her throat with a shiver.
‘They’re quite famous in Bath, actually.’
‘I don’t care for Bath. I spent a winter there five years ago.’
