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Becky glanced at Theo, then back at Mama, her disappointment palpable even as she said politely, “Of course, ma’am. I understand.”
“We shall do something special,” Theo assured.
“Girls in mourning shouldn’t hold parties of any significance,” Seraphina said to no one in particular. “But it seems certain things are done differently in such rural locations.”
This was said with a pointed look that Theo knew precisely what she referred to, Seraphina’s earlier comment about Theo’s impropriety still burning in her chest. Perhaps she had erred. Perhaps it would behoove her to forgo his company as much as she might like—oh, she couldneverhave his company for as long as she liked! But it was not to be. It should not be. Even as she had to endure another’s. “How long will we have the pleasure of your visit, sister dear?”
“I do not know what business it is of yours,” Seraphina said, bristling.
“But it does concern me.” Grandfather’s fork clattered on the table. “Well? What is the answer?”
“I, that is, we”—Seraphina gave another foolish giggle as she slanted a glance at her silent husband—“have not decided quite yet.”
“Hmph. You come here and expect me to put you up indefinitely?”
“Oh no, sir, it is not like that,” Seraphina said quickly.
“Then what is it like?” He glanced at Roger, whose complacent—or was it bored?—expression had barely changed the entire meal. “What have you got to say for yourself?”
Roger placed his fork down and wiped his mouth.
Why had she never noticed how fastidious and particular he was? Had he always been that way?
“Well?” Grandfather demanded. “Are you going to speak or let your wife do all your talking?”
Roger cleared his throat. “We had hoped to stay for a few weeks.”
“At my expense? You expect me to put you up and feed you?”
Roger’s lips thinned, his expression souring as he glanced across the table at his wife. Almost as if he blamed her for being here.
To be fair, he wouldn’t be if it weren’t for Seraphina’s machinations.
“Whatever happened to your job, Roger dear?” Mama asked, her handkerchief quivering like a restless bird. “You were working at a bank, were you not?”
His features tightened. “A solicitor’s office.”
“And they do not want you?” Grandfather’s voice held an edge.
Roger shot him a quick look, before saying slowly, “My time there has come to an end.”
Why? How? These questions burned. And why did he keep casting his wife resentful glances?
Perhaps there was more to this sudden reappearance than what Theo had realized after all.
Chapter 18
“Well, my dears. I am so pleased to see things are being settled as they ought here at Stapleton.” Lady Bellingham offered an approving smile. “I shall write to Amelia the moment I am home.”
News Amelia would likely little care for, but such was Lady Bellingham’s way. Her call upon Mama had consisted mostly of exclamations about delight at Seraphina’s return, strong hints the event should be celebrated with a special dinner or a ball, and reiteration of the veiled warnings about entertaining strangers and how one’s reputation must be preserved above all else, which met with Mama’s usual vacillations of fluster and complaisance.
Theo had held her breath half the visit. Would the squire’s wife have the effrontery to demand to see their guest? The other half she had spent praying when it seemed the conversation would steer that way. Fortunately, such an audacious request as to wish to see the supposed servant lying in the best guest chamber was not made, and the distraction of a curricle passing the window—when few such grand vehicles deigned to venture down their drive—soon brought the prior conversation to a halt.
“I wonder who that can be?” uttered Lady Bellingham, with a glance at Theo.
Seraphina put aside Mama’s old copy of a periodical and moved to peer out the window, lacking the decorum one might expect. “It’s a young man. He …” She drew back the curtain a little more. “He is dressed in regimentals! Is he here to see Grandfather, do you think?”
“Oh my goodness!” Lady Bellingham turned to Becky with wide eyes. “Do you think he is your uncle, child? Oh, do take a closer look. You would surely recognize him if that were the case, would you not?”
