A Crime of Manners by Rosemary Stevens Page B

table. “And I did so have
    hopes ...” She broke off, a tinge of pink coming into her cheeks.
    The colonel squeezed her hand. “Wonderful!”
    “But the difference in their stations ... It would be flying too high for Henrietta,” Lady Fuddlesby bemoaned.
    “Stuff! Am I to believe you feel your niece, my godson, or anyone for that matter, should place such things above love?”
    “They may not be in love.”
    “Yet. But I think there is every reason to believe that given a chance, they will find themselves well suited,” Colonel Colchester said slowly.
    “Whatever could they have fallen to brangling over?” Lady Fuddlesby wondered aloud. “Oh, but the scandal of their behavior!” Tears threatened again.
    “’Twill only be a nine days’ wonder, my lady. You know it to be true!” he stated at her doubtful expression. “The worst that will happen is Miss Lanford’s vouchers will be withdrawn, and she and the duke will be the subject of curious tittle-tattle. Then Society will find something else that will set their tongues wagging.”
    “I pray you have the right of it, Colonel. But what are we to do about our plans for the Peabodys’ breakfast? You had generously offered the escort of yourself and his grace....”
    “And we shall continue with those arrangements, my lady,” the colonel stated firmly, hoping his doubts about convincing the duke to follow a scheme he at present knew nothing about, and doubtless would not be happy to hear of, did not show on his face. “To be seen arriving together will do much to stay the rumors.”
    “Thank you, dear sir. I do not know what I should have done tonight without your reassuring company.” Lady Fuddlesby smiled at the colonel while they both rose, the colonel holding the lady’s hand.
    Knight arrived downstairs and entered the room. He saw the couple and vaulted to the top of the sofa next to them, hissing at Colonel Colchester.
    “Knight! Goodness, what are you about!” Lady Fuddlesby asked the cat in surprise.
    “Er, I shall take my leave now, my lady.” The colonel knew when to retreat. As he quit the room, he kept a wary eye on the hostile animal.
    After the colonel left, an obviously angry Knight escorted her ladyship to her bedchamber. Lady Fuddlesby scolded her pet severely, if uselessly, until they both fell into a troubled sleep.
    * * * *
    Henrietta slept late the next morning but did not feel refreshed upon awakening. She tried to banish the morose feeling weighing her down, but it was still present when she went downstairs and greeted her aunt in the breakfast room.
    “Good morning, my lady,” Henrietta began, eyes downcast. “I cannot think how to convey to you how terrible I feel about my disgraceful actions last night. I beg your forgiveness and give you my promise that from now on I shall be a perfect pattern of proper behavior.”
    Lady Fuddlesby rose from her chair and came to take Henrietta’s hands in hers. “There, there, my darling girl. You are young, and youth must be allowed its mistakes. Of course I forgive you!”
    Henrietta had to fight back the tears that formed in the back of her eyes at her aunt’s show of kindness and understanding. Her own mother had never behaved thus. “Thank you,” she managed.
    They took their seats at the table, and Lady Fuddlesby poured a cup of chocolate for her niece and placed a roll on a plate for her. “Now, dear, you must eat something, for though we are invited to ‘breakfast’ at the Peabodys’, a Society breakfast does not begin until three in the afternoon.”
    Henrietta drank some chocolate and asked, “Where do the Peabodys live?”
    “Well, my dear, of course, they have a town house here in Mayfair, but they also have an estate in Surrey where the gathering is being held,” she explained in a light tone. Marshalling her forces, she made her announcement. “Colonel Colchester has graciously offered the escort of himself and his godson. I am certain we will be conveyed in