fleeting sense of satisfaction at the look on Lady Halliford’s face. People often had that look when they entered the house for the first time and saw her staircase.
It was a look of wonder, and sometimes, as was the case with her current guest, of envy.
“I had no idea you lived in such an elegant house, Miss Hillier. You should host a party here. I could help you with the arrangements.”
Phoebe dipped into a curtsey. “Good afternoon, Lady Halliford. How lovely to see you.”
Lady Halliford stopped short, and her small mouth pursed into a perfect O. She inclined her head. “And likewise, I’m sure.”
Behind her, Lewis’s lips twitched, and he closed the door with a flourish.
Aunt Dorothy shot Phoebe a look of horror. One did not point out a social superior’s lack of manners. “Won’t you take a seat, my lady. How gracious of you to visit.”
Lady Halliford gave her a nod and sank elegantly into a velvet armchair, looking at the low table around which the chairs were set in surprise. “You do not take cake with your afternoon tea?”
“We do, but I’m afraid you find us a little in disarray today. A new tea tray is coming.”
Phoebe caught her aunt’s eye and made sure she knew Phoebe would not countenance a single word about Sheldrake as she sat down, herself.
“I’m sure disarray is an understatement, Mrs. Patterson, although why just today? Surely since Sunday evening?” Lady Halliford smiled, eyes gleaming.
Phoebe stared at her, and Lady Halliford held the look for a moment before looking down, modestly, at her clasped hands in her lap. Her smile remained fixed in place.
“I beg your pardon?” Phoebe saw her aunt wince at the aggressive edge to her question.
Eyes shining even brighter, Lady Halliford lifted her head. “You and Sheldrake, of course.” She gave a little frown, as if confused.
“What about Sheldrake and I?”
“Oh, my dear girl.” Lady Halliford gave a little cluck, like a contented hen. “When I heard about how he threw you over and left the country, I was horrified. I felt it my duty to come and speak to you, and extend my commiserations. I would have come sooner, but this dreadful business with the prime minister delayed me until today.”
Phoebe could do nothing but sit mute.
Lady Halliford presided, plump and elegantly dressed in pink silk, artful ringlets framing her face; a perfectly sweet bonbon with a poison centre. “And from what a little bird told me this morning, you haven’t let the grass grow under your feet.” She lifted her eyebrows at Phoebe’s blank stare. “You and the Duke of Wittaker? I scarce think he’s been to a single respectable gathering this season, so I can’t imagine how you are acquainted enough for an early morning visit. But word is you are.” She gave a sugary smile.
Aunt Dorothy made a noise beside her. A little animal groan that she swallowed as soon as the sound emerged.
“I’d very much like to know how you came by your information.” At last her jaw loosened enough for speech, although her words were stilted. Phoebe had the small satisfaction of seeing Lady Halliford lose a little of the pink of excitement in her cheeks when she caught sight of Phoebe’s face.
“Why, it is all over town.”
“No, it isn’t.” Phoebe was quite sure of that.
“But…” Lady Halliford frowned again, although this time in genuine confusion. “I heard…”
“You find us unsettled because Lord Sheldrake is dead. He died yesterday. The Duke of Wittaker kindly took the time to inform me of the news this morning.”
For the first time, Lady Halliford looked out of her depth. “Dead…” She fiddled nervously with the rings on her fingers. “I wasn’t aware—”
“Weren’t you?” Phoebe kept her gaze fixed on Lady Halliford, but she would not look at her, now.
“No. How perfectly rude of you to suggest I would—”
“Who told you Sheldrake broke off our betrothal?” Phoebe’s question was sharp, cutting
It was a look of wonder, and sometimes, as was the case with her current guest, of envy.
“I had no idea you lived in such an elegant house, Miss Hillier. You should host a party here. I could help you with the arrangements.”
Phoebe dipped into a curtsey. “Good afternoon, Lady Halliford. How lovely to see you.”
Lady Halliford stopped short, and her small mouth pursed into a perfect O. She inclined her head. “And likewise, I’m sure.”
Behind her, Lewis’s lips twitched, and he closed the door with a flourish.
Aunt Dorothy shot Phoebe a look of horror. One did not point out a social superior’s lack of manners. “Won’t you take a seat, my lady. How gracious of you to visit.”
Lady Halliford gave her a nod and sank elegantly into a velvet armchair, looking at the low table around which the chairs were set in surprise. “You do not take cake with your afternoon tea?”
“We do, but I’m afraid you find us a little in disarray today. A new tea tray is coming.”
Phoebe caught her aunt’s eye and made sure she knew Phoebe would not countenance a single word about Sheldrake as she sat down, herself.
“I’m sure disarray is an understatement, Mrs. Patterson, although why just today? Surely since Sunday evening?” Lady Halliford smiled, eyes gleaming.
Phoebe stared at her, and Lady Halliford held the look for a moment before looking down, modestly, at her clasped hands in her lap. Her smile remained fixed in place.
“I beg your pardon?” Phoebe saw her aunt wince at the aggressive edge to her question.
Eyes shining even brighter, Lady Halliford lifted her head. “You and Sheldrake, of course.” She gave a little frown, as if confused.
“What about Sheldrake and I?”
“Oh, my dear girl.” Lady Halliford gave a little cluck, like a contented hen. “When I heard about how he threw you over and left the country, I was horrified. I felt it my duty to come and speak to you, and extend my commiserations. I would have come sooner, but this dreadful business with the prime minister delayed me until today.”
Phoebe could do nothing but sit mute.
Lady Halliford presided, plump and elegantly dressed in pink silk, artful ringlets framing her face; a perfectly sweet bonbon with a poison centre. “And from what a little bird told me this morning, you haven’t let the grass grow under your feet.” She lifted her eyebrows at Phoebe’s blank stare. “You and the Duke of Wittaker? I scarce think he’s been to a single respectable gathering this season, so I can’t imagine how you are acquainted enough for an early morning visit. But word is you are.” She gave a sugary smile.
Aunt Dorothy made a noise beside her. A little animal groan that she swallowed as soon as the sound emerged.
“I’d very much like to know how you came by your information.” At last her jaw loosened enough for speech, although her words were stilted. Phoebe had the small satisfaction of seeing Lady Halliford lose a little of the pink of excitement in her cheeks when she caught sight of Phoebe’s face.
“Why, it is all over town.”
“No, it isn’t.” Phoebe was quite sure of that.
“But…” Lady Halliford frowned again, although this time in genuine confusion. “I heard…”
“You find us unsettled because Lord Sheldrake is dead. He died yesterday. The Duke of Wittaker kindly took the time to inform me of the news this morning.”
For the first time, Lady Halliford looked out of her depth. “Dead…” She fiddled nervously with the rings on her fingers. “I wasn’t aware—”
“Weren’t you?” Phoebe kept her gaze fixed on Lady Halliford, but she would not look at her, now.
“No. How perfectly rude of you to suggest I would—”
“Who told you Sheldrake broke off our betrothal?” Phoebe’s question was sharp, cutting
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