Page 65 of A Lady in Name

The atmosphere was chilly, to say the least. Lucy might have expected Lord Sarclet to be expansive, for he had the son he craved. Not only had Dion informed Lucy of his lordship’s long disappointed desire for a boy, but Paulina herself, during lucid intervals, had said much of her hopes of pleasing her husband with a son. But whatever delight Lord Sarclet had manifested had dissipated by the time Lucy entered the Red Saloon in company with Dion.

She had been chivvied into washing and changing her dress, and felt obliged to apologise for keeping everyone waiting. “I’m afraid I fell asleep.”

“A good thing too,” Stefan said warmly.

Mrs Ankerville had pointed an accusing finger at Lucy. “You are born into the wrong age, Lucinda. You would have done very well in the Middle Ages, for women in that time were expected to assist each other with everything concerning confinements. It was a rough age, and —”

“Yes, yes, Mama,” hurriedly interposed Dion, “but should we not go into the dining parlour?”

“— there was no purchase in being delicate,” continued Mrs Ankerville, as if Dion had not spoken, but she moved to Lucy and put a hand through her arm, leading her towards the door. “There were no doctors on call the way there are now, and women had to have knowledge of the lore of healing, among all the other things that fell to their lot.”

Her dissertation lasted well into the first course, and was only interrupted at last by Stefan, who cut in without ceremony, addressing himself to Lord Sarclet, in the tone reserved for moments of irony that Lucy at least recognised. “Have you no word of gratitude for Miss Graydene, Thomas?”

Lord Sarclet was seated opposite to Lucy, with Dion on his right. She had been aware of him studiously avoiding her gaze, and could not help feeling embarrassed by Stefan’s probing.

He cleared his throat, shoving his head forward and allowing his bulbous eyes to rest on Lucy for a brief moment. “Naturally. Obliged to you.”

There was a silence stiff with unspoken feeling. Dion’s eyes sparked, and catching a glimpse of Stefan, Lucy saw his frown intensify. She hurried into speech.

“There is no need. I would have done the same for anyone.”

Lord Sarclet cleared his throat again, but did not speak, addressing himself to his plate.

“How is Paulina faring?” asked Mrs Ankerville. Lucy blessed her for saving the day, and thankfully resumed her own meal.

“She is recovering well, I am relieved to say,” said Lord Sarclet. “Crick thinks she may be able to be moved in a week or two.”

“A week or two!”

The exclamation came from Dion. Lucy glanced up, fearful of hearing her cousin protest outright. Fortunately, Stefan intervened.

“We will of course be happy for Paulina to remain until she is completely recovered.”

Lord Sarclet looked across at him, and then at Lucy, catching her eye briefly before he turned his attention back to his plate. “I fear that may depend.”

“Upon what?” asked Dion, looking puzzled.

“Paulina is wishful of returning home as soon as possible.”

“She would do better to remain here,” pronounced Mrs Ankerville in judicious tones. “It is never wise to travel too soon after one’s confinement. The jolting of the carriage can be excessively uncomfortable.”

Lord Sarclet was looking mulish. “I dare say, but under the circumstances, I must confess myself in sympathy with my wife’s wishes.”

Lucy caught a flash from the man’s eyes directed at herself. A sensation of dismay ripped through her like a shock of icy water, settling in a pool in her stomach. She had not far to seek for Lady Sarclet’s reason.

Stefan was the first to break silence, an edge to his voice. “To just what circumstances do you allude, cousin?”

Lord Sarclet sniffed. “I think you understand me perfectly, Pennington.”

“I hope very much that I do not.”

The edge was now pronounced, a riffle of anger lending coldness to Stefan’s voice. Lucy began to feel sick with dread and upset. She caught Dion’s lively look of question, and prayed she would keep her mouth shut. It had not occurred to Lucy to fear Mrs Ankerville.

“I see what it is,” she said, in a perfectly matter-of-fact way. “Paulina has told you of Lucinda’s relationship to her. I suppose there was no hope but the matter would cause you to hold up your nose in that stuffy way.”

Lucy bit her lip to stop herself from screaming. She could see Stefan’s tight-lipped fury and Dion’s open-mouthed shock.

“It is true,” said Lord Sarclet, his tone measured but peevish. “My wife confided the matter to me the moment she felt sufficiently recovered to converse. I may say I was shocked by the revelation, but more so by your action in admitting such a person into your establishment, Pennington.”