Page 36 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

“Yes, it was clever to bring up Adam,” Carlisle agreed. “If there is anyone whom Lady Lockwood loved, it was Adam.”

“I don’t know how Annabeth puts up with her,” Nathan grumbled.

“I suppose because she must,” Carlisle said.

Noelle was grateful for Lady Drewsbury’s lessons in their familial relationships, or else she would have been at sea in their conversation. Annabeth’s mother, Martha, Lady Drewsbury’s sister, had been left penniless on her husband’s death, throwing both her and Annabeth onto the charity of Lady Lockwood. Martha had remarried and escaped her mother’s dominion, but Annabeth had remained with her grandmother.

“She could go to her mother’s house,” Nathan protested. “Surely living with her stepfather cannot be as bad as living with Lady Lockwood.”

“Lady Drewsbury would welcome Annabeth, as well,” Carlisle added. “But you can imagine how well either of those would sit with Lady Lockwood, and she rules that family with an iron hand. Even Lord Lockwood is terrified of her.”

Nathan’s snort indicated his opinion of Lady Lockwood’s nephew, who now held the title. “Yes, I suppose we must be grateful that Annabeth’s grandmother lets her off the leash once or twice a year to visit Lady Drewsbury.”

“Stay and have tea with us,” Carlisle told his friend. “Or I can fortify you with something a bit stronger.”

“Good Gad, no. I’m going to press on to the manor. I have things to do—see my attorney, talk to the estate manager...um, and other things.”

“Ah, yes. Duty calls,” Carlisle said dryly. “Especially when Lady Lockwood is here. You know your invitation is always open—the more targets Lady Lockwood has, the less pain each recipient endures.”

Nathan sighed. “Yes, I know. The only redeeming feature of today’s journey was knowing that poking at me saved Annabeth a few jabs. I’ll come tomorrow for tea, if you like.”

As Nathan turned to go back to the waiting carriage, Carlisle said, “Take one of my horses instead of that coach. It’ll help blow away your irritations.”

“Thank you. I’ll send one of my grooms back with your horse.” Nathan grinned. “It will be a relief not to get back in that vehicle. Lady Lockwood wouldn’t have so rough a ride if she would buy a better-sprung carriage.”

There was the sound of voices and the thud of Lady Lockwood’s cane behind them, and they turned to see Lady Lockwood descending the staircase, the little dog running around her skirts. Noelle tensed, expecting at any moment for Petunia to trip up Lady Lockwood and send her tumbling down the steps. Adeline fluttered along beside her mother, and Annabeth brought up the rear of the procession, carrying a shawl and a bag, as well as an embroidery hoop.

“I must say, Adeline, it’s a bit late to be having tea,” Lady Lockwood announced in ringing tones. “I’m famished.”

“I wasn’t sure when to expect you.” The pleasant tone of Adeline’s voice was strained. “And then you wished to go to your chambers first.”

“Naturally. One must freshen up after a long journey.” They turned at the landing and the older woman’s eyes fell on Carlisle and Noelle standing in the hall below them. “Ah, there you are,” she said as if she had been searching for them.

She continued downward at a regal pace, but Petunia, spotting her prey, launched herself down the steps. Carlisle ignored the dog’s frantic attack on his feet and moved to the bottom of the staircase to offer Lady Lockwood his arm.

She took a strong grip on him, saying, “At least your mother drilled good manners into you, however unreliable she was.”

The countess closed her eyes, one hand going to her temple. It wasn’t the last time Noelle would see her make that gesture. Lady Lockwood kept the company on alert throughout tea; one never knew when she was going to send a barb or a pointed question winging one’s way. Carlisle deflected her comments with the ease of long practice. Adeline grimly endured her mother’s conversation, her smile turning more and more wooden as teatime wore on. Annabeth said little, probably grateful that a new set of victims kept Lady Lockwood’s attention off her. She spent most of her time hurrying over to pick up Petunia, who lost interest in Carlisle’s boots and took to gnawing on the legs of various pieces of furniture.

Most of Lady Lockwood’s questions were addressed to Noelle. With long experience at dealing with wealthy and demanding customers, Noelle kept her annoyance leashed and answered the woman with the same polite firmness with which she had addressed her earlier. In the end, Lady Lockwood, after a long, considering look, said, “Well, at least you’re presentable.”

“Mother!” Adeline blushed.

Noelle, however, didn’t care about the old woman’s casual insult. What mattered was that it appeared the woman would not engage in any social campaign against Noelle or harangue poor Lady Drewsbury about her—at least not any more than she already did. Noelle suspected that with Lady Lockwood, equal acidity was the best one could hope for.

“Well, Adeline?” Lady Lockwood said as tea drew to a close. “Where is this boy?”

“Gil?” Adeline asked, tensing.

“Yes, of course, Gil—a dreadfully common name; you must call him Gilbert. He is the reason I came all this way. One might think that my daughter would have presented my great-grandchild to me when he first arrived in London.” She fixed a beady gaze on Adeline.

“I fear I am the reason for that,” Carlisle interjected smoothly. “I thought it was most important to settle Gil in here at the Hall. Introduce him to everyone gradually, so that he isn’t overwhelmed.”

Lady Lockwood transferred her steely gaze to him. “I am not everyone, my boy. And I must remind you that you are not even his relative.”

“True,” he said equably. “I am his guardian.”

Lady Lockwood waved a dismissive hand. “It’s all water under the bridge now; no use in talking about it. However, having learned of his presence in your letter, Adeline, I came posthaste to see him, and I cannot but wonder why I have not yet met him.”