Page 46 of The Bridal Quest

Nor did she go down to supper early tonight, waiting instead until she heard Francesca leave her room, then joining her. In this way, she managed to avoid having to come face-to-face with Gideon before they all went in to supper. There, she knew, she would be distant enough from him that she would not have to talk to him.

Supper moved along at a glacial pace, seeming even slower due to the lack of conversation—except for that of Lady Odelia, of course, who could apparently always be counted upon to find something to talk about if she so desired.

Late in the course of the meal, however, Gideon spoke up, surprising everyone, as he had not joined the conversation before that point. "Grandmother, I should tell you that I have invited another guest to the party next week."

Irene saw little to shock anyone in such a pronouncement, but his words seemed to stun both Lady Radbournes, as well as Lady Pencully. The three of them turned to look at him, eyes wide and mouths ajar.

"I beg your pardon?" Lady Odelia said at last.

"I have invited one of my friends to join us next week. Piers Aldenham. The party is rather overweighted with ladies. It seemed a good idea to add another man to the group. After all, there will be dancing." When none of the women said anything, simply continuing to stare at him in amazement and, Irene thought, horror, Gideon continued blandly. "I have already informed the butler and housekeeper, of course, so you needn't worry about that. But I thought I should let you know, as well, as you might need to make adjustments to your plans."

After a long moment Lady Odelia said, "A friend of yours? What do you mean? Someone you knew—before?"

"Precisely. Mr. Aldenham and I have been friends for, oh, ten or so years, I should say. I will be pleased to introduce him to you."

Teresa and Pansy both turned to Lady Odelia, who looked back at them, eyebrows raised, then returned her gaze to Lord Radbourne.

"You cannot be serious," she told him flatly.

"Indeed, I am."

"That is absurd! You cannot introduce one of ... of ... those people you used to know to the people we have invited."

"I cannot?" Gideon's voice was mild, but Irene detected an iron tone that seemed to escape his great-aunt completely.

Irene glanced across the table at Francesca, who was watching the exchange with interest, then returned her gaze to Lady Odelia.

"No, of course not," Lady Odelia boomed, looking as if she thought she were on firmer ground now. "You should have consulted me before you asked him. I would have told you that it would not do. It is very good of you, I am sure, to remember those people, but you cannot expect them to mingle with our sort."

"Indeed. So they will shun him, you think?" He continued meditatively. "It is a good thing then, I suppose, that Piers is not easily cast down."

"No, Gideon. You misunderstand me. You cannot invite him. You must send another note, telling him not to come. Perhaps next time you are in London you may visit with him."

"No, Aunt." Gideon's voice was level, but his eyes were cold as stone. "I fear it is you who misunderstand. I have invited him. He is coming here."

Lady Odelia gaped at him. Finally she snapped her mouth shut with a clack, then said, "No. I forbid it."

"You forbid it?" Gideon repeated, but his silky tone did not deceive Irene.

Lady Odelia regarded her great-nephew sternly. The woman was, Irene thought, in for something of a surprise.

"My lady." Gideon leaned forward slightly, and his words, cool and careful, dropped like hard stones from his mouth. "I fear that I have given you the wrong impression. I have gone along with your plans for my future because they coincided with my own intentions. Unfortunately, my acquiescence seems to have given you the impression that I have turned over the running of my life and this household to you. Allow me to remind you that Radbourne Park belongs to me, and that you and everyone else in this room are staying here on my sufferance. I will invite who I want to this house whenever I choose to do so. And while I will show you the respect your age and familial ties deserve, I am not now and never will be subject to your command. Piers will arrive here next week, and I expect him to be treated with courtesy. I hope I have made myself clear."

Lady Odelia, for once in her life, had no answer. She simply stared at Gideon, gaping.

He waited for a moment, then inclined his head briefly. "Ladies. As I am the only man present tonight, I believe I will take my port in my study. Excuse me."

He rose and strode from the room.

The stunned silence continued after his departure. Finally Francesca took a sip of her wine, then said, "Well, one can certainly see the Lilles blood in him."

Irene let out a chuckle, quickly covering her mouth with her napkin.

"What are we to do?" Teresa wailed, looking wildly around the table.

"It doesn't seem to me that you have much choice," Irene commented.

"You!" Teresa whirled on her. "Oh, yes, it's well enough for you. You won't be the one who is humiliated."