Page 31 of Pride of Lyons

Thanks to Paxton and Miss Potter, Honoria came down the main staircase to dinner dressed in a lovely gown of pale blue silk with a lacy white overlay. The low neckline showed off her bosom to her advantage and was trimmed with darker blue-ribbon rosettes. The bottom of the gown was drawn up and festooned with silk flowers and lace around the edge. Honoria could scarcely take in her appearance when Paxton was finally done pinning her hair up in an elegant coiffure. She only hoped Thomas thought it looked as beautiful as she did.

As she reached the landing and started down the final steps to the entry hall, Thomas appeared, elegantly attired in black with a cream-colored waistcoat and snowy white cravat tied in an elaborate knot. He stood at the bottom of the stairs, staring up at her, his eyes wide, his mouth slightly agape.

Honoria tilted her head back slightly, proud that her appearance seemed to have made a favorable impression on him. When she reached the bottom step, she curtsied. “Good evening, my lord. I trust you had a pleasant ride today.”

Unmoving, Thomas continued to stare at her as though he could not take his gaze from her. At last, he seemed to recollect himself and bowed to her. “Good evening, my lady. ‘Mine eyes dazzle.’” He offered his arm. “You are absolutely stunning, Honoria. I am in awe of you.”

Unaccustomed to such expansive compliments, she ducked her head. “Thank you, Thomas.”

“And to answer your question, yes, it was an excellent ride, and the errand taken care of to my satisfaction.” He led her into the dining room and sat her at the end of the long dining table, then took his seat next to her. “I took the liberty of arranging the place settings as before, so we will be close enough to talk to one another without becoming hoarse by the end of the evening.”

Honoria smiled, but her mind had fixated on his comment about the “errand” he’d discharged today. He’d changed his will. She tried to persuade herself that it was nothing more than a precaution, that preparing for an eventuality did not mean the thing would come to pass. “Thank you, Thomas. I’d feel quite foolish shouting to you from the far end of the table.”

“We would seem mad shouting back and forth.” He chuckled, laying his napkin in his lap, then leaned over toward her. “I’d much rather have an intimate dinner, wouldn’t you?”

His proximity made Honoria’s heart race and her knees wobbly—even sitting down. She smiled back and twisted her napkin in her hands. Wanting to keep his attention squarely on her, she leaned close to him and whispered, “That I would. There are so many appetites to be satisfied tonight.”

Thomas’s eyes darkened, and he grasped her hands. “Would you prefer to have our dinner served upstairs—”

Pearce entered and strode to the end of the table. “Lord Longford, Lord Rochdale, Lady Rochdale, and Mr. Pratt, my lord.”

Chapter Fifteen

Following at the butler’s heels, Lord Longford paced toward them, not stopping until he towered over her husband. “Are you out of your mind?”

Thomas rose as his sister entered the room. “Good evening, Joanna.” He tossed his napkin onto the table and went forward to kiss her cheek. “Geoffrey, Rochdale.” He nodded to the final gentleman, who must be Mr. Pratt. “I am afraid you have the advantage of me, sir.”

“Mr. John Pratt is your surgeon, Thomas.” Lord Longford looked as though he’d bitten into a lemon. “Mr. Pratt, this is Lord Braeton. You are here at his behest.”

“Your servant, sir.” Thomas bowed, then turned to his sister, a kinder look in his eyes. “I am astonished at the good time you made from London. We did not expect you all until at least tomorrow.” He took Lady Rochdale’s hand. “You must wish to recover from so arduous a journey, my dear. We can wait for you to go change for dinner, or I can have a tray sent up for you.”

Lady Rochdale looked her brother in the eyes and waved the idea of a tray away. “I would not miss this encounter for the world, Thomas.” She turned to Honoria and smiled. “Neither would I be deprived of your wife’s company. You are looking well, Lady Braeton, despite the current uproar.”

“Thank you, my lady.” Shaking off her surprise at their guests’ unexpected appearance, Honoria returned the smile. She had liked Lady Rochdale when she’d met her at their wedding. “Will you change at least?”

Her sister-in-law shook her head. “I refuse to miss a word.”

“James,” Thomas called to the footman standing behind him. “Please have four more place settings fetched immediately. Joanna, will you sit next to Lady Braeton?” He pulled out the chair on Honoria’s opposite side. “I am certain you two will have as much to discuss as the gentlemen.”

“Thank you, brother.” She grinned at Thomas before sitting. “You know my mind well.”

“Gentlemen, please take seats on either side.” Thomas nodded to the footman. “I will remove to the opposite end of the table.”

While the men quickly sat, the footmen set places before them. Once the first course was served to everyone, Thomas began again. “Thank you, Geoffrey, for coming as swiftly as possible.” Thomas frowned as he took his seat. “I would not have believed you could have reached us so swiftly. I dispatched the footman only yesterday afternoon. How do you come to be here in less than a day?”

“Your footman proved an exemplary courier. He said he left here in the late afternoon and changed horses only once on the way. He arrived at my townhouse just after midnight, both he and the horse quite spent. I gave him half a crown for his swift service and suggest you do the same when he returns. Once I read your message, I lost no time in contacting Rochdale.”

“Roused me from a dead sleep at two in the morning.” Lord Rochdale spoke up, then took a deep draft of the wine.

“I collected the good doctor, and we left at daybreak. We’ve been traveling ever since.” Lord Longford took a long sip of his wine as well. “If you were going to challenge Danford, Thomas, you could have had the decency to do so in Town rather than the country. Would have saved us a deucedly uncomfortable journey.”

“I offered Danford the option of going to London, but he agreed the country is better for such things. More privacy, certainly. Thank you, James.”

The servant took away the first course, and two more footmen brought out the soup.

Thomas turned his head to peer at his sister. “I do not recall asking for my sister to accompany you.”

“As though I could stop her once she knew the circumstances,” Geoffrey grumbled. “She was adamant about coming to give your wife comfort during the ordeal.” He sighed. “I could not find an argument against that.”