Page 5 of His Revelation
But Mother wouldn’t be Mother without the ability to brush off any judgement which didn’t meet her standards. She regained her equilibrium remarkably quickly. “Oh, poo, Lord Blah-blah-blah! I am certain ye understand I mean no disrespect to your family. But you have to admit that finishing school did not accomplish what was necessary when it came to Lady Athena.”
Mortified by the insult, with Athena sittingright there, her smile frozen in place, Tiffany realized she was leaning away from her mother, trying to distance herself.
“My sister is an intelligent, brave, strong-minded young lady, and I admire her greatly,” Lysander bit out coldly.
“Yes, of course you would think that.” Mother smiled tightly at Athena. “But even you would admit, Lady Athena, that you are not exactly the model of propriety a young lady should aspire to be.”
Tiffany resisted the urge to groan and pinch the bridge of her nose.
SurelyMother couldn’t bethissnobbish?
Was she the only one who could see Lysander’s hands tightening on the arms of his chair? Was he about to launch himself across the tea setting to strangle her mother?
“I am certain you all must love your sweet nephew very much!” Tiffany burst out, the only thing she could think to do to defuse the situation. Unfortunately, her attempt only drew Lysander’s attention back onto her once more.
His changeable eyes were bright with anger when he raked his gaze over her. “Indeed,” he finally bit out, and she could see him relaxing his hold as he inhaled slowly. “Wee Callan is a wonderful lad.”
“The light of our lives,” Athena agreed stiffly.
Mother merely sniffed again as she leaned forward to place her empty cup delicately on the table.
“Really, Tiffany, bringing up such a topic in polite company. I thought you knew better than that.”
Her scold might be half-hearted, but Tiffany did her best to hide her incredulity—and hurt—that her mother would blame her for such a faux pas.
Luckily, Lysander came to her rescue. “Why no’ tell us more about Da’s fascinating library plans?” he suggested.
As Athena—still glaring at Mother—began to describe her father’s efforts, which were aided by Lady Dumpkins, Tiffany felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. She exhaled and sent Lysander a grateful smile.
But his hard stare told her he hadn’t forgiven her for what she’d done wrong.
CHAPTER 2
“What in thehellwas that all about?”
Lysander had just returned from escorting the ladies out, gratefully depositing them with the butler, when his sister jumped down his throat. “Pardon?”
Athena wasn’t buying his innocent act. “Yewere the one who insisted we invite the Oliphant ladies to tea, Lysander! By the saints, I have never met a more distasteful old lady,” she added with a shudder as she sank into one of the abandoned chairs. “Did ye hear the way she lit into her daughter like that? Whenshewas the one at fault?”
“Her daughter is equally to blame, I’m certain,” Lysander said stiffly, as he stalked across the room.
“How could ye say that? Miss Tiffany was quieter than usual, aye, but perfectly polite and?—”
Lysander interrupted her with a snort when he reached the drinks cabinet. “Tiffany Oliphant isfarfrom quiet and polite. She is as much a viper as her mother.”
“Then why would ye insist on inviting them to tea?” Athena groaned and rubbed her temples. “I have enjoyed Tiffany’s company when we have met at few house party events we happened to be attending, but I assume ye have a reason. Bonnie is a kind and?—"
“Miss Bonnie is no’ interesting to me,” Lysander growled, as he poured enough whisky to cover the bottom of the glass.
“But Tiffany is?”
In order to avoid answering his sister, Lysander tossed back the liquor, holding it against his tongue for a moment to relish the flavor—and the burn—before swallowing.
“Lysander, ye do no’ have to answer, but I would no’ mind kenningwhyI had to spend my afternoon in such awkward straits. Ye ken I do no’ like to leave Newfincy—and Callan—if I can help avoid it.”
Staring down at the empty glass, Lysander knew his sister had done him a favor, and was owed an explanation. “There was a time I thought Tiffany was the woman for me, Athena. Circumstances have since changed, and I realize I was wrong.”
“So ye invited them today to…what? To be certain?”
