Page 33 of Lady Graceless
“Very good,” Lady Margaret said. “I’ll write the first one and then you write me back. Write whatever is on your mind, poppet.”
“Grace,” Valor said, “Lady Margaret is my new friend and we are going to write to each other. I’m to get letters.”
“That’s very kind, Lady Margaret,” Grace said. “I do hope though, that you know you are welcome to come to us in person at any time.”
“Careful, my dear,” Lady Margaret said, “I may well take you up on that.”
“As well, we hope you will attend us at dinner on Tuesday?”’ Grace asked. “Lord Dashlend kindly accepted my father’s invitation when we met by the seaside.”
“Delighted.”
Lord Dashlend had remained standing and Grace very well knew why. The time had elapsed for a call a quarter hour ago.
“Lady Margaret, we’d best take our leave,” Lord Dashlend said.
“As you wish,” Lady Margaret said, outstretching her hand. Lord Dashlend pulled her to her feet.
All five sisters, and Nelson too, followed them out to the pavement and waved them off. Grace thought it might have been obvious or forward or not exactly right to do so. Perhaps she ought to have stayed in the drawing room and pretended disinterest in the departure. But then, it seemed to be well received.
*
LADYMARGARET HADbeen settled into the carriage and Miles had climbed in after her. Lady Grace and her five sisters, along with the three-legged dog, waved them off.
“Lovely people,” Lady Margaret said.
“Yes, I believe so,” Miles said.
“I sized them up the minute I walked into the drawing room. Do you know how I did it?”
“You ascertained that they were well-dressed and courteous?” Miles ventured.
“No. Anybody can throw on decent clothes and manners. I knew they were good people because they have a three-legged dog who is obviously delighted with his circumstances.”
“Ah, the dog. They found him at an inn. He also seems to be blind in one eye.”
“Even better,” Lady Margaret said.
“Is it?”
“Of course it is. There are opportunities, from time to time, to glimpse a person’s character, or even a whole family’s character. Another family might have kicked such a dog out of their way and passed it by, never thinking of it again. Yet another family might have felt bad and paid for its upkeep. Another family might have gone so far as to relegate him to their stables in the countryside. This dog, though, is living the life of a lord in the family’s drawing room in Town.”
“I hadn’t thought… theywerevery sentimental about his case. They could not bear the idea that he was living on scraps. Scraps were mentioned more than once.”
“As I said, lovely people. Well! I will be most interested in attending this dinner. I would like to get a look at the duke. Even in my relative isolation I’ve heard he’s a bit of a corker.”
“Yes, the duke does lean toward the eccentric,” Miles said, thinking Lady Margaret was not so far behind on that quality.
“I’ll have to speak to… what is that girl’s name again?”
“What girl?”
“My new maid who used to burn the toast.”
“Ah, I believe it is Meg.”
“Yes, that’s it, Meg. I’ll have to speak to her about what sort of dress can be dug up and have her polish my jewelry. Gwen can direct her on how it’s done. I’ll want to look my best. Goodness, I have some smashing dresses stored away. Time to dig them out and don the armor for battle once more. Your dear mother is at home in the country caring for your father and his gout—somebody has got to keep them informed on your progress.”
“My progress? No, really I do not think that is at all necessary,” Miles said, alarmed that Lady Margaret was going to send letters home describing his activities.
