‘Lady Fielding’s aunt,’ Lady Allingham answered, glancing at the girl. Her expression softened a little. Clearly she thoroughly approved of Lady Fielding. ‘I did not want Lady Forbes to worry about her niece.’
‘But of course,’ Eliza Hathaway nodded, having mentally followed the family connections in her head in a manner that her children always thought quite extraordinary. Mama always seemed to know everybody’s relationship to everybody else with astounding accuracy. ‘Casterton Lodge is not very far from Little Paddocks. I know your aunt quite well, my dear,’ she added to Lady Fielding. ‘A charming woman.’
From her window seat, Millie gave a small snort. She did not find the highly critical Lady Forbes in the least bit charming. The woman had expressed her views on the youngest Miss Hathaway’s demeanor on more than one occasion.
‘Indeed she is,’ Lady Allingham agreed, shooting a searching glance towards Millie. ‘I had not realized Mr. Carstairs’ estate to be in the area.’
Audrey was certain that Lady Allingham knew exactly where Harry’s house was. In fact, she was quite sure Judith Allingham knew everything there was to know about Audrey Hathaway and her family. When word had circulated that her son was interested in a Hathaway she would have made it her business to investigate Audrey’s antecedents fully. It there had been one aspect of refusing Roderick Allingham that had been a relief, it was that she would not have Judith Allingham as her mother-in-law.
‘Allingham is to wed Lady Fielding in the spring,’ the woman observed, a note of considerable satisfaction in her voice. ‘It is an excellent match.’
‘Thank you for pointing that out, Mother,’ Allingham muttered.
‘Congratulations,’ Isabella said warmly. ‘I am sure we all wish you both a great deal of happiness, Lady Fielding. Spring weddings are always so delightful.’
‘Thank you,’ the girl murmured softly. It was difficult to access her personality accurately, but she seemed rather shy for all that she was the daughter of a duke. Audrey didn’t envy her a life under the thumb of a domineering woman like Lady Allingham. There were some women who were gracious about stepping aside when their son’s new wives took the reins. Audrey doubted that Judith would be prepared to do anything of the kind.
I do hope he loves her. She is obviously very sweet natured but she will be trampled underfoot if Allingham doesn’t stand up for her.
Not that it had anything to do with her, of course. But she wished for Allingham to be happy, perhaps all the more fervently as she had rejected him.
With deliberation, Audrey fetched a stool and settled herself by the girl, determined to make her feel a little more comfortable. Harry rose and strolled over to hold out a hand to Lord Allingham. They shook, nodding that comfortable acknowledgement that was so peculiarly masculine.
‘Hellish weather, isn’t it? How did you go with the roads?’
It was an excellent tactic and, before long, the two men were chatting in the friendliest manner imaginable. It eased the tension of all but Lady Allingham who seemed uncertain of what tactic to take with this particular family. Audrey chatted determinedly to Beth Fielding, she had been christened Elizabeth but she explained to Audrey that nobody ever called her Elizabeth, it had always been Beth. As sweet as she was, the softer sobriquet suited her very well and Audrey found that she liked the girl a great deal. After a time, Mrs. Fumble brought in a large tea tray, followed by her husband carrying a second one to accommodate the expanded number of guests. Audrey reflected that it must be difficult, having to feed so many unexpected mouths but if the food provided was any indication, Mrs. Fumble was managing magnificently. Not that Judith Allingham looked particularly pleased. She cast a disparaging glance over the sandwiches and cake provided and wrinkled her patrician nose in fastidious displeasure.
‘Have you no cucumber, my good woman?’ she demanded of Mrs. Fumble, who looked flustered.
‘Why no, m’lady. T’isn’t the season for cucumbers. But that there is ginger cake, fresh made and I got you some nice ham on them sandwiches.’
Lady Allingham opened her mouth, probably preparing to dismiss these offerings but Millie got in first. She had laid her book aside when tea arrived and had come across to the table to peruse the afternoon’s offering.
‘Oh well done Mrs. F!’ she said, eying the food with pleasure. ‘More ginger cake. I do wish our cook was as clever as you.’
Mrs. Fumble visibly relaxed and smiled at Millie. ‘Oh you! Always talkin’ a person up, you are. You’ll be giving me ideas before too long.’
‘But she’s right, Mrs. Fumble,’ Harry assured the woman, accepting a slice of the ginger cake from his mother-in-law. ‘It’s a wonder you can manage such a feast with all of us here. We’re all very grateful.’ These last few words were said with a certain amount of emphasis. Lady Allingham did not look at all grateful but to everybody’s relief, she said no more.
It was a difficult afternoon, the early atmosphere of slumberous leisure having quite disappeared with the new arrivals. Lady Allingham complained a great deal and Millie, who had taken it in her head to disagree with almost everything the woman said, did not help the situation. If she found somebody particularly objectionable she would take it upon herself to be as contrary as possible and Lady Allingham’s voice grew progressively shriller the more Millie aggravated her. Audrey could hardly blame her sister for her dislike but she did wish she would be a little less controversial. Unfortunately, even Mama could not entirely quell her youngest child when she was in such a mood and Judith Allingham’s outlook became more baleful as the afternoon wore on. By four o’clock, Beth had excused herself to lay down in her bedchamber for a time and Lady Allingham followed shortly after, giving them a much needed respite.
‘Really, Millie,’ Audrey muttered, when the trailing hem of Lady Allingham’s silk skirts had swished irritably through the door, ‘you are being impossible!’
Millie arched an eyebrow. ‘She is really quite horrid. You know you think so too.’
‘I might think so but I wouldn’t dream of showing it,’ Audrey retorted.
Millie shrugged. ‘I am just a child,’ she said cheerfully. ‘One cannot expect a great deal from a child with dreadful manners.’
‘You are no longer a child but a young woman,’ her sister observed wryly. ‘One can only play that hand for so long, my love.’
Millie grinned. ‘I had better make the most of it then, hadn’t I?’
Lord Allingham remained in the parlor and it seemed that he relaxed a little when his mother removed herself and joined in the conversation a deal more readily. It relieved Audrey’s mind considerably to discover that, as the day wore on, he could actually engage her in conversation without any undue awkwardness tingeing their every word. Clearly his initial reaction had been brought on by the shock of seeing her again so unexpectedly.
It was approaching five in the afternoon when another knock came on the front door, causing the conversation in the parlor to pause.
‘Another visitor?’ Isabella observed wryly. ‘I believe we really will need a bigger parlor!’
‘Perhaps it is a local person,’ Harry suggested again. ‘Let’s hope so. They might be able to tell us the state of the roads by now if they’ve made it through.’
‘Ah, but from which direction?’ Lord Allingham said.
‘By now, I can’t say I care one way or the other,’ Harry confessed. ‘Any information would be welcome.’
Conversation stilled into silence as they all listened intently. Once again, there came the heavy tread of Mr. Fumble as he made his way down the passageway, heading for the front door. The creak of door hinges and another murmur of conversation, Fumble’s rumbling baritone and another, even deeper voice.