"Gifford, you should not say such things in front of Lady Chillhurst," Demetria said with a touch of desperation.
"Pay attention to your sister," Constance murmured.
"I'm only telling Lady Chillhurst the facts," Gifford stormed. "She ought to know the sort of man she married."
Olympia stared at Gifford. "Have you gone mad? My husband is no coward."
"Of course he's not," Demetria said quickly. "No one would dream of accusing Chillhurst of cowardice."
"Bah." Gifford's mouth tightened. "He's a coward, right enough."
Constance groaned. "I told you that it was not wise to accompany your brother on this call, Demetria."
"What was I supposed to do?" Demetria asked half under her breath. "He was bound and determined to come here today."
Olympia's headache was getting worse. "I believe I have had quite enough of entertaining callers this afternoon. I wish all of you would leave."
Demetria made soothing noises. "Please forgive my brother, Lady Chillhurst. He is of a hot-blooded temperament and quite protective of me. Gifford, you promised you would not cause a scene. Please apologize to Lady Chillhurst."
Gifford narrowed his eyes. "I will not apologize for the truth, Demetria."
"Apologize for your sister's sake, if nothing else," Constance said coolly. "I'm certain that none of us wants that old gossip resurrected. It will only cause a great deal of grief for all concerned." She paused delicately. "Beaumont would not be at all pleased to hear it."
Olympia noticed that the last comment appeared to have some effect. Gifford gave his sister and Constance a look of simmering frustration. Then he reluctantly turned to Olympia and inclined his head in a small bow.
"My apologies, madam."
Olympia had had enough. "I am not concerned with your apologies. As it happens, I am quite busy today. If you do not mind—"
"Do not think ill of us, Lady Chillhurst." Demetria adjusted her gloves. "It was all rather unpleasant at the time, but I have told Gifford often enough that what happened three years ago was for the best. Is that not correct, Constance?"
"Quite correct," Constance said. "If Chillhurst had not cried off the engagement, Demetria would never have married Beaumont. And I am convinced that she is far happier with him than she would ever have been with Chillhurst."
"There is no question about it." Demetria looked at Olympia. "Beaumont has been very good to me, madam. I am quite satisfied with my choice of husbands. I would not have you believing that I am pining after Chillhurst. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Gifford swore softly.
Olympia's head was throbbing very badly now. She wondered how a proper viscountess went about getting rid of unwanted guests in the parlor. She wished Chillhurst would return. He would know what to do.
"Tea, madam," Mrs. Bird announced from the doorway in her new, stentorian accents. "Shall I pour?"
Olympia looked up, grateful for the interruption. "Thank you, Mrs. Bird."
Mrs. Bird beamed as she lumbered triumphantly into the parlor. She clutched a massive tray ladened with what appeared to be every single piece of the ancient tea service that had come with the house. A smaller woman would have collapsed beneath the weight of the heavy, chipped crockery.
She set the tray down on a small table and went to work with a great deal of energy. Cups and saucers clattered. Spoons clashed.
Demetria and Constance eyed the tea tray and Mrs. Bird with some trepidation. Gifford's smile was derisive.
Olympia decided to make another attempt to clear the parlor of intruders.
"Do you know," she announced with grim determination, "I have not been feeling at all well this afternoon. I do not particularly care what the rest of you do, but I am going upstairs to my bedchamber immediately."
Everyone turned to gaze at her in astonishment.
"Here now, I just brung the tea," Mrs. Bird complained in an aggrieved tone. She hefted the heavy pot. "Ain't no one leavin' here until they've had a proper cup."
"I do not believe we have time for tea," Demetria said quickly. She rose from the sofa.
"No, indeed." Constance got to her feet. "We must be on our way."
"Don't ye fret, I'll pour it real quick-like." Mrs. Bird filled one of the cups and shoved it at Demetria. "Here ye go."
Demetria automatically reached for the cup and saucer. She failed to get a grip on it before Mrs. Bird let go of it.
The cup teetered and toppled. Tea splashed on Demetria's lovely blue gown. She gave a soft cry and stepped back hurriedly.
"Oh, dear," Olympia said in resignation.
"This gown was delivered only yesterday." Demetria brushed angrily at the damp spots. "It cost a fortune."
Constance produced a lacy white handkerchief and started to dab at the stains on Demetria's gown. "It's all right, Demetria. Beaumont will buy you a dozen new gowns."
"That is hardly the point, Constance." Demetria gave Mrs. Bird a disgusted glance. "The woman is incompetent, Lady Chillhurst. Why on earth do you tolerate her on your staff ?"
"Mrs. Bird is an excellent housekeeper," Olympia said loyally.
" 'Course I am." Mrs. Bird waved the teapot in a threatening manner. "I work for a genuine viscount, don't I?" Tea splashed onto the carpet.
"Good lord," Constance said with awed amusement. "This is really quite extraordinary. Wait until we see our friends at the Newburys' card party this evening. They will not believe the tale."
"You have no right to gossip about us," Olympia snapped. She got to her feet and gathered herself for another eviction attempt.
A series of loud yelps sounded out in the hall.
Hugh's voice called from the top of the stairs. "Come back up here, Minotaur. Here, boy. Come back."
A loud, piercing whistle followed. Dog claws scrabbled on the wooden floor.
An instant later Minotaur bounded into the parlor. The dog lurched forward to greet Olympia's guests. En route, his massive tail swiped the tea tray and sent two more cups crashing to the floor.
"Bloody hell," Mrs. Bird grumbled. "Now I'll have to fetch some more."
"Do not bother on our account," Demetria said hastily.
Constance reeled back in alarm as Minotaur charged the sofa. "Get that creature away from us."
Minotaur turned his huge head at the sound of her voice and, tongue lolling, veered toward her.
"I say." Gifford looked confused. He started across the room with the obvious intention of grabbing the dog's collar.
Minotaur barked in delight, apparently having concluded that the stranger wanted to play a game.
Olympia heard the front door open and close. She whirled around and saw Jared step into the hall. She went to the parlor entrance and confronted him with her hands on her hips.
"There you are, sir. It's about time you got here."
"Something wrong?" Jared asked politely.
Olympia waved a hand to encompass the noisy, chaotic scene behind her. "I wish you would do something about all these people in my parlor."
Jared walked forward and surveyed the room with calm interest.
"Minotaur," he said quietly.
Minotaur stopped trying to dodge Gifford's grasp and dashed across the room. He skidded to a halt in front of Jared, sat back on his haunches, and looked up for approval.
Jared rested his hand on the top of Minotaur's head and the dog grinned.
"Go," Jared ordered quietly. "Upstairs, Minotaur."
Minotaur rose obediently and trotted quickly out of the parlor.
Jared glanced at Mrs. Bird. "Never mind the tea, Mrs. Bird."
"But they ain't had any yet," Mrs. Bird protested.
Jared looked at Gifford with chilling politeness. "I'm quite certain that our guests do not have time for tea. You and your companions were just about to leave, were you not, Mr. Seaton?"
Gifford gave Jared a look of smoldering dislike as he brushed dog hair off the sleeve of his coat. "Yes, as a matter of fact, we were. I'm certain we've all had enough of this bedlam."