Page 5 of The Best-Laid Plans

Charlie nodded. Henson breathed a sigh of obvious relief, then hurried on his way.

Alone again, Newton spoke up, keeping his tone neutral and his laughter tucked away. “I, for one, am hoping the ‘someone in this room’ is a member of the extended Lancaster family.”

Charlie tossed him a felling look. “Don’t even joke about that.”

They stepped into the room. Sitting with unmistakable grace and elegance was a young lady Newton remembered well—one did not forget a diamond of the first water.

“Mr. Jonquil,” she said, her tone both painfully proper and amusingly superior. “What a... pleasant surprise.”

“Ah, lud,” Charlie muttered.

“And Mr. Hughes.” She turned to him. “An actual pleasure to see you.”

Newton dipped his head. “Miss Lancaster,” he greeted quietly.

“My brother told me the two of you were in Bath and had called.” Miss Lancaster motioned them farther into the room. Her manners could certainly not be faulted. “I had hoped you would call again.”

Charlie didn’t say anything. He simply stood rooted to the spot, a look of exhausted displeasure on his usually jovial face.

Newton could keep up a conversation when civility required it. “How long have you been in Bath, Miss Lancaster?”

“I arrived yesterday.”

That explained why they had not yet seen her.

“When are you leaving?” Charlie muttered under his breath.

Miss Lancaster appeared to be holding back a laugh as she lowered herself into a chair. She reminded Newton of... well, of Charlie when he wasn’t around Miss Lancaster. “My brother and his wife mean to spend another month in Bath,” she said. “They have invited me to remain with them throughout their sojourn here. I intend to accept their offer.”

“How fortunate for all of us,” Newton said, sitting.

Miss Lancaster eyed Charlie. “Do you find it fortunate, Mr. Jonquil?”

Charlie sat as well, assuming a posture of casual disapproval. “I’d answer, but I promised my brother I wouldn’t insult you anymore.” He needed a moment to regain his equilibrium enough to keep that promise.

Newton far preferred silence when amongst people he did not know well, but he was not so painfully reserved as to be unable to spring to his friend’s rescue. “I understand your eldest sister welcomed a new arrival a few months ago.”

Miss Lancaster allowed her attention to shift to him. “She did. I have a new niece, Lady Hestia. She promises to be quite the heartbreaker, in large part because I intend to teach her well.”

The amusing lady might drive Charlie rather mad, but Newton enjoyed her company. She was quick-witted and self-assured enough to not demur her way into the posture of feebleness too many young ladies were trained to assume.

Henson returned again but without the master or mistress of the house. “More visitors is about to come inside,” he said.

In a quiet voice entirely lacking in mockery or jesting, Miss Lancaster said, “You simply tell us who it is by saying their names before stepping aside to allow them in.”

He nodded, looking both disappointed in himself and a touch embarrassed.

“And I fear you may have forgotten to let Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster know of these gentlemen’s arrival.”

Henson’s shoulders dropped. “I’m going to get myself tossed out of my position.”

Miss Lancaster shook her head with a kind smile. “Mr. Lancaster enjoys having someone around to swap stories of the war with.”

“I like that too,” Henson said.

“And he has told me that he appreciates how welcome you make everyone who comes to the door.”

Henson took a deep breath. “I am trying, Miss Lancaster.”

---