Page 70 of Not Quite a Lady
Lily felt at a disadvantage in front of this self-assured young woman in her simple gown. She had taken enormous care to select the plainest of her own walking dresses, afraid of giving any offence by appearing ostentatious. Yet she still felt over-dressed and awkward.
‘How did you know?’ She tried not to stare at the tarnished suit of armour in the far corner. Did people really have them in their homes?
‘Jack described you to me.’
Lily swallowed against the embarrassment. She had obviously not succeeded in muting her regrettable taste in clothes if she was instantly recognisable. This elegant young lady must despise her
But Miss Lovell was still smiling. ‘He said you were tall, lovely and red-haired.’
‘Oh.’ Is that truly how he thought of her?
Lily shook herself mentally. This was not why she had come here. ‘I did not intend to disturb you, Miss Lovell, I simply wished to have a few words with Lord Allerton and leave.’
‘But you must have some tea at least before you go.’ Miss Lovell turned as the door opened. ‘You see, here is Grimswade with the tray, and my mother and other sisters. Mama, this is Miss France, all the way from London, who has called to see Jack. Miss France, this is my mother, Lady Allerton. My sister Susan, and my youngest sister Penelope.’
This is a fairy story. I come here to confront an ogre in acastle and I find myself in a tea party with four ladies. I am trapped now, I can hardly insist on seeing him.
Lily smiled and curtsied and said everything that was proper and found herself seated while four pairs of dark grey eyes observed her with polite interest.
‘Have you come far today, Miss France?’ Lady Allerton was pouring tea into cups that seemed to be made of parchment, they were so thin.
‘From Newcastle only, Lady Allerton. I stayed at York on Sunday, having travelled up from London. What very lovely china.’
It was probably ill-bred of her to comment, she realised as soon as the remark was out. The aristocracy took old things for granted.
‘Thank you. It is Sévres, from my grandmother’s family.’
Lily could hear her own words echoing in her memory from when she had ranted at Jack about the upper classes’ obsession with all things old. How he must have laughed inwardly at her ignorant indignation when he owned such exquisite heirlooms himself.
‘A long journey, Miss France. How fortunate the weather has been clement. Do you visit family?’
‘No. It is a business visit.’ There was no point in pretending, even if her ladyship regretted offering hospitality to a cit. ‘I trade in tea and I have a branch of the business here. It is a long time since I visited my agent in Newcastle. I think I may then go into the Lake District to see the sights, if the weather holds fair.’
‘Tea, how fascinating. Please, give me your opinion on this blend.’
Surprised, as most ladies seemed not to have any understanding that tea blends might vary at all, Lily took a careful sip and rolled it around her mouth. ‘Essentially a green tea, with overtones of Oolong. I think it might be given a littlemore body with a hint of yellow tea, but that is very much a personal thing.‘
‘How clever.’ The youngest Miss Lovell – Penelope? – clapped her hands. ‘How wonderful of you to know all about it.’
‘Miss Franceisvery clever, Penny.’
The fragile cup rattled in its saucer and Lily put it down hastily on the side table. Jack came in, a smile on his lips and a decidedly chilly question in his flinty eyes.
Chapter Seventeen
‘Lord Allerton.’ Lily swallowed the lump in her throat and managed not to squeak.
She had last seen him on a damp heath, stripped to the waist with blood pouring down his arm. Now he looked relaxed, well and, surrounded by the thick ancestral walls of his home, formidably unapproachable. He was the same man as he had been in London, yet totally different.
‘Miss France, what a surprise to see you again so soon.’ He gave no indication whether he found the surprise a pleasant one or not, but Lily thought she could guess.
‘Miss France was just telling us about tea.’ Lady Allerton appeared not to notice the atmosphere. ‘Would you care for a cup, Lovell, or shall I ring for coffee?’
‘Neither, thank you, Mama.’ He did not sit down either and Lily could see both his younger sisters beginning to look uncertainly at him.
He was waiting for her to explain herself, as well he might.
‘Another cup, Miss France? A biscuit?’
