Page 42 of The Magpie Lord
“Well, I didn’t like to say so, but that is a dreadful suit,” Crane agreed, as he pulled up the horses outside the house. “You’d look much better out of it.”
He climbed lithely down from the dogcart and handed the reins to the Thwaites’ groom. Stephen muttered, “Swine,” and followed, feeling a grin dawning irrepressibly on his face.
Chapter Thirteen
Huckerby Place was a far more opulent home than Piper, in that it was warm and welcoming and had been decorated within the last decade, and furnished within the last five.
The Thwaites’ daughter Helen was not, in fairness, “pretty”. She was a remarkably beautiful girl, tall and slender, golden-haired and blue-eyed in the best English tradition, with perfect skin and teeth and a clear, ringing voice. She greeted Crane with bright-eyed flirtatiousness, holding out both her hands to him. Crane smiled and disengaged himself, and bowed formally rather than taking Lady Thwaite’s outstretched hand. Stephen lurked behind him, ignored.
The other guests were all in the drawing room.
“My dears,” Lady Thwaite announced, “Our new earl, Lord Crane. Now, do you know everyone, my lord?”
“Nobody, I’m afraid,” Crane said.
“Well, of course, you’ve spent so little time in Lychdale,” Lady Thwaite said. “We’re fortunate to have had as much of your company in this house as we have, when you’re so busy. I’m sure I don’t know what the attraction of our little home can be,” she added roguishly.
“Oh, Mother,” murmured Helen, dimpling.
Crane didn’t smile at Lady Thwaite’s sally, but moved forward to the other guests. The first was the vicar of Fulford, Mr. Haining, a fussy man in his fifties, quickly elbowed aside by Mr. and Mrs.Millway. This couple were obviously aiming to be part of the provincial gentry: a little too familiar, a little overdressed, and full of regret for the absence of the Thwaites’ sadly delayed houseguests who should have arrived already, and who Crane would have foundsocharming. “DearSir Peter anddearestLady B, you doubtless know them, Lord Crane?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Oh, but you must meet them! They live in London too!”
“What a remarkable coincidence.” Crane turned to the last guests, the Vernons: a country solicitor and his plump, kindly-looking wife, who regarded Crane with a slight frown.
“Pleased to meet you, Lord Crane,” said Mr. Vernon, shaking hands. “I had a letter from your lawyers. About Allan Day.”
“Good,” Crane said. “I hope you found it informative.”
“I did, yes. I was rather taken aback by it.”
“You’d never have believed my father would do such a thing?”
“The letter didn’t reflect well on him,” Vernon responded carefully.
“Not much did.”
Mr. Haining frowned. “Surelyde mortuis nil nisi bonum, my lord?”
“Yes, and moreover, one shouldn’t speak ill of the dead,” added Mrs. Millway earnestly.
“Allan Day is dead too,” said Mrs. Vernon, with an unexpected edge in her voice. “I thought it was an excellent letter, my lord.”
“Who is this fellow?” demanded Lady Thwaite.
Crane stretched his lips in the shape of a smile. “A good man, grossly wronged by my father. On which note, let me introduce my guest. Mr. Stephen Day. Allan Day’s son.”
Everyone turned, looking slightly startled, as though they hadn’t noticed Stephen till that point. Mrs. Vernon gasped aloud.
“Oh good heavens. Stephen Day? My goodness, itisyou! How did I not see you there?” She flew over and grasped his hands. “Stephen! You used to play with our Richard, do you remember? He’s in the army now. Oh, I’m so glad to see you well! But you’re so thin!” Her eyes were filling with tears. “My dear boy. Come and tell me everything about yourself.”
Wrapped in warmth and looking slightly stunned, Stephen allowed himself to be led to a sofa. Crane had to work to repress a smile and looked round to see Mr. Vernon wearing an identical expression to his own.
“He’ll be lucky to escape Maria tonight,” he remarked. “We always felt distressed that we lost touch with Day’s family, when they left. It was a devil of a business. I’m glad the boy’s well. Are you righting wrongs, Lord Crane?”
“Hardly. Let’s say I’m tackling matters as they arise.”
