Page 11 of The Pleasures of Passion
But Clarissa was glaring at her mother. “Mama, you’re insulting every one of my guests whowaspunctual.”
“Am I? I don’t see how.” The dowager blinked. “I haven’t even met half of them.”
Brilliana choked down a laugh. She was beginning to understand Lord Blakeborough’s unusual description of his mother-in-law.
Clarissa winced. “Yes, well, we must remedy that. Mama, this is Lady Pensworth, Delia’s aunt.”
Aunt Agatha nodded stiffly. “I am one of the dull, punctual guests.”
“Are you? Well, I’m sure you can’t help it. Not everyone can be as lively as Clarissa and I.”
“Mama!” Clarissa said. “I assure you that Lady Pensworth is quite lively.”
Aunt Agatha gave a thin smile. “I don’t believe anyone has ever classified me as—God forbid—lively. Don’t fret, Lady Blakeborough. I’m quite happy to be considered dull.” Pushing up her spectacles, she shot the dowager a pointed glance. “It’s better than being considered a lunatic.”
“Oh, I quite agree,” Clarissa’s mother said cheerily. “Lunatics are very difficult to manage. I used to know this one duke . . .”
As the dowager waxed on about the mad duke of something or other, Brilliana caught Niall scanning the room until he fixed on her like a hunter spotting his prey.
When a scowl knit his brow, she tipped up her chin. She had as much right to be here as he. She was Clarissa’s friend, albeit a very recent one. And if he didn’t like it, he could just leave.
“Mama,” Clarissa broke in, “there are others I need to introduce.” She turned to Brilliana. “This is Mrs. Trevor. She’s a friend to both meandNiall.”
As Niall stiffened, Brilliana groaned. Oh, she was going to give Clarissa a piece of her mind later!
Meanwhile, Lady Margrave swatted her son with her fan. “You sly-boots, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you had already met Mrs. Trevor.” She turned to eye Brilliana with blatant curiosity. “How lovely to meet you. I heard from my daughter that you’re a widow?”
“I’m afraid so, ma’am. A rather recent one.”
The dowager beamed at her. “But nottoorecent, since you’re out of mourning.”
“Yes. My husband died over a year ago.”
Lady Margrave cast her son a covert glance. “How very . . . interesting.”
When Niall rolled his eyes, Brilliana wanted to laugh. She might have, too, if she hadn’t been so annoyed to see him.
His mother seemed oblivious to her son’s irritation as she looked Brilliana over. “You seem very young to be a widow.”
“So I’m told.” At least half a dozen times a week. “But I’m sure you hear that nearly as often as I.”
With a titter, the countess patted her gray-blond hair. “Well, people do tell me that I look young enough to be Clarissa’s sister.”
Lord Blakeborough gave a laugh that turned into a cough when Clarissa raised an eyebrow at him.
“There’s certainly a family resemblance,” Brilliana said diplomatically. In Niall as well as Clarissa, for he had his mother’s eyes of warm hazel. Those same eyes were now examining her with the ruthlessness of a soldier assessing an enemy.
Was she his enemy? Not exactly. He was simply one man in a long line of them who’d betrayed her trust, starting with her father and ending with her husband, who’d lied to her about why he’d gone to London to gamble away their money.
All of them had abandoned her in one fashion or another, leaving her heartbroken and destitute. Never again would she rely on one ofthem. Niall had been a mistake, and these days she was trying to learn from those.
When Clarissa went on to introduce the other guests, Brilliana released a breath. Well, she’d survived that. Though she did have to wonder how Niall’s father had ended up married to such a flibbertigibbet as Lady Margrave. He’d seemed a somber sort when she’d met with him.
Dinner was announced, and Brilliana couldn’t help noticing that Niall pointedly ignored her as they went in.
Fine by her. Especially since she was seated next to Lord Fulkham, who was a most entertaining companion and proceeded to regale her throughout the meal with tales of his trips abroad.
As the dessert was served, he shifted the conversation to her. “So, how much longer will you be in London?”
