“I’m so pleased to be able to meet you at last. Rowell told me a lot about you.” She was looking at Bernadette, and Bernadette swallowed hard.
“I’m pleased to meet you, my lady,” she stammered. She glanced sideways. Mama was smiling at the woman, her own eyes as fearful as Bernadette’s were. For a moment, humor and compassion filled Bernadette’s heart in equal doses.
She’s just as frightened as I am.
She looked at Lady Lockwood neutrally, not letting her expression show her thoughts.
“Why, Lady Rothendale!” Lady Lockwood declared. “You didn’t tell me your daughter was shy. No need to be shy, my dear. I’m to be your companion as well as Nicholas’.”
“Thank you,” Bernadette stammered, not sure what response to make. Beside her, Mama laughed nervously.
“Of course, my lady. Of course,” She glanced sideways at Bernadette, then at the bell-rope as if she too didn’t know what to do or what to say. Bernadette cleared her throat.
“I trust your ladyship had a pleasant coach-ride across town?” It was the only thing she could think of.
“Shall I call for tea?” Mama asked nervously when her ladyship barely even acknowledged that Bernadette was speaking.
“Thank you, but no.” Her voice was firm. “I came merely todrop by and meet Miss Rowland. And to inform you both that I will be organizing the betrothal ball in a fortnight’s time.”
“Ball?” Bernadette exclaimed, voice high-pitched and tense. She glanced at Mama, heart thudding.
“We didn’t know you’d be hosting a ball, my lady,” Mama admitted, unsettled.
“That is why I came to inform you,” Lady Lockwood said haughtily. “And I trust I will be allowed to organise other things...such as the gown, perhaps? For both occasions?”
“Mama...” Bernadette whispered, glancing sideways at her mother. Would she not even be allowed to choose her dress? Mama smiled.
“Of course, Lady Lockwood! May I say how kind that is? A lovely gesture. Very welcoming of Bernadette into your household.” She beamed at Bernadette, who glanced at her toes.
Maybe Lady Lockwood thinks we’ll disgrace her.
She swallowed hard. Mama’s choice of loud, bold gowns might have been noted, and perhaps was part of the reason why Lady Lockwood chose to intervene. She looked at her mother questioningly, and her mother beamed at Lady Lockwood nervously.
“We’re very glad, Lady Lockwood,” she repeated.
“I should allow you to have time to ready yourself,” Lady Lockwood said to Bernadette. “I believe my grandsonis escorting you to the theater this evening?” She smiled at Bernadette. Bernadette shivered. She’d seen insincere smiles before, but this one struck her as worse, the friendly smile singularly different to the expression in the woman’s hard eyes.
“Yes, my lady,” she replied softly.
“Well, then! I should be off. My grandson moves in very fashionable circles,” she added as she turned in the doorway. “Even I have a hard time keeping up with the taste of his group.” She smiled as she said it, but Bernadette looked down.
“Good evening, then, Lady Lockwood,” Mama breathed. “I’ll fetch Mr. Hadley to see you to the stairs.”
“Thank you, Lady Rothendale. That would be most kind.”
Bernadette watched as Mama made herself walk slowly to the bell-rope, though Bernadette could feel the need to run. She wanted to run away, too—hide in her bedroom and not come out again, especially not to the Haymarket event.
The butler arrived, and Bernadette and her mother both curtseyed to Lady Lockwood as she glided to the door.
“Good evening, Lady Lockwood,” Mama murmured. “Thank you for dropping by.”
“Good evening, Lady Lockwood,” Bernadette added quietly. “I wish you a pleasant ride home.”
“Thank you. And I wish you a pleasant night at the theater play this evening.” Lady Lockwood smiled the same tight,insincere smile of earlier, and dropped a brisk curtsey.
Bernadette did likewise, her mother doing so at almost the same instant.
Lady Lockwood glided out into the hallway and Mr. Hadley walked with her down to the entranceway. Bernadette breathed deeply and glanced sideways at Mama.
