Page 93 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
“Oh, Tillie, we never go out as sisters are wont to do. We’ll ask for a secluded corner table. No one will bother us.” She squeezed Tillie’s hand. “Let’s have a bit of fun and get your mind off Rexton.”
Tillie doubted anything would ever accomplish that goal, but she did admire Gina’s determination to make the best of things. How she was going to miss her! “Yes, all right. We’ll have a jolly good time.”
“Have you a reservation?” the gentleman standing at a rather high desk beside the door asked.
“No, we don’t,” Tillie said quietly. “But I can see there are empty tables.” Round tables, covered in white lacy cloth. It was the sort of place where one spoke in hushed tones.
“Many of them are reserved. Let me see if one is available.” He dragged his finger along what looked to be a ledger of names. “Yes, it appears—”
“I do hope you are not considering admitting them, Mr. Wadsworth,” Lady Blanford, Downie’s sister, announced in the exact opposite of a hushed tone, standing there like the prow of a ship, staring down her nose at Tillie. She’d put on considerable weight since Tillie had last seen her. No doubt because Tillie’s dowry allowed the woman to purchase all the confectionaries she could eat.
“Good afternoon, Lady Blanford,” Tillie said politely.
The countess sniffed. “Mr. Wadsworth, this woman is not the sort to whom you should permit admittance. I daresay if word gets around you even allowed her in the door you will find yourself tossed on the street by your employer. Her sister is just as despicable.”
The anger shimmied through Tillie. “Say what you want of me, madam, but don’t you dare disparage my sister.”
“Like breeds like. I have seen your sister sniffing around our gents, and I assure you I have ensured no mother will allow her son to give her so much as the time of day. She is on a fool’s quest if she expects to marry into the nobility. The rumors I can spread—”
“Be forewarned, madam. I do carry a pistol in my reticule. I wouldn’t kill you, of course, but I might leave you with a scar designed to ruin the line of that wonderful décolletage of yours.”
Lady Blanford inhaled sharply. “Do you see, Mr. Wadsworth? Do you see why you cannot allow this vile creature entry, that she would threaten me so?”
“Yes, my lady.” He gave Tillie an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, madam, but—”
“Oh, Lady Landsdowne, Miss Hammersley. There you are.”
Tillie turned to see the Duchess of Lovingdon coming around from behind Lady Blanford. Smiling brightly, she was the picture of calm. She placed her hands on Tillie’s shoulders, bussed a kiss across her cheek, then did the same with Gina. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Your Grace...” She didn’t know quite what else to say. The duchess took her hand, tucked it into the corner of her elbow as though she were creating an unbreakable chain. With a wink, she patted Tillie’s hand.
“Mr. Wadsworth, Lady Landsdowne and Miss Hammersley are joining me for tea. You should see them written down as sitting at my table.”
“Surely you jest,” Lady Blanford stated emphatically.
“I do not,” the duchess replied calmly.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace,” Mr. Wadsworth began. “I don’t see—” He looked up, caught sight of the duchess’s determined expression, glanced back down. “Ah, yes, here they are. I must have overlooked them.”
“I thought so. I admire your tenacity in continuing to persevere until the matter was satisfactorily sorted out. I shall sing your praises to the owner.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Come along,” the duchess said to Tillie and Gina.
Lady Blanford had the audacity to step in front of them. “Mr. Wadsworth, I must insist you prevent this rabble from entering.”
“Come now, Countess,” the duchess said, her voice tight but controlled, “do you really think he is going to adhere to your wishes when doing so will mean that my party immediately leaves to never return? And let’s not forget Lady Landsdowne’s pistol. Scars can be a symbol of courage but I’m not certain that would hold true in your case. Now step aside and do not make a further fuss or you will find yourself being the one escorted out.”
Glaring at Tillie, the countess did as ordered.
“This way, ladies.” The duchess indicated they should precede her into the dining area.
As Tillie was walking past, she heard the duchess say, “Lady Blanford, you may have heard my mother is hosting a ball tomorrow evening. You might have even received an invitation. If so, disregard it. My mother does not tolerate nasty people.”
Then the duchess was ushering Tillie and Gina to a table near the window.
“Duchess, I appreciate all you’ve done, but we don’t want to impose,” Tillie said quietly.
