Part 7 (2/2)
”Unfortunately, Charles interviewed Scrugthorpe on a day he was in great pain and I had to be in town with Heather. To cut a long story short, Scrugthorpe had falsified the accounts. I called him in and dismissed him.”
Lifting her gaze to her hostess's face, Lucinda smiled. ”After that, Heather and I decided that travelling the country getting to know our inns was an excellent way to see out our year of mourning. It was exactly the sort of enterprise of which Charles would have approved.” Em snorted--this snort clearly signified her appreciation of Charles's good sense.
”Seems to have been a very able man-your father, miss.”
”He was a dear.” Heather's open face clouded and she blinked rapidly, then looked down.
”I've appointed a new agent--a Mr Mabberly.” Lucinda smoothly covered the awkward moment.
”He's young but extremely efficient.”
”And goes in awe of Lucinda,” Heather offered, looking up to help herself to a second scoop of trifle.
”As he should,” Em replied.
”Well, Miss Gifford as was--you've certainly done your parents proud thus far.
A capable lady of independent means at what--twenty- six? ”
”Twenty-eight.” Lucinda's smile was crooked. There were times, such as today, when she suddenly wondered if life had pa.s.sed her by.
”A very fair achievement,” Em declared.
”I don't hold with women being helpless.” She eyed Heather's at last empty plate,
”And if you've finally finished, miss, I suggest we retire to the drawing-room. Do either of you play the pianoforte?”
They both did and gladly entertained their hostess with various airs and sonatas, until Heather fell to yawning. At Lucinda's suggestion she retired, pa.s.sing the tea trolley in the doorway.
”Indeed, we've had an adventuresome day.” Lucinda sat back in an armchair by the fire and sipped the tea Em had dispensed. Lifting her gaze, she smiled atEm.
”I can't thank you enough, Lady Hallows, for taking us in.”
”Nonsense,” Em replied with one of her snorts.
”And you could please me by dropping all the ladys.h.i.+ps and just calling me Era, like everyone else in the family.
You're Melrose's daughter and that's close enough for me. ”
Lucinda smiled, a trifle wearily. 'em, then. What's it a contraction for?
Emma? ”
Em wrinkled her nose.
”Ermyntrude.”
Lucinda managed to keep her lips straight.
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