Part 40 (1/2)

Angeline thought that Mrs. Quimby could not fail to notice the d.u.c.h.ess's chilly reply.

”Oh, to be sure,” Mrs. Quimby said, ”but one cannot help noticing great beauty. I wondered if you had an opinion of her looks.”

The d.u.c.h.ess lowered her embroidery. ”I do not.”

Angeline was certain her mother's curt reply would quell the woman.

”It is a shame that Lord Brentmoor lost his esteemed father, and of course, his grief must have been large,” Mrs. Quimby continued, ”but a fortune will always be welcome, to be sure.” She laughed.

Angeline thought the woman exceedingly vulgar.

Margaret turned her attention to Mrs. Quimby. ”Allow me to pour you another dish of tea.”

”That is so kind of you, but I'm not thirsty. Lady Angeline, you did not say whether or not you had met Lord and Lady Brentmoor?”

Unfortunately, the reverend's wife was not the sort of woman who sensed undercurrents in conversations. Again, Angeline chose to ignore the question.

Margaret rose. ”d.u.c.h.ess, let me bring you another cup of tea.”

Angeline noticed her mother's lips were drawn tightly. Poor Mama to have to suffer Mrs. Quimby's prattle about Brentmoor.

Mrs. Quimby continued, undeterred. ”Lady Angeline, I believe you did not hear my question about Lord and Lady Brentmoor.”

Angeline smoothed out her embroidery. ”Mrs. Quimby, the persons you mentioned are not friends of mine.”

”Oh, well, I'm sure Baron Overton would be glad to make the introductions-”

Margaret approached Mrs. Quimby. ”Unfortunately, Baron Overton is not here to perform the introductions. May I get you a second cup of tea?”

”Oh, no, I'm perfectly satisfied, though I do thank you. Well, I hope you will have a chance to meet Lord and Lady Brentmoor during the spring season in London, Lady Angeline,” Mrs. Quimby said.

Margaret leaned forward and touched Mrs. Quimby's arm. ”I do beg your pardon, Mrs. Quimby. Would you be willing to play for us? I'm sure we would all enjoy it.”

Margaret spoke to the girls briefly. They left the drawing room, and their voices receded.

Mrs. Quimby prattled on about what an honor it was to be asked to play. Margaret managed to urge her across the room and onto the bench. After setting up the music sheets, Margaret walked away as quickly as possible. She smiled at Mrs. Quimby and turned to Angeline. ”I am sorry.”

Angeline sighed. ”She has no idea her words are unwelcome, Margaret.”

”My head aches from listening to her,” the d.u.c.h.ess said. ”Her manners are deplorable.”

”Your headache will be the perfect excuse,” Margaret said. ”I will be concerned about contagion when the gentlemen arrive and will ask Chadwick to order the carriage immediately to take them home.”

”Thank you, Margaret,” Angeline said under her breath. ”I do not want Mama to suffer any more talk of that fiend and his wife.”

”My concerns are for you, Angeline,” the d.u.c.h.ess said.

”I hope the gentlemen are prompt,” Margaret said.

When Mrs. Quimby finished, she turned. ”Would one of you like to exhibit? I do not wish to be greedy.” She laughed.

”Please, continue,” Margaret said. ”We are all enjoying your performance.”

”She is blind to the feelings of others,” the d.u.c.h.ess said. ”Margaret, you will have to take her in hand. She will cause problems, because her husband is the vicar, meaning one cannot simply ignore her, which is impossible anyway.”

”I have tried repeatedly to deter her,” Margaret said.

”You are too gentle,” the d.u.c.h.ess said. ”A woman with her nature only understands the stark truth. You see the way she ignores suggestions, other than to show off at the pianoforte.”

When the gentlemen returned to the drawing room, Angeline caught Colin's eye. He escorted her over to the window seat. ”You look a bit distressed,” he said under his breath.

”Mrs. Quimby is oblivious. I will tell you soon. Margaret is speaking to your father now.”

”Oh, dear,” the d.u.c.h.ess said. ”I am not at all well.”

Mrs. Quimby halted. ”Oh, my. Perhaps another cup of tea would work.”

Margaret hurried to the d.u.c.h.ess. ”Oh, dear, you are looking pale. I hope there is no contagion. Chadwick, please have the carriage brought round.”

He looked a bit taken aback, until Margaret said, ”Chadwick, please do not delay. I could not be easy if Mrs. Quimby and Reverend Quimby remain when there is a possible contagion.”

”Ah,” the marquess said, lifting his chin. ”I agree. We cannot expose Reverend and Mrs. Quimby. Let me ring for Ames to arrange matters.”

”I'm sure it is nothing,” Mrs. Quimby said, turning to her husband. ”Do you not agree?”

Margaret took Mrs. Quimby's arm. ”I would never forgive myself if either you or Mr. Quimby fell ill. In fact, it is quite cold out this evening, but there are woolen rugs in the carriage, and you will be comfortable on your journey.”

Nearly half an hour elapsed before Margaret and the marquess returned to the drawing room.

”That woman does not know when to stop talking,” the marquess said. ”I can't very well ignore the reverend, but I cannot abide his wife.”

”Subtlety is lost on her,” Margaret said. ”Be glad you were not here, Chadwick. It was a most distressing performance on the part of Mrs. Quimby.”

After Margaret described the events, the marquess groaned. ”The woman is completely unaware of others' feelings.”

”Chadwick, something must be done,” Margaret said.

”Oh, no,” the marquess said. ”I'm not stepping in that mud puddle.”

Angeline sagged against the sofa. ”She is unbearable. One hates to wound her, but apparently no one has ever curbed her prattling.”

”I very much doubt she will change at this late date,” Colin said. ”Father, I suggest that you invite them only for tea.”

”We've set a precedent,” the marquess said. ”It can't be avoided now.”

”Lord Chadwick,” Angeline said, ”perhaps you could suggest to the reverend that he include some examples in his sermon of how we learn more from listening than speaking. Then when Reverend and Mrs. Quimby call, you can always bring up what a wonderful sermon it was and how he and Mrs. Quimby are such wonderful examples. Every time Mrs. Quimby prattles, bring up the subject of your favorite sermon.”