Chapter One (3)

Waving a hand at Aldace, Wynleigh remarked teasingly, 'I shall say no more on that head, so I assure you!' Aldace forbore to reply. To his other guests, his lordship gestured to the seats, 'Sit yourselves down. Find a cosy spot while Waulmsley brings us a bite or two. You're all exhausted after a journey here, I'll be bound, and I'm all eagerness to hear what it is that brings you. Not sad news, I hope, Adeline, as regards your life's partner?' he asked banteringly and insincerely.

'No, indeed, John. All was well with Colonel Ffouldes when last we had the privilege of communication from him,' Lady Adeline replied, shortly. So prim was her reply, in fact, that even had Iphigenia not already known her mother's opinion of news from her father, it would have been clear. Iphigenia hoped that Lady Adeline would not lay open their family business any further. Especially not in front of an uncle they barely knew. And extra-specially not in front of Aldace.

Adjusting herself more comfortably on her chaise lounge, her ladyship addressed herself to the Commander. 'Perhaps you are unaware, sir, that my husband has been stationed in India, and his business there has kept him from these shores for some time.'

Aldace had resumed his place near the fire and appeared nonplussed by the information. He replied, 'Is that so, ma'am?'

Blithely, Lady Adeline assured him, 'Indeed yes. It is always hardest on the families of those whose duties are of king rather than home.'

Aldace contented himself with a curt bow, which made Lord Wynleigh burst out laughing. 'Adeline, it has been so long that I had all but forgotten what a pea-goose you are! Aldace's just as guilty as most of us when it comes to choosing between duty and inclination!' He continued with a further chuckle or two.

Iphigenia noticed that Aldace's attention was seemingly entirely focused on the artifacts displayed on the mantlepiece. She was struck by his tactiturnity in not being able to share a pleasantry that had obviously been intended to include him. The man appeared to be almost entirely lacking in social graces.

Airily waving a hand, Lay Adeline conceded, 'Ah yes, you are both Naval men. I had forgotten,' and then, with raillery, 'But as to our business here - call me a pea-goose if you will, my dear John, but I am not the pea-goose who has forgotten that he was to receive houseguests!'

Laughter drained from Lord Wynleigh's face. Recollecting himself, he smiled, and inquired, 'Should I infer then, Adeline, that I should have a bed made up for you?'

With all the appearance of surprise, Lady Adeline rejoined, 'Has not Lady Wynleigh already done so?'

Realising that his sister was serious, he began making excuses, 'Well, of course she might have - isn't here, as a matter of fact - must have forgotten to mention it to me. I shall just go and consult with our housekeeper, perhaps.'

Wynleigh rose to go, with some audible creaking from his corsetry; but before he could exit the room, Waulmsley entered it with a tray bearing a selection of cold meats, cakes, fruit and some Madeira wine.

'Ah yes,' said Wynleigh, 'Our refreshments! Do help yourselves, everyone please!'

Kit eagerly grabbed a cake, and the others served themselves such items as took their fancy with rather more decorum.

While his guests were occupied, and before Waulmsley withdrew, Wynleigh took him aside and asked in what he assumed was a discreet tone, 'Lady Adeline is staying for the night. Doubtless Lady Wynleigh, before she left ...' he raised his eyebrows, prompting the butler to answer that all was under control.

Waulmsley's sullen face and reluctance to reply answered his master's question.

Rubbing his chin a little, Wynleigh went on, 'A lot on her mind, sort of thing one easily forgets, of course. Desire Mrs Pengreay to make up the Park Chamber for Lady Adeline.'

Silently bowing, Waulmsley withdrew. Wynleigh was fully sensible of his butler's disapproval, but as the conduct of this indispensable member of the household was beyond reproach, his lordship had to swallow his annoyance and continue the civilities with his guests.

'You will be pleased to hear, Adeline, that the Park Chamber is being readied for you for this evening,' Wynleigh announced jovially, patting his paunch with satisfaction. 'It is one of the rooms in the newer section of the house. Most comfortable.'

Looking up from a very small glass of Madeira, his sister caught him off guard again. 'And for the rest of my stay?' she asked, fixing him with a clear, unblinking gaze.

Smiling so hard that it seemed as if his jaw might break, Wynleigh improvised, 'For the rest of your stay, I have every confidence that my dearest Sophia will want to confer with you herself this evening to discover precisely what will suit you.'

Through a mouth slightly loaded with cake, Kit observed to his uncle, 'You know, these are really good.' He helped himself to another.

Looking much struck by an unpleasant suspicion, Wynleigh asked his sister, 'Had you any preferences for where your - most interesting! - offspring are to stay?'

Taking another small sip of her wine, Lady Adeline replied easily, 'No. Wherever it will least discommode you, my dear brother. We should be sorry to put you to any trouble.'

Wynleigh's expression was less a smile and more a grimace. However he spoke graciously, 'Aldace will be happy to entertain you for a few moments. excuse me while I discover who will show you to your rooms. You will all want a chance to recover from your journey before we dine.' He let himself out of the room without a backward glance.

Aldace had all the appearance of a man who was anything but happy at being requested to be civil to his host's other visitors. With an expression of disbelieving repugnance he turned again to his study of the mantlepiece.

Iphigenia would ordinarily have ignored such behaviour, and have satisfied herself with conversation with her brother. However, she was by now almost incensed at the seemingly ceaseless flow of snubs from Aldace. She decided it would be her pleasure to inflict the full measure of her distasteful presence on him.

Smiling brightly, she enquired, 'Commander Aldace, have you known my uncle long?'

He brought his head upright quickly, and glanced at her over his shoulder.

Iphigenia knew that, despite being tired, and her clothes being travel worn, she presented quite a pretty picture. She had seen for herself at the last inn at which they had stopped that the sleek coils of her long, brown hair had worn well and were very becomingly spilt over one shoulder; that her Brunswick green travel habit suited her complexion and figure admirably; and as she had been complimented on her looks by admirers she was well aware that the expression of vivacity was one which showed off her even features to advantage.

Aldace seemed oblivious to all of it. He merely replied in a bored tone, 'As he commanded the fleet in the Mediterranean for several years, ma'am, and I have served in it for eleven years myself, you may infer an acquaintance of some length.' He returned to his interrupted study of a porcelain snuffbox of Oriental design.

Iphigenia would not yield so meekly. She tried again, 'Very well, Commander Aldace, i shall make what inferences I can from this information. However, I shall need you to supply me with a little more if I am to be satisfied.'

Resignedly, Aldace turned around to face the room, and leaned against the mantle. 'I would be loathe to deprive you of satisfaction ma'am,' he replied, the gallantry spoilt somewhat by the sarcasm of his tone. 'What do you require of me?'

Playfully, she began, 'You see, sir, I know very little of the customs binding you Naval men. Is it in his capacity as a retired Admiral of the Fleet that my uncle is now entertaining you?'

'I would not like to hazard any remarks about Lord Wynleigh's business, Ma'am,' he replied depressingly.

'Quite right,' agreed Lady Adeline, sectioning an orange.

Laughing a little, Iphigenia pressed on, 'I am sure I am not trying to be impertinent, sir! Only to make conversation,' she added, pointedly.

Taking her meaning, Aldace looked up. Their eyes met.

Iphigenia had hoped that Aldace would be shamed into doing all that was proper for their entertainment, but she forgot all her machinations in noticing how unexpectedly green his eyes were. Almost a blue. Rather like the sea itself - how appropriate.

She recollected herself, blinked and continued, 'Perhaps you would prefer to introduce a new topic for discussion?'

Aldace was uncomfortable. He shifted the sbuffbox between his hands as he attempted to collect his thoughts, 'I would not wish ... I am ...' Abruptly he placed the snuff box back on the mantle, schooled his features, and said calmly, 'I pray you will all excuse me.' He made a slight bow, and left the room even before Kit could struggle to his feet, still chewing, and attempting to catch the crumbs that fell off his lap.

Calmly contemplating a piece of her orange, Lady Adeline observed impeturbably, 'What an awkward young man.'

Blushing hotly, Iphigenia tried to capture some of her mother's air of serenity. 'Yes indeed,' she agreed. 'He certainly lacks something in his address.'

'He does. However, it was a shame that you chased him away, Iphigenia. I dare sau he is a protege of my brother's and has very good prospects,' replied Lady Adeline blandly.

Too outraged for speech, Iphigenia stood up and took a very energetic turn about the room. A little rap at the door sounded before she had fully regained her equilibrium, and she was grateful to whoever it was for obviating the necessity to continue so undesirable a conversation.

TO BE CONTINUED ... AND CHAPTER 1 TO BE CONCLUDED ... SOON.