Through it, she could see part of the gravel drive and on the drive she could see two carriages already loaded and preparing to depart. In one of them, she was fairly certain were Lady Barton's daughters who had traveled from two counties away specifically for this selection. Lady Barton had spent money on new gowns for both of them. She thought about her aunt. Lady Farrow was going to be impossible for the rest of the week.
Her three cousins were going to be watching Nora with a mixture of resentment and bewilderment that would make every shared meal deeply uncomfortable. Mrs. Corbett was going to tell this story to every hostess she knew within the fortnight. "All right. " Nora said. The Duke raised an eyebrow just slightly.
He had perhaps expected more resistance. "I have conditions. " she added. "Of course you do. " "Whatever conversations we have, they are private and not announced. I will not be paraded or presented or pointed at again. If you decide that your interest was a mistake, you end it quietly and I leave without any fuss.
Agreed. And, she said, you do not tell my aunt about any of this until you have decided something definitive. She will make my life extremely complicated if she thinks there is something to hope for. He almost smiled. It was the closest thing to a smile she had seen on his face.
Agreed. Mrs. Corbett cleared her throat very pointedly from her chair near the window. Thank you, Mrs. Corbett, the Duke said without looking at her.
Mrs. Corbett stood, smoothed her skirts, and crossed to the door with the dignity of a woman who had survived 30 years of this industry and intended to survive 30 more. She paused at the threshold. I will note, she said to the air rather than to either of them, that this is the most irregular selection I have ever conducted in my professional life. Then she walked out.
The doors fell closed again. Nora and the Duke were alone for approximately 4 seconds before Percival knocked and opened the door, clipboard in hand, expression carefully neutral. Your grace, Percival said, Lady Dunmore has sent word that her daughter, Lady Fern, wishes it known she is withdrawing from the selection. Lady Vickers has submitted a written objection through her solicitor, which I suspect is a first. And your grandmother has arrived.
Calder stood. Which is the most urgent problem? Your grandmother, Percival said without hesitation. Nora turned back toward the fireplace and picked up her needle and thread from the stool where she had left them. She had not finished Tilda's hem.