With a chuckle, the Duke replied, “If you really wanted to make a genuine atonement, you dunce, you would invite both me and Miss Meyer toyourproperty for dinner. As it is, you and Colin will be leeching offmydinner.”
Lord Farellshire considered this point for a moment and then returned, “Well, then I shall atone for my sins with a musical performance after dinner. What do you say, Tony? May she join us?”
With a lighthearted shrug, the Duke replied, “Of course! That is, if she chooses to accept your invitation.”
Once again turning to face Meredith, Lord Farellshire asked, “Well, Miss Meyer? Would you do us the honor of dining with us tonight?”
Chapter 7
Meredith sipped her tea awkwardly. The simple, yet elegant dinner had also been quite awkward for her. For the whole evening all she could do was listen to the three friends make conversation. Although, to Lord Farellshire’s credit, he would make attempts to include her in the conversation every so often—that is, when he could remember that she was there, of course.
Most of the time, he was deeply engrossed in conversation with the Duke and Lord Gillianghamshire. However, Meredith did not mind. She was honored to have even been invited. What is more, she was perfectly content to have an excuse to gaze at Lord Farellshire. Presently, the four of them were seated in the drawing room.
“What a strange decision! It makes you wonder if Emperor Napoleon really is the military genius he claims to be,” exclaimed Lord Gillianghamshire as he reached for a biscuit.
Reclining on the couch next to him, the Duke shook his head, “I wouldn’t underestimate him if I were you, old boy. We may not see much sense in it now, but it is very possible that this is all part of some sort of master plan that he has hidden up his sleeve.”
With a sneer, Lord Farellshire chimed in, “Some master plan that would be. How on earth is any of this supposed to play out in his favor? What are your thoughts, Miss Meyer? You are, after all, our resident history expert of sorts.”
All three men turned their attention to Meredith and politely awaited her opinion. Meredith started to panic.
Oh, Lord Farellshire! Why must you put me on the spot like this?
Clearing her throat, she replied, “Well, Lord Farellshire, you said it yourself. I studyhistory. Ask me about events past and I would be compelled to recount them to you. However, as for the future, each of our predictions is equally as likely.”
This answer produced a chuckle from the Duke, which greatly surprised Meredith, for she had never gotten anything from him except for his half-smiles. “Well said, Miss Meyer. It is a course of wisdom for one to avoid presuming what one does not know. You are a fine example to all of us here.”
Turning to Lord Farellshire, the Duke continued, “Kenny, do you not think that it is about time you made atonement to the intelligent lady—and your gracious host—with your promised musical performance?”
At once, Lord Farellshire leapt from his seat and exclaimed, “Of course! I shall do so right now. However, there is a small matter.”
The Duke squinted at him, “Don’t tell me. You forgot to have your flute fetched from your room at Colin’s estate, didn’t you?”
Lord Farellshire’s only response was to blush and sheepishly rub the back of his neck.
So the Duke sent for his own flute to be given to Lord Farellshire. As Lord Farellshire inspected it, Meredith turned to the Duke, “Pardon me, Your Grace. I did not know that you played the flute.”
With a loud snort, Lord Gillianghamshire called her attention, “No, no, Miss Meyer! I am afraid you misunderstand. To our great misfortune, Anthony and I have not a single musical bone in our bodies. This is a sad truth that our parents were forced to contend with when they made us both take flute lessons.”
Meredith started to chuckle as she imagined the young Duke and Lord Gillianghamshire being chastised by their flute instructor.
With an impish grin, Lord Farellshire chimed in again, “Why else do you think I am so unworried about using Anthony’s flute, Miss Meyer? It’s because I know for a fact that he hasn’t removed it from its case for at least several years now.”
The only person in the room who was not laughing at this point was the Duke, whose cheeks and ears had turned a delightful shade of pinkish-red. This was the first time Meredith had seen him lose his cool confidence. She marveled at the truly humanizing effect that Lord Farellshire and Lord Gillianghamshire had on him.
“Oh, look at what you’ve made me do, Colin. We’ve embarrassed him. And because of you, I now have to atone for two sins,” Lord Farellshire said in between chuckles.
“So you better hurry up and get to it then!” Lord Gillianghamshire quipped back.
With this, Lord Farellshire took a deep breath and began his musical apology.
* * *
“Well, Catherine?”
“All seems to be going well. Jenny and I waited on them the entire dinner. Miss Meyer barely said anything except in response to yes or no questions or to praise the food.”
“Oh, thank heavens!” Hugh exhaled.
