“No, I don’t,” Duncan said. “And I think Lord Milton is unlikely to be invited to any parties in the near future, after making such a fool of himself at that one.”
“I certainly hope you’re right,” Valeria said. “He’s an awful man. Did you spend much time with him before I came to town?”
“Oh, no,” Duncan said. “He’s not someone I’ve ever considered a friend. And, of course, part of it is that he’s so far from me in age. He’s more likely to be a friend of my mother’s than my own. But Mother knows a bad egg when she sees one. She’s never had much good to say about Lord Milton. You mustn’t worry about that.”
Valeria nodded. “I’ll try not to.”
“Now, are you going to play? Or are we giving up on this game of chess?”
Valeria smiled. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I haven’t been of much use today, have I?”
“I understand,” Duncan said. “You’ve had a lot on your mind.”
“Actually,” Valeria admitted, “my mind feels freer than it has since my arrival here.”
“Well, good, then!” Duncan said. “So wecanplay the game.”
Valeria laughed. “You really are too much.”
“You appreciate me, though.”
“Honestly, you’re like the brother I never had,” she said. “I always wished that my relationship with Richard was more like ours. But there was no way that Richard was ever going to give me that.”
“No,” Duncan said. “He wasn’t the sort, was he?”
She moved a pawn.
“You’ll have to do better than that!” Duncan said triumphantly, advancing his knight. “Check.”
They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Duncan frowned and turned to face it. “Come in.”
The door was opened by the butler. “Begging your pardon, My Lord,” he said. “You have a visitor.”
“I do? I’m not expecting anyone,” Duncan said.
“It’s Lord Woodsford.”
Valeria’s heart skipped a beat.
He’s here? Why has he come here?
“Very well,” Duncan said. “Show him in.”
Valeria started to rise. “Should I go?” she asked.
“What?” Duncan said. “No, of course you don’t need to go.”
“You two won’t want to see each other without me here?”
“No,” Duncan said. “You and I were already spending the afternoon together. I’m more than happy for Thomas to join us—assuming you don’t mind?”
“No,” Valeria said quietly. “I don’t mind.”
Duncan nodded. “But I won’t send you away in order to see him. Besides, I don’t think he’ll have any objection to spending time with the both of us.”
The butler had disappeared, and now he returned, leading Lord Woodsford into the room.
“Thomas,” Duncan said. “What brings you here today?” He rose and strode over to shake his friend’s hand.
