Tweed opened the door. “Good morning, Lord Thornton.”
Lucy drew back, listening.
“Is my aunt in?”
“She is, my lord, but I’m afraid she is not yet ready to receive visitors. However, if you would care to wait a few minutes, I’m sure she will want to see you.” Lucy watched as the butler ushered Lord Thornton into the front drawing room, then mounted the stairs in his usual stately manner.
Lucy crept down the stairs on tiptoe.
“Miss Bamber.”
Blast! Lord Thornton stood in the doorway of the drawing room. Lucy pretended not to hear and hurried on.
“Miss Bamber.” Louder now.
Cursing silently, she turned, clutching her bag to her chest, and gave him a blank, ‘Do I know you?’ kind of look.
“Lord Thornton,” he prompted after a moment. “Good morning, Miss Bamber.” His gaze ran over her, and though he gave no sign that he noticed her shabby old dress, the faint cleft between his brows told her he did. She tensed. It was too close to the clothing she’d worn at their encounter on the road.
What was he doing here, making a morning call at eleven o’clock like some kind of ignorant bumpkin? Lords were supposed to know these things.
He inclined his head. “I trust you enjoyed yourself last night.”
“Last night?” she echoed, as if she had no idea what he was talking about.
His frown deepened. “At the party given by my mother.” And when she didn’t respond, he added, “Almeria, Lady Charlton.”
“Lady Charlton is upstairs,” she said helpfully. “I don’t know anyone called Almeria.”
“My aunt is thedowagerLady Charlton. Almeria, Lady Charlton, is my mother.” He sounded annoyed. Good.
Lucy smiled vaguely. “Really? How nice for you. Now, I must be going. Nice to meet you, Lord... er.”
The furrow between his brows deepened. “Thornton,” he grated. “We were introduced last night. You danced with me.”
“Of course,” she said in an unconvinced manner. “So we did.” Footsteps on the stairs above indicated his aunt was on her way. “Goodbye, Lord Thornfield. So nice to meet you.” Hiding a smile, Lucy hurried away.
Behind her, she heard Lord Thornton say, “Thornton.” Lucy grinned. She waited out of sight and listened as Alice greeted her nephew.
“That so-called goddaughter of yours, has she got rats in her attic?” Lord Thornton said bluntly. Lucy bristled at the “so-called.” The rest of the question made her smile.
Alice responded. “What on earth do you mean, Gerald?”
“I just saw her in the hall. She had no recollection of meeting me last night.”
“Oh, well, she probably forgot you. She came down with the headache, and we had to leave early.”
“Really?” He sounded quite skeptical.
“Yes. Also there were a great many people at the party.Many more than your mother had suggested to me beforehand. I expect poor Lucy was just overwhelmed.”
“Overwhelmed?” He snorted. “If that girl was overwhelmed, I’m a Dutchman.”
“She wasn’t? Oh, I’m so pleased. It’s quite difficult when you’re a young girl meeting so many people for the first time, having to be on your best behavior at your first ton party.”
“She danced with me,” Lord Thornton reminded her.
“Yes, I saw. Very prettily, too, I thought. I was worried she hadn’t been adequately instructed, but her performance was all that anyone could wish for.”
