Well, perhaps you’re right. But I cannot let this go unnoticed. However, although I shall try not to make too much of it, I must let my children know, especially Caroline, that I did not approve of their treatment of you when you arrived.
With a heavy heart, Celia parted from him and went to inform her family of his arrival.
* * *
That evening, Celia and her family had an uncomfortable family reunion with Uncle Worth and his children. Caroline's dour face at the dinner table did not change however much Mrs. Meade tried to press her into conversation.
Uncle Worth appeared flustered. Celia could see that his reprimands toward Caroline had done little to promote her good will toward the Meades but a lot toward increasing her hostility. Sylvia and Tom, however uncomfortably, followed her lead if not with her manner at least by providing short answers to the Meades’ efforts at conversation.
Celia wrung a little hope from the fact that Tom and Sylvia would not have been as unfriendly as they were had Caroline not been in the room, for whenever either one made an effort at friendliness toward the Meades, they got a repressive look from Caroline.
It was also obvious that Uncle Worth had his hands full with Caroline. His reprimand seemed to have made her even more determined to make the Meades feel unwelcome, and he hadn't the strength of character to curb her behavior. Uncle Worth might be an ace in the world of shipping and investment, but he seemed out of his element when dealing with his daughter, who was haughty and cutting.
Celia was certain that a bumpy ride was in store for them. Her mother and Bella appeared flustered by Caroline’s behavior and Fred cast glances full of meaning toward Celia.
Celia had always had the ability to block from her mind those who disliked her and Fred was very much like her. But Mrs. Meade and Bella were greatly affected by the attitude of other people toward them. Even now, Mrs. Meade's face was unnaturally red as her hands trembled nervously and Bella had the look of child who does not know what she did to displease the elders.
* * *
"I’m going to visit the Wintons today, Mama," said Celia to her mother the following day. The Wintons were relatives of Celia's best friend Henrietta back home and happily for Celia they lived in the area.
She was certain Caroline was not about to share her friends with the Meades. They would have to wait for Uncle Worth to introduce them to the Delaneys’ neighbors in the surrounding countryside.
The following day, Uncle Worth informed Margaretta and Celia that a dinner which would include their friends from the area would serve to introduce the Meades. Celia could see that he was flustered with Caroline’s behavior and this was his way to make up for it.
The old Earl of Shelton, his son, Viscount Robert Merrick and the earl’s four daughters were the first to be sent cards, followed by Solace Delaney’s relatives, the Longards. Also invited were Uncle Worth’s neighbor’s on the opposite side, Finley Bannister, his wife Sophia, their two sons, Scott and William and their pale, tiny daughter, Lorraine, who was Celia’s age but looked younger.
Lorraine had fire red hair that only accentuated more the white little oval of her face. Bannister had settled his family some years ago in a large square house known as Bannister Lodge on the opposite side from the earl’s estate and near the town of Shelton and there was constant going back and forth between the houses.
Although Finlay Bannister had married late in life, being more than twenty years older than his wife, he was still an energetic man and excellent horseman and hunter. He had two tall sons: Scott who was in his late twenties and Will, still at prep school and home on holiday.
Finley Bannister’s wife, Sophie had a vivacious personality. She was a plump, kindly woman who adored her two tall sons and bookish fragile daughter.
The Bannister sons were often in Tom’s company Tom was
With a heavy heart, Celia parted from him and went to inform her family of his arrival.
* * *
That evening, Celia and her family had an uncomfortable family reunion with Uncle Worth and his children. Caroline's dour face at the dinner table did not change however much Mrs. Meade tried to press her into conversation.
Uncle Worth appeared flustered. Celia could see that his reprimands toward Caroline had done little to promote her good will toward the Meades but a lot toward increasing her hostility. Sylvia and Tom, however uncomfortably, followed her lead if not with her manner at least by providing short answers to the Meades’ efforts at conversation.
Celia wrung a little hope from the fact that Tom and Sylvia would not have been as unfriendly as they were had Caroline not been in the room, for whenever either one made an effort at friendliness toward the Meades, they got a repressive look from Caroline.
It was also obvious that Uncle Worth had his hands full with Caroline. His reprimand seemed to have made her even more determined to make the Meades feel unwelcome, and he hadn't the strength of character to curb her behavior. Uncle Worth might be an ace in the world of shipping and investment, but he seemed out of his element when dealing with his daughter, who was haughty and cutting.
Celia was certain that a bumpy ride was in store for them. Her mother and Bella appeared flustered by Caroline’s behavior and Fred cast glances full of meaning toward Celia.
Celia had always had the ability to block from her mind those who disliked her and Fred was very much like her. But Mrs. Meade and Bella were greatly affected by the attitude of other people toward them. Even now, Mrs. Meade's face was unnaturally red as her hands trembled nervously and Bella had the look of child who does not know what she did to displease the elders.
* * *
"I’m going to visit the Wintons today, Mama," said Celia to her mother the following day. The Wintons were relatives of Celia's best friend Henrietta back home and happily for Celia they lived in the area.
She was certain Caroline was not about to share her friends with the Meades. They would have to wait for Uncle Worth to introduce them to the Delaneys’ neighbors in the surrounding countryside.
The following day, Uncle Worth informed Margaretta and Celia that a dinner which would include their friends from the area would serve to introduce the Meades. Celia could see that he was flustered with Caroline’s behavior and this was his way to make up for it.
The old Earl of Shelton, his son, Viscount Robert Merrick and the earl’s four daughters were the first to be sent cards, followed by Solace Delaney’s relatives, the Longards. Also invited were Uncle Worth’s neighbor’s on the opposite side, Finley Bannister, his wife Sophia, their two sons, Scott and William and their pale, tiny daughter, Lorraine, who was Celia’s age but looked younger.
Lorraine had fire red hair that only accentuated more the white little oval of her face. Bannister had settled his family some years ago in a large square house known as Bannister Lodge on the opposite side from the earl’s estate and near the town of Shelton and there was constant going back and forth between the houses.
Although Finlay Bannister had married late in life, being more than twenty years older than his wife, he was still an energetic man and excellent horseman and hunter. He had two tall sons: Scott who was in his late twenties and Will, still at prep school and home on holiday.
Finley Bannister’s wife, Sophie had a vivacious personality. She was a plump, kindly woman who adored her two tall sons and bookish fragile daughter.
The Bannister sons were often in Tom’s company Tom was
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