Old Acquaintances: Christmas Regency Tale (Regency Tales Book 2) by Gayle Buck

he willingly gave it, patting his ample waistline in testimony. “That you are, pet,” he said.
    Judith glanced about helplessly. At this rate, none of them would ever get to the table, she thought. And she could not simply withdraw from Mrs. Nickleby. The outrageous woman actually had hold of a bit of her sleeve, thought Judith in annoyance.
    Judith’s glance met that of Lord Baltor, and he comprehended the situation. He promptly stepped forward and his action edged Mrs. Nickleby back a half-step so that she was forced to drop her hand from Judith’s sleeve. “Miss Grantham, allow me the privilege of escorting you into luncheon,” he said, offering his arm to Judith.
    She placed her fingers on his elbow and thanked him with a dazzling smile. Over her shoulder, she said composedly, “Do join Lord Baltor and me, Mrs. Nickleby. We are to have a delightful current pudding for dessert.”
    “Well!” exclaimed Mrs. Nickleby. “And here I have just been saying that the pudding is not fit to be spooned up.”
    Her spouse patted her reassuringly on the shoulder. “Never mind, pet. The Quality abide by their own rules,” he said.
    Mrs. Nickleby took his arm and lowered her voice to an octave that she mistakenly thought private. “I shall never be more glad of anything than to shake the dust of this house from my feet, Mr. Nickleby. I have never been subjected to ruder treatment. And as for the help! Why, what do you think? I discovered one of the maids going through the pockets of my best cloak. She excused herself by saying that she was looking for an extra button to sew on in place of one that has fallen off. I hope that I know better than to believe that tale! No one looks for work, now do they, Mr. Nickleby?”
    “It is unfortunately true, pet,” said Mr. Nickleby with a sigh. “Haven’t I pointed out for years that very same thing in the clothier business?”
    The Nicklebys’ conversation carried them all into the dining room. Judith pretended not to hear. She was determined that the luncheon was to be a pleasant interlude. She quietly thanked Lord Baltor when he seated her and she was not unpleased that he took the chair beside her. She noticed when the slight gentleman slipped into place on her other side and she nodded pleasantly to him, not in any anxiety that she would offend if she did not verbally greet him. She had become used to Mr. Smith’s quietude and she knew that her task of conversing with her table partners would be greatly reduced since Mr. Smith never put himself forward into any conversation.
    While the Nicklebys seated themselves opposite, she leaned over toward Lord Baltor and said in a low voice, “I am unutterably relieved to have you for my partner at table, my lord. You have no notion how I shook at the thought of Mr. Nickleby, and just beyond him his good wife.”
    For the first time since Judith had met Lord Baltor, she saw an uninhibited smile on his face. “I consider it an equal protection, ma’am,” he said.
    Judith laughed, almost surprised by the dry witticism. She had gathered that, sober, Lord Baltor was much too serious for his years. It pleased her that his lordship was capable of charm without first imbibing from a bottle. “I hope that I am to hear a rendition of a carol from you during your stay here at Elmswood. I, too, enjoy singing,” said Judith, smiling.
    Even as Lord Baltor flushed at her gentle teasing, his grin widened. All at once he looked his young years. “If you will but join me, Miss Grantham, I will endeavor to lift the ceiling.”
    “I shall hold you to that, my lord,” said Judith. She had wondered at Sir Peregrine’s absence and now she sensed rather than saw him enter the dining room. She turned her head.
    He had paused in the doorway, sweeping the table with a glance and taking note that the only available place was beside Mrs. Nickleby. When his eyes met Judith’s, her own sparked to amusement at his thinly veiled dismay. “Do pray join us,