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

Sir Peregrine,” she said, at her politest.
    “Aye, do so,” said Mrs. Nickleby, diverted from a running commentary on the centerpiece and those dishes that she could see on the sideboard by craning her neck. She smiled amiably and gestured at the place beside her. “There is ample elbow room, as you can see, Sir Peregrine.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Nickleby. You are most kind,” said Sir Peregrine hollowly.
    With Sir Peregrine’s sacrifice on the altar of good manners, Judith’s spirits took an upturn for the better. The butler bent down to whisper in her ear that Miss Brown would not be joining the company for luncheon, preferring a tray in her bedroom. “Why does that not surprise me?” murmured Judith, not allowing herself to be in the least upset. She did, however, make a mental note to visit Cecily later in the afternoon.
    The girl simply had to be brought to an understanding of her responsibilities, for nothing in the world would persuade Judith to go through another private interview with Sir Peregrine. She glanced down the table as the soup was served. Predictably, Mrs. Nickleby was addressing herself to anyone who was unfortunate to be within range. Judith smiled at Sir Peregrine’s pained expression. She much preferred seeing that gentleman in public. It was so much kinder to her spirits, especially if he was to act as a buffer against Mrs. Nickleby’s volubleness.
    After luncheon, the company dispersed with various announced plans for passing the afternoon. Sir Peregrine and Lord Baltor discovered a mutual interest in billiards and went off to take a crack at the balls. Mr. Nickleby voiced a half-wish to join them, an aspiration quashed by his wife who scolded him for succumbing to what would surely become a gambling match. “For we all have heard what goes on in those clubs of the Quality,” she said. He apologized for even thinking of indulging himself in such an evil and instead joined Mr. Smith in the library, each lying in an easy chair with a newspaper spread over his face that soon rose with rhythmic regularity. Mrs. Nickleby looked to Miss Grantham for what she termed a comfortable coze, but that lady firmly excused herself and took herself upstairs to visit with her recalcitrant guest.
    In the hall Judith met the maid who was looking after Cecily. Noticing the still-laden luncheon tray in the woman’s hands, Judith stopped her. “Hasn’t Miss Brown any appetite?”
    The maid shook her head. “The miss nibbled on naught but a cracker or two, Miss Grantham. And she took nothing but tea and dry toast for breakfast,” she said.
    Judith quietly thanked the maidservant and walked on. Her brows had become knit by a small frown. Cecily had not had anything substantial to eat since before she had met her. Judith thought that was something else that must be addressed. She simply could not have the girl becoming ill, not with Sir Peregrine convinced that she was capable of contriving any sort of ruse to keep his ward from him.
    Cecily granted Judith’s entrance to the bedroom with a show of reluctance. “For I know why you have come, Miss Grantham. And I have not changed my mind by so much as a hair,” she said. There was a spot of color high on her cheekbones as though she was flustered, but her eyes appeared bright with obstinacy.
    It was not a promising beginning, but Judith was highly motivated to persuade the girl to at least a compromise. She seated herself in a wing chair in front of the grate, glancing up at the young girl as she did so. “Pray sit down, Cecily,” she said quietly.
    After a moment’s hesitation, Cecily did as she was bid and perched on the edge of an accompanying chair. She folded her hands in her lap and her lashes dropped over the expression in her eyes.
    Judith was not fooled into thinking that the girl was in any fashion cowed. She was beginning to see what Sir Peregrine had referred to when he had said the he had had difficulty in reaching Cecily.
    Judith did not