Tea and Scandal by Joan Smith

asked.
    “ Why did you look at me in that pleading way? I thought you were uncomfortable with the conversation, if one can call two cats hissing conversation. I was merely trying to divert the talk to less violent channels. ”
    “ I was uncomfortable, but I didn ’ t mean for you to draw Lady Sykes ’ s attention to me. ”
    “ I ’ m sure you were already the cynosure of all eyes, ma ’ am. It is the inevitable fate of the youngest, prettiest lady in the room. ” Jane gave a little snort of derision.
    “Considering the competition, there is not much compliment in that comparison,” he added. “I shall improve on my compliments as we go on. How was I to know Phoebe would subject you to such a barrage of questions? It seems you attract interrogators, Miss Lonsdale, ” he said, smiling ruefully.
    She replied, “ I cannot imagine why I have suddenly incited so much curiosity, unless it is my relationship to Aunt Fay. ”
    “ I fancy you ’ ve hit the nail on the head. ”
    “ It ’ s a pity the ladies cannot rub along better. Aunt Fay is lonesome here. ”
    “ She has you now. Such charming company must go a long way toward alleviating the situation. ” He sketched a small bow to accompany his compliment. Then he peered at her archly. “ Was that better? ”
    Jane assumed this sort of flirtation was the accepted mode amongst fine lords and ladies, and smiled her approval. “ Aunt Fay has no one of her own age. I think she misses Lizzie — Lady Pargeter, I should say. ”
    “ And not her late husband, Lord Pargeter? ”
    Jane found herself being examined by a pair of brightly curious eyes. “ And Pargeter, of course, but a lady likes to have a female of her own age to discuss those things that are of interest only to ladies. ”
    “ I should think you ’ re missing your friends as well, Miss Lonsdale. I am obviously not a female, and a decade older than you, but if you would like to discuss those things you imagine only ladies are interested in, I should be happy to try to oblige you. ”
    “ Oh, I am not lonesome yet. ”
    “I am,” he said bluntly. “Let us comfort and console each other with a good scandal broth. Now, where shall we begin our gossip? What do you think of Phoebe ’ s bonnet? Did you ever see such a quiz? ”
    Jane ’ s eyes widened in astonishment to hear such nonsense from Lord Fenwick. Her notion of him had been formed on his first visit when he had questioned her so brusquely, almost rudely. He hardly seemed to be the same man today.
    Undeterred by her lack of response, Fenwick chatted on. “ It would do well enough for a widow, but for a distant cousin to be donning such a load of crape is doing it too brown — or in this case, too black. Much good it will do her, unless Pargeter is looking down on her from above. And even then, he can hardly change his will. ”
    He was rewarded by a small gurgle of laughter. “ What is of more interest to me is Mr. Gurney ’ s setting up a flirtation with my aunt, ” she said.
    “ Your wits are gone begging, ma ’ am. He ’ s planning to root you out, limb and branch, and replace you as Lady Pargeter ’ s companion. A curious notion of horticulture to be sure, to replace a healthy young rose with a withered stump of yew, but you will find no excess of intelligence at Swann Hall. ” He noticed that, instead of being flattered at being called a rose, she was regarding him with narrowed eyes. “ Why are you looking at me like that? ” he asked bluntly.
    “ I hadn ’ t realized I was looking at you in an objectionable way, but as you ask, I wondered why you continue your visit at Swann Hall if the company does not please you. Mr. Swann mentioned yesterday that you were on your way to your hunting box. It is close by, I believe? ”
    “ To tell the truth, I always enjoy a good family squabble. Having stumbled into a prime one, I am loath to leave until it is settled, one way or the other — by trick or by treaty. ”
    “ It is