Read Online A Lady in Name by Elizabeth Bailey - Free Book Online

Lucy’s tongue cleaved to the roof of her mouth. How in the world was she to answer without giving all away?
    ‘It is a trifle complicated,’ she managed.
    ‘Excellent. I enjoy nothing better than a puzzle. Tell me all.’
    Lucy looked wildly across the table at Dion, who made a face of utter helplessness, and thence to Lord Pennington. His eyes met hers, the brows above slightly raised, but his mouth firmly closed. Lucy’s heart sank. He was not going to help her. Surely he could not wish his mother to know the truth? It was evident Dion had no notion of revealing it. Lucy turned back to Mrs Ankerville and found the large eyes sparkling and eager.
    ‘I scent a mystery.’
    Lucy sighed. ‘Yes. Something of the sort. There is—there is some question about my parentage.’
    Mrs Ankerville’s look became penetrating, much to Lucy’s discomfiture.
    ‘Do you mean you were born on the wrong side of the blanket? How very interesting. There is a great deal of nonsense talked about illegitimacy, you must know. Yet all the best families throughout history have laid claim to higher birth through just such a connection. Our medieval ancestors made far less fuss. Why, only think of William the Bastard, from whom every other family in the land would like to claim descent. Boys were taken care of. Girls were either married off with a dowry or sent to the nunnery.’
    ‘I think we can spare Lucy that fate,’ came Lord Pennington’s amused interruption. His eye gleamed as he turned it on Lucy. ‘I would have rescued you, had I anticipated any other reaction.’
    Lucy was chagrined. ‘You might have warned me, however.’
    ‘I wanted to see how you would deal with it.’
    ‘I am well aware of that.’
    ‘Stefanus, do be quiet,’ cut in his mother. ‘I have not finished my investigations.’
    ‘Oh, yes, you have, Mama. Lucy has been embarrassed enough.’
    ‘Yes, quite enough,’ agreed Dion, throwing a warm look across the table.
    Mrs Ankerville frowned. ‘But no one has told me in what relation Lucinda stands to our family.’
    Lord Pennington gave her a meaning look, flicking a glance at the footman and the butler, waiting patiently to serve. Lucy looked anxiously at her hostess. From the little she had seen of her, she was confident Mrs Ankerville was one of those persons with a sublime disregard for the ears of servants. The butler, however, apparently knowing his mistress better than her children, signed to his junior to leave the room, meanwhile distracting his mistress by refilling her glass.
    ‘Thank you, Hawkesbury.’
    The butler bowed. ‘There was a package delivered for you earlier this evening, ma’am. It came by courier.’
    Mrs Ankerville was instantly diverted. ‘It must be the Italian manuscript! Why did you not tell me at once?’
    ‘I did not care to disturb you, ma’am, knowing how concentrated you are at your labours.’
    Lucy was surprised to see her hostess rising immediately.
    ‘Where is it?’
    ‘I will fetch it to you after dinner, ma’am.’
    ‘No, no, Hawkesbury. Come and give it to me at once. I have been waiting for it for several weeks.’
    With which, she hurried from the room, completely ignoring the rest of the company and leaving her half-eaten meal on the plate.
    ‘Masterly, Hawkesbury,’ said his lordship, his tone dry. ‘Don’t forget to send up a tray with a selection of fruits and sweet dishes.’
    Bowing, the butler retired without comment, and Lucy was alone with his lordship and Dion.
    ‘Don’t look so shocked, Lucy,’ said the latter merrily. ‘Corisande often leaves her meal unfinished. Usually she remembers some little fact she had meant to write down and must do so instantly, regardless of who may be dining with us.’
    ‘Fortunately, the majority of our acquaintance are so used to it, they do not turn a hair,’ added Lord Pennington.
    ‘And now Corisande has accepted you without question,’ pursued Dion, ‘I can bring up the notion of inviting you to