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"You can finish later," Lisette said cheerfully, holding out her hand
"Anne and I don’tasked "I’ll just finish my plate and retire upstairs"
"Well, I do mind," Villiers said coolly "If you ht ask Lady Eleanor or Mrs Bouchon to act as hostess in your place"
Lisette laughed, but there was a dangerous edge there, an edge that Eleanor reo "Why on earth would I adhere to such stuffy rules? I don’t run irls, so I shall go And I know that you want to co up at her
Her hand dropped
"I wish to finish my fowl, and then I plan to have some of that excellent lamb that Popper has on the side table," Villiers said "And after that I shall likely have so as well"
There was a dangerous, tre in the balance But then Lisette’s face cleared and she burst out laughing "You hter "You’re completely worthless if you haven’t finished your meal I know that" She shook her head "My papa is exactly the sa tea and toast"
"Exactly," Villiers said, taking a bite of fowl "Do give the children my best"
"I’ll tell them you’ll be upstairs in tenout the door
"I won’t--" he said But she was gone
"Popper," Villiers said to the butler, "wait until Lady Lisette has left the nursery, and then infor, just as I told theo, would you?"
"Of course, Your Grace," Popper said
Eleanor allowed a footman to take away her sole, since it was rather salty to her taste, and accepted a slice of Milanese flan in its place
"That ard," Villiers said after a ti," Eleanor said
"Yes," Villiers said thoughtfully "I, on the other hand, care a great deal for eating You seem to share my preference"
Eleanor was instantly conscious that she was far more curvy than Lisette, and likely could stand to lose soht
"Do you suppose that the Duke of Astley will really return for the treasure hunt?" Anne asked
Eleanor felt a deep certainty that he would In her opinion, Gideon had gone slightly er
"Of course he will," Villiers said "He’s in love"
"In love," Anne said, as if tasting the words "What an extraordinary concept for such a tireso to Eleanor, "I really do owe both you and hiy"
"I can’t think why," Eleanor said, endeavoring to end the conversation the way their mother surely would have
"I told you that the h, that he was a weak-chinned "