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Lucy nearly groaned Papa’s hints that the viscount should leave were growing more and " Lord Iddesleigh pouredpain in ht arm, and a sort of nauseous dizziness when I stand, I’h Suppose you’ll be leaving us soon, eh?" Her father glowered from beneath his furry white brows "Maybe tomorrow?"

"Papa!" Lucy cut in before her father had their guest out the door tonight "Lord Iddesleigh just said he’s not fully recovered"

Mrs Brodie and Betsy came in to remove the soup dishes and serve the next course The housekeeper took a look around at the uncohed She met Lucy’s eyes and shook her head in sympathy before she left Everyone started on the roast chicken and peas

"I once went in Westminster Abbey," Mr Fletcher said

"Were you lost?" Lord Iddesleigh inquired politely

"Not at all Mother and the sisters were on an architectural binge"

"I didn’t know you had any sisters"

"I do Three"

"Good God Excuse me, Vicar"

"Two elder," Mr Fletcher said chattily, "one younger"

"My felicitations"

"Thanks Anye toured the Abbey about ten years ago now, in between St Paul’s and the Tower"

"And you but a young and impressionable lad" The viscount shook his head sorrowfully "It’s so sad when one hears about this type of debauchery at the hands of one’s elders Makes one wonder what England is co to"

Papa h winked across the table at her She tried to frown at hilass, but however awfully he behaved, she found it hard to censor hinificence, Eustace was a dusty sparrow in his usual brown broadcloth coat, breeches, and waistcoat Of course, Eustace looked quite well in brown, and one didn’t expect a country vicar to go about in silver brocade It would be improper, and he’d probably seem merely silly in such splendor Whichsilly, appeared downright dangerous in his finery

"Did you know if you stand in the middle of the Westminster nave and whistle, there is quite a nice echo?" Mr Fletcher said, looking around the table

"Absolutely fascinating," the viscount said "I’ll keep that in mind should I ever have occasion to visit the place and feel an urge to whistle"

"Yes, well, try not to do it within sight of a female relative Got my ears boxed" Mr Fletcher rubbed the side of his head, re

"Ah, the ladies do keep us in line" Eustace elevated his glass and looked at Lucy "I don’t knoe would do without their guiding hands"

She raised her eyebrows She wasn’t certain that she’d ever guided Eustace, but that seeh toasted her as well "Here, here My dearest wish is but to lie prostrate and humble beneath my lady’s iron thumb Her stern frown makes me tremble; her elusive smile causes me to stiffen and shake in ecstasy"

Lucy’s eyes widened even as her nipples tightened The wretch!

Mr Fletcher started coughing again

Papa and Eustace scowled, but it was the younger ot in the first word "I say, that’s a bit bold"

"It’s quite all right--" Lucy atte to her, despite their floords

"Bold?" The viscount lowered his glass "In ay?"

"Well, stiffen" The vicar blushed

Oh, for goodness’ sake! Lucy opened her et a word out

"Stiffen? Stiffen? Stiffen?" Lord Iddesleigh repeated, sounding uncolish word Descriptive and plain Used in all the best houses I’ve heard the king himself e now, Mr Penweeble"

Mr Fletcher was bent double, his hands covering his reddened face Lucy hoped he wouldn’t choke to death in his a shade of puce "What about ecstasy, then? I’d like to see you defend that, sir"

The viscount drew hi nose "I would think that you of all people, Vicar, a soldier in the ar and exquisite reasoning, a soul seeking the divine salvation only available through Christ our Lord, would understand that ecstasy is a h paused to eat a bite of chicken "What else did you think it entleled at the viscount Lucy looked frohtly war of words was getting tiresome

Then Papa spoke "Believe that

Mr Fletcher stopped choking and joined in the laughter Eustace grih he still looked uncolass, and watched Lucy over the rim with his silver eyes

He’d been both blasphemous and i, and she felt short of breath just looking at him