Page 35 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

Noelle watched with interest as the occupants emerged from the vehicle. The first person to descend was Nathan, his face stamped with relief. He held up a hand to a young woman who carried a small bundle in her arms. The bundle began to squirm, and Noelle realized that this must be Lady Lockwood’s infamous dog. Writhing madly, the animal managed to jump from the woman’s arms with no apparent harm and tore across the courtyard, emitting the strangest sound, almost like a screaming asthmatic child. Noelle now understood why Adeline had compared it to a flock of geese. Carlisle sighed and looked down at the dog as it attacked his boot.

“No! Petunia!” The woman ran to them. “Carlisle, I’m so sorry.” She snatched up the squirming dog.

“No need to apologize,” he told her with a warm smile. “I am well acquainted with our Petunia. No doubt we’ll miss her when she’s gone. How soon do you think that might be?”

“Never,” Adeline said darkly. “I’m convinced that animal is immortal. Annabeth, dearest.” She stepped forward to hug the young woman, protesting dog and all.

Petunia was barrel-chested and short-legged like a bulldog, but smaller and with golden fur. She had large black eyes, a very short black snout, and a curly tail like a pig. Judging by the rolls of fat on her body, she must eat like one, as well.

The woman, on the other hand, had a heart-shaped face, a warm smile, and green eyes that twinkled with humor. Adeline released her niece and introduced her to Noelle. Annabeth, her eyes now tinged with curiosity and a certain reserve, held out her hand to Noelle. The countess’s niece was not ready to accept her just yet, but she was not, Noelle thought, antagonistic.

Before Noelle could utter a greeting, there was a loud rap from the direction of the carriage and a sharp, “Annabeth! Come here! What are you doing, hanging about over there? You know I need your assistance.”

“I’m sorry, Grandmother,” Annabeth replied with an ease that hinted at many repetitions. “I had to catch Petunia.” She returned to the carriage.

Nathan, standing beside the vehicle with his hand up to help Lady Lockwood step down, said with strained patience, “Lady Lockwood, please, allow me to assist you. I assure you that I am quite capable.”

Lady Lockwood barely spared him a glance. “Nonsense. Annabeth knows exactly how to do it. Besides, after that jarring ride, I expect I’ll require both of you.”

Nathan’s smile grew even more fixed. Annabeth, holding the dog in a firm grip with one arm, arrived at the steps. Her grandmother planted one hand on her shoulder and stepped down, using the cane to support her on the other side. The slender Annabeth must be sturdier than she looked; Lady Lockwood was a large woman. Nathan put his hand beneath her elbow to steady her.

After this lengthy process, Lady Lockwood shook out her skirts, adjusted her hat, and strode forward with little sign of frailty, using her cane more for emphasis than support. She was a formidable sight, dressed all in purple, her bodice fitted and her full skirts hooped to the sides in the style of the past century. Her iron gray hair was unpowdered, but it was done up in an elaborate tower reminiscent of the same period, and atop it was perched a wide-brimmed hat decorated with an array of ribbons and feathers.

She marched majestically up to the countess, holding out her hand. For one wild moment, Noelle thought Lady Lockwood expected Adeline to kneel and kiss her ring, but Adeline only took it, saying, “Mother, welcome to Stonecliffe. I am so glad...” Her voice trailed off.

“Carlisle.” The lady gave her hand in the same regal way to Thorne. “You ought to do something about that road. It’s nothing but ruts and potholes. I’m sure I must have a bruised liver.”

“I’m sorry, my lady, but I fear I have little control over the king’s roads,” Carlisle returned. “I hope the drive to the house was smooth, however.”

She retorted with only a hmph and swung back to her daughter. “Now, show me this girl.”

As if Noelle wasn’t standing three feet away from her.

“Yes, of course.” Adeline turned toward Noelle. “Mother, this is—”

“I am Noelle Rutherford, Adam’s widow,” Noelle said, stepping forward boldly. It was a bit rude to introduce oneself, but she was not about to let this woman cow her.

“Well.” The older woman’s eyebrows rose.

“Yes,” Adeline said before her mother could respond. “Noelle, please allow me to introduce my mother, Lady Lockwood.”

“Indeed.” Lady Lockwood lifted her chin and sent a cool, assessing gaze down Noelle.

Noelle made a curtsy that was enough to be respectful of the woman’s age and rank but showed no sign of subservience. Noelle suspected that it would be a mistake to let Lady Lockwood think she was awed by her.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” Noelle lied. “My husband spoke of you often.” That was another bouncer, as she could not remember Adam mentioning the woman. She was counting, however, on the fact that he had never told her anything disparaging about the woman, either, which led Noelle to suspect that Adam might have been a favorite of Lady Lockwood’s.

It seemed she was correct, for Lady Lockwood’s brows and chin lowered a bit, and she said only, “Hm. I knew Adam would marry a beauty.” With a sniff, she stalked past them into the house.

Beside Noelle, Adeline’s shoulders relaxed, and she gave Noelle a hopeful smile before she followed her mother into the house. Carlisle sent Noelle a sardonic look and murmured, “First test passed.”

Lady Lockwood and Annabeth, still carrying the dog, disappeared up the stairs with Adeline. Carlisle turned to a frazzled-looking Nathan. “I take it that it was a difficult journey.”

“That woman could drive a saint to murder.” Nathan blew out a long breath and followed Carlisle and Noelle into the entry hall. “If it wasn’t the road, it was the heat—when she was the one who insisted on keeping the windows shut against the dust! Or the unsatisfactory service at any of the three—three, mind you!—inns at which she insisted on stopping. And that little beast put teeth marks in my new Hobys.” He gazed mournfully down at his boots. “I just got them last week.”

Carlisle chuckled. “That’s why I always wear an old pair of boots around that hellhound.”

Nathan sent him a fulminating look. “You might at least have the decency to pretend not to be amused.” He turned to Noelle. “I must say, you handled her brilliantly.”