Chapter 16
Dinner was an extremely informal affair. They ate with Augustus, Lady Araminta, and Miss Rose in the small dining room. Dearne looked pale and distracted. Conversation was stilted, and Will was relieved when it was over and they could remove to the drawing room when none of the gentlemen wanted port. Dearne led his aunt out, and Augustus followed with Miss Rose, but then she said something to him and then came to stand before Will.
“Mr. Marsden. Might I have a word?”
“Of course. Will here suffice?”
“Perhaps we could borrow Lord Holbrook’s study for a moment. It is just here,” she said, gesturing to a door. Dearne’s head turned and he raised his eyebrows. Will shrugged and followed the small woman into the cold study. The sun was almost set, casting a dark orange glow about t
