The Earl was irritated to find that, as he greeted his guests, Lady Imogen stood so near to him that it almost appeared as if she was receiving them with him.
It was quite obvious that she intended to make it very clear to everyone arriving at Meltham House that she had a special place there.
It was, he thought, what he might have expected her to do.
Equally the fact that she was deliberately inviting comment about their association annoyed him.
More and more guests arrived and by half past ten he was aware that he was watching the door in an apprehensive fashion that was very unlike his usual air of indifference.
Then, just as he was beginning to wonder if anything untoward had happened to delay her, Celesta appeared.
The Earl had sent a carriage for her and Giles, and the fact that
