Rutland Place by Anne Perry Read Free Book Online

passed on, Mrs. Pitt. I’m sure you will understand if I say that we find it distressing to discuss.”
    Since Charlotte had not spoken, she thought his manner less than courteous, but for Ambrosine’s sake she restrained herself.
    “Of course,” she said. “I myself seldom speak of those I have lost, for the same reason.”
    To her satisfaction, he looked a little taken aback. Obviously he had not considered the possibility that she might have feelings on the subject.
    “Quite,” he said hastily. “Quite!”
    Charlotte deliberately took another cream cake, and was forced to spend the next few moments concentrating on eating it without dropping the cream down her bosom.
    Conversation became polite and stilted. They discussed the weather, what the newspapers were reporting in the Society columns, and the possibility—or, in Lovell’s opinion, the impossibility—of there being any lost treasures in Africa, such as those that were portrayed in Mr. Rider Haggard’s novel King Solomon’s Mines, published the previous year.
    “Nonsense,” he said firmly. “Dangerous imagination. Fellow ought to employ his time to better purpose. Ridiculous way for a grown man to earn his living, spinning fantasies to beguile foolish women and girls who are susceptible enough to take him seriously. Overstimulating the minds of such persons is bad for their health . . . and their morals!”
    “I think it is an excellent way to employ oneself,” said a young man of perhaps twenty-nine or thirty, coming into the room with a wave of his arm. He helped himself to the last cake, ate it almost in one gulp, and flashed a dazzling smile at Charlotte, then at Caroline. He picked up the teapot to test if there was anything still in it. “Harms no one and entertains thousands. Brings a little color into lives that might ordinarily never have a dream worth indulging. Without dreams their lives might be unbearable.”
    “Never heard such nonsense!” Lovell replied. “Panders to overheated imaginations, and to greed. If you wish for tea, Inigo, please ring for the maid and request it instead of swinging the pot around like that. That is what servants are for. I don’t think you have been introduced to Mrs. Pitt?”
    Inigo looked at Charlotte. “Of course not. If I had, I would most certainly have remembered. How do you do, Mrs. Pitt. I will not ask how you are. You are obviously in excellent health— and spirits.”
    “Indeed I am.” Charlotte tried to keep up the front of dignity she knew Caroline would wish, if not expect. “And if you said less for yourself, I should find it hard to believe,” she added.
    “Oh!” His eyebrows went up with evident pleasure. “A woman of opinions. You would have liked my sister Tillie. She always had opinions. A few rather odd ones, mind, but she always knew what she thought, and usually said so.”
    “Inigo!” Lovell’s face was deeply flushed. “Your sister has passed away. Kindly remember that, and do not speak of her in that flippant and overfamiliar manner!” He swung round. “I apologize, Mrs. Pitt. Such indelicacy must be embarrassing to you.” His tone lacked conviction. In his mind, Charlotte was already hardly better than his son.
    “On the contrary.” Charlotte settled more comfortably into her seat. “I find it very easy to understand how one still thinks with great vividness and affection of those whom one has loved. We all bear our losses in different ways—however is easiest for us—and afford others the same comfort.”
    Lovell’s face paled, but before he could reply Caroline stood up, setting her cup and saucer on the table.
    “It has been most charming,” she said to no one in particular. “But we have other calls it would be only civil to make. I trust you will excuse us? My dear Ambrosine, I do hope I shall see you again soon. Good afternoon, Mr. Charrington, Inigo.”
    Lovell rose from his chair and bowed. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Ellison, Mrs. Pitt. So