Della couldn’t help but look at them. Her mother’s mouth was pressed into a thin line, while her expression made it look as though she was on the verge of speaking, but couldn’t find the words.

Unusual for her mother, who could usually find words—often the entirely wrong ones—at any given moment.

Della tried to keep herself quiet also, but she found the words spilling out of her mouth before she realized it.

“Good evening, Mother. Father.” She nodded at each of them in turn, watching as her father’s face began to turn a dark red.

“Let’s get some punch,” Eleanor said, tugging on Della’s arm. Della shook her off, turning to face her parents directly.

“We can at least be civil to one another,” she said, raising her voice so the people nearby could hear. She wouldn’t have anyone say she was unkind or that she had avoided the confrontation.

The duchess glanced from her husband to Della and back again, her urge to speak clearly warring with her urge to keep her husband from exploding in public. “Is it true you are engaged to Viscount Stanbury?”

Della hated to hide behind the false engagement as a way to mend things with her parents, but she did have to admit it was a lot better than having them pointedly snub her when they saw her out.

“Yes.”

“The heir to the Duke of Northam?” her father said, sounding skeptical.

“The very same,” Della replied, taking petty satisfaction in how both her parents were clearly weighing what response would give them the best social standing.

“That is lovely news! I am so happy you are back in London, you must come to tea some afternoon.”

Della pulled her mouth into a semblance of a smile. “Thank you. Nora would love that.”

Her mother’s eyes widened, and she glanced nervously back at the duke, who looked as though he were on the verge of saying no, but then he gave a brief nod. “We won’t keep you from getting something to drink,” he said in a clear dismissal.

“Please send our best to your betrothed,” the duchess added. “Perhaps he would like to come to tea as well?”

It was obvious that her parents would have continued to snub her if she had been just herself, not the recent betrothed of the heir to the Duke of Northam. It aggravated her, being so dependent on him for her good name, but then again, it would all change once their engagement was known to be broken.

So she had that to look forward to.

Ugh.

“Della?” Eleanor said.

“Yes, of course. Punch.”

They walked quickly, Eleanor leaning in to speak in a low voice. “Are you all right? Should we leave?”

“No. I am thirsty, and Lord Stanbury should be here any minute now.”

“You are so brave, Della,” Eleanor replied in an admiring tone.