She greeted Lily with a friendly smile and a slight wave, her rich blue eyes made even more so by the perfect shade of her gown. Then those eyes fell on Adelaide, and the brows slowly rose. That was not encouraging.

But Adelaide was not one of the most accomplished and composed young ladies in Society without cause. She lifted her chin a touch higher and strode forward with all the grace she could manage.

The copper-haired woman rose from her seat, and, to her credit, offered Adelaide a smile just a shade dimmer than the one she had given Lily.

“Lady Basset, might I present Mrs. Julia Roskelley?” Lily intoned with more kindness and warmth than any majordomo in the world. “Julia is a friend and neighbor from Cornwall.”

Adelaide curtseyed politely, swallowing the sting of bitterness at another reference to Basset’s past and ranks where she had none. “Mrs. Roskelley.”

“Julia, please,” Mrs. Roskelley said with a light laugh. “I’ve known Basset since we were children. I can hardly start being Mrs. Roskelley now.”

“Ah,” Adelaide replied without any laughter whatsoever, “so you are the one to tell me how wonderful my husband is and how fortunate my new married state is. Very well, I am ready for the lecture when you are prepared to give it.”

Mrs. Roskelley and Lily exchanged a look, then returned their attention to Adelaide. “I don’t know that any new married state is fortunate,” Mrs. Roskelley admitted with an uncertain smile. “It’s all nerves and adjustment and a flurry of activity that no one speaks of until it is upon you.”

Well, at least the woman understood that.

Adelaide did her the courtesy of nodding, feeling good manners ought to outweigh preconceived notions. “I would agree.”

“And as for Basset…” Mrs. Roskelley scoffed softly, looking across the room at him. “He is wonderful, I grant you. He is an excellent man, a fine master, an attentive landlord, but he is also maddening, stubborn, dense as a barn, and in desperate need of a laugh or two.” Her eyes returned to Adelaide, her smile more mischievous. “How is that for the impression of an old friend?”

There was no helping Adelaide’s slightly gaping mouth, nor the complete and utter lack of words for the space of four heartbeats. It was truly beyond anything she had anticipated.

And then, when she had gathered herself, all she could do was laugh.

“I did not…” she managed between helpless giggles. “I had not…”

“You expected praises to be sung,” Mrs. Roskelley answered for her. “I completely understand. The nature of your engagement was not one to allow for true introductions of each other, I gather. No doubt Basset was all business and formality?” At Adelaide’s nod, Mrs. Roskelley gave one of her own, sighing. “I advised him that was not wise, and his sister did as well, but he will do as he pleases, that one.”