She was escorted into the foyer by Cass’s mother, Lady Moreland, and as soon as the widow saw the three of them standing there, Mrs. Langford’s beautiful face broke into a wide smile revealing perfect white teeth. She had pale green eyes, Jane noted once she’d come close enough. Yes, she looked like a princess. Well, not Princess Charlotte, but some sort of princess, a fairy-tale, breathtaking sort.

“Lady Cassandra!” Mrs. Langford said in a voice Jane found far too exuberant for such an early hour. People who favored the morning were so often too loud. “It’s so lovely to see you. You didn’t need to trouble yourself with coming to meet me.”

“It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Langford. I wanted to see you had a proper welcome. Do you know the Duchess of Claringdon and Miss Jane Lowndes?” Cass gestured to her friends.

Lucy nodded regally, something she’d been practicing ever since she became a duchess. “Mrs. Langford,” she intoned.

The widow curtsied formally. Once she straightened she said, “Your Grace. It’s so lovely to meet you. I am quite overwhelmed with gratitude that you would come and greet me.”

“Not at all,” Lucy responded, barely inclining her head. “I was anxious to meet the friend of my cousin Mr. Garrett Upton.”

Jane nearly took off her spectacles and rubbed her eyes. The look on Mrs. Langford’s face the moment Upton’s name was mentioned was downright … coy? Shy? Flirtatious? Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of rose, and she averted her gaze. “It’s an honor to call Mr. Upton a friend,” she said, still not meeting Lucy’s eyes.

Jane snapped her brows together. An honor? To call Upton a friend? Upton? Were they speaking of the same man?

“I’m certain Garrett is looking forward to seeing you,” Cass replied.

There was that coy blush again. It seemed so misplaced on the cheeks of a woman who had to be at least thirty.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Mrs. Langford said, “but I brought my footman, Boris, with me. I couldn’t go anywhere without him. Why, he’s nearly as precious to me as my maid.”

The maid and footman stood several paces behind their mistress. Boris was tall and dark with slightly curly brown hair. He had wide-set dark eyes and a look on his face that was a bit too arrogant for a footman. The maid, however, had bowed her dark head and cast her eyes downward. She reeked with obsequiousness. Jane had never taken such a dislike to servants upon sight. Good heavens, she was up far too early if she was bothered by innocent servants.

“It’s perfectly fine,” Cass’s mother replied graciously. “We’ll be happy to find a place for your footman to sleep and of course your maid is always welcome.”

A bright smile flashed across Mrs. Langford’s face. “You are too kind.”

“I do hope you’ve brought something to wear for the masquerade tomorrow night,” Cass added.

Mrs. Langford’s ever-present smile turned nearly predatory. “Yes, indeed. I’m greatly looking forward to it.”