‘As am I, Grandmama.’ Alexander glared at her angrily. ‘Tomorrow I’m taking you and your servants back to Trevenor. Piers was supposed to be training me to manage the business. There’s very little we can do for him if he refuses to see us, and it’s time I took stock of the company. Who knows what I will find?’

Chapter Twenty

Aurelia strolled into the drawing room with a smug smile, which vanished when her grandmother reprimanded her for staying at Greystone Park that evening. Lady Pentelow gave vent to her temper, taking out her frustration on her granddaughter. Aurelia seemed genuinely shocked to discover that they were to return to Trevenor next day. Rosalind sat with her empty coffee cup still clutched in her hand, and she felt sorry for Aurelia, who had done nothing wrong.

‘I don’t understand.’ Aurelia turned to her brother. ‘What has happened, Alex? Why are we returning to Trevenor so soon?’

‘Because your brother says so, and I agree with him.’ Lady Pentelow rose from her seat by the fire. ‘This place has a bad effect on people, and I include you in that, Aurelia. I don’t want you to associate with Patricia Carey. She’s unmarried and living in the same house as her fiancé. That simply isn’t done.’

‘They’re getting married in less than a fortnight, Grandmama, and I am going to be one of her bridesmaids. I’ve already agreed so I can’t go back on it.’

‘Nonsense. You’re coming home with Alexander and me.’

‘No, Grandmama. I intend to stay here with Rosalind until after the wedding, or if she won’t have me I have been invited to stay at Greystone Park.’

‘Over my dead body,’ Lady Pentelow said angrily. ‘Patricia is no better than she should be. Are you willing to throw away your chances of making a good match by remaining here simply to act as her bridesmaid?’

‘Weddings are a good place to find a future husband. That’s what you’ve always told me, Grandmama,’ Aurelia said sweetly. ‘Besides which, Sir Michael is a Member of Parliament, and he has very wealthy and influential friends. Surely you approve of his connections?’

Lady Pentelow rose majestically to her feet. ‘I am going to my room. You must do what you wish, Aurelia, but I wash my hands of you. My grandchildren are a huge disappointment to me.’ She strutted out of the room with her head held high.

Aurelia sank down on the sofa beside Rosalind. ‘Oh dear. I’ve never seen her so upset. Perhaps I ought to go to her.’