“In future, perhaps you’ll feel more comfortable taking your meals in the morning room,” the woman said. “It must be difficult for you, keeping up with both your fork and your manners…”
Angelica swallowed back her shame, willing her cheeks not to burn. She couldn’t see the faces of the others, but they all grew quiet. They were watching her. Waiting. She raced to find a suitable response. The last thing she wanted was to cause another scene.
Captain Neill touched her arm. “No, Angelica. You’ll not be excluded—”
“I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.”
“If they’re uncomfortable, it’s their own damned fault,” he hissed. “Your table manners are better than mine.”
To her left, Marcus laughed. “Agreed.”
Both Neill brothers worked to lighten the mood, and to dispel any tension between she and their mother. But the woman was cruel, and she’d made her point—Angelica Grey was not welcome at her table.
Cynthia Cartwright spoke up from the place across from her. “How awful not to be able to read, write, or do maths. How do you know if you’re being cheated on your dress bills?”
Angelica smiled. “I don’t.”
“That’s what she has me for,” Captain Neill said.
She could practically feel the anger coming from Mrs. Neill’s rigid form, yet the woman’s tone was civil. “I certainly wouldn’t trust my son to handle your finances, Miss Grey.”
At her left, Marcus barked, “Mother!”
“What? We both know he cannot keep track of his own.”
Angelica wanted desperately to defend him. It was like his own family didn’t know the man that she’d fallen in love with. “I don’t think you give Brody nearly enough credit. He’s one of the most responsible gentlemen I’ve ever met. I have put my faith in him completely. He has never let me down.”
“Thank you, Angelica,” Captain Neill said, sadly. “But it’s no use.”
“No! They only want to see the old you. I know the real you—the man you’re working hard to be. I can’t claim to know the man you were before, but if you never hear it from anyone else, I believe in you.”
Captain Neill sat so silently that she thought she’d upset him. In fact, the whole table seemed to be struck dumb. Only Marcus leaned over to announce, “I believe in you, too, Brody.”
“Thank you, Markie. And thank you, Angelica, though I’m sorry you’ve wasted your words.”
“I didn’t say all that for your family’s benefit. I said it for yours.” She frowned down at her plate. He knew he had her love, and he knew he had Marcus’ support. What Captain Neill wanted most was his parents’ approval, yet Angelica feared he would never get it.
That would be the most painful snub of all.
Suddenly, Mary Rose spoke up, “I believe in you, too, Brody! Remember that time I fell into the pond? I know I wasn’t in any real danger, but you never hesitated. You jumped right in after me. Everyone laughed at us afterward, but I’ll never forget that as long as I live.”
His voice was tight as he replied, “You told me I’d embarrassed you.”
“You did! But I only said that in front of the others to shift the focus off me.”
“Well, thanks, M.R.”
“Oh, you’re quite welcome,” the young woman said, laughing. “Now, why don’t we all have our cake and coffee in the library? Peter and Cynthia know all the latest dances, and I want to practice my steps before tomorrow night.”
Six sets of chair legs scraped backward. Only Mr. and Mrs. Neill remained seated at the table. “You go on, dear,” their mother said to her daughter. “Your father and I have some things to discuss.”
Marcus stopped where he stood. Angelica could feel the tension in his muscles as his shoulder brushed hers. “I think I’ll hang back for a bit,” he said. “Not much use for me on the dance floor, I’m afraid.”
Angelica kept her voice low. She remembered his stiff prosthetic leg, and didn’t want him feeling left out of the fun. “You can sit and keep me company.”
He must have smiled. “Happily. Save me a seat by the drinks cabinet.”
Captain Neill took her arm and carefully guided her out of the drawing room and down the hall. The others rushed ahead in their excitement, leaving the two of them mostly alone.
“You’re a brave woman to stand up for me like that—especially to Mother.”
Angelica laughed. “I’m not brave. I’m a fool in love.”
“Well, they won’t doubt us now…”
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Laughing, he held the door open for her. “Of course, but my timing was rubbish, as usual.”
“I didn’t mean to cause any trouble between your family.” She stepped into the warm library. Cynthia and Mary Rose already had the gramophone crackling. There was the clink of glass and hiss of the soda-water siphon, and before Angelica took a seat on the sofa, drinks were passed around the room.
Someone must have offered one to she and Captain Neill, but Mary Rose stopped them. “Oh, Miss Grey doesn’t take drink, and Brody’s teetotal now.”