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she was adamant. As she had informed Aldeborough, she
would not go back to Torrington Hall. So the sooner she confronted her aunt,
the better.
    'And
shall I bring tea, ma'am?' Rivers enquired. 'You might find it a useful
distraction.' His smile held a depth of understanding.
    'Yes, please.' She
smiled shyly. 'You are very kind.'
    Frances
found Viscountess Torrington seated before the fire in the drawing room.
Encouraged by Rivers's tacit support, she squared her shoulders, took a deep
breath and advanced into the room. Its furnishings paid more attention to
fashion than the library, with matching chairs and a sofa in straw-and-cream
striped silk brocade, but it had the chilly atmosphere of a room not much used.
It seemed to Frances an appropriate place for this unlooked-for confrontation
with her formidable aunt.
    'Aunt
Cordelia.' She forced her lips into a smile. 'I did not expect to see you
here.'
    Her
ladyship, she noticed immediately, had dressed carefully for this visit, no
doubt intent on making an impression on Aldeborough. Her stout frame was draped
in a green velvet three-quarter-length coat with silk braid trimming. A
matching turban with its single ostrich plume, black kid half- boots and kid
gloves completed an outfit more suitable for London society than country
visiting. Her curled and tinted hair, glinting red in the sunlight, would have
taken her unfortunate and long-suffering maid not a little time and effort to
achieve the desired result, but nothing could disguise the lines of discontent
and frustrated ambition round her cold blue eyes and narrow lips. If she was
disappointed not to meet Aldeborough, she gave no sign as Frances entered the
room.
    'I
dare say, but something has to be done to sort out this unfortunate situation.
And I did not think it wise to leave so delicate a matter to Torrington. The
outcome, if it became widely known, could be disastrous for all of us—' She
broke off abruptly. Her words might be conciliatory towards Frances, but her
voice was harsh and peremptory, her gaze on her niece full of contempt.
    'What is it you intend to
do, Aunt?' Frances cautiously sat on the edge of a chair facing her.
    'I have come to take you
home. We can hush up the matter and continue as if nothing happened. Whatever
might have happened here last night.'
    'Nothing happened ,' Frances answered calmly enough, but
remembered Aldeborough's warning.
    'I am afraid the world
will not believe that. Aldeborough's reputation is too well known. There must
be some plain speaking between us here, Frances. He might be rich, handsome
and a prize in the matrimonial stakes—I cannot deny it—but it is also well
known that no woman is safe from him, no matter what her class. And as for his
brother's untimely death—the least said about that the better. But that is not
our concern. Your reputation will be in shreds if we do not take immediate
action, and that can only reflect badly on the whole family. What possessed you
to run away and to throw yourself into Aldeborough's path? Of all men you could
not have made a worse choice, you little fool. It is imperative that you come
home with me now.'
    'I am amazed at such
concern, Aunt. I have to admit that I am unused to my feelings being shown such
consideration.'
    Her aunt ignored her
sarcasm, fixing her with a stony stare as if she might will her into obedience.
'You will return with me to Torrington Hall. Charles has agreed to marry you at
once as was planned. Nothing need change our arrangements.'
    'Poor Charles! Should I be
grateful for this, Aunt?'
    'Of course. No one else
will marry you after this escapade, that is certain. It will be impossible to
keep it secret. All those so-called friends of your uncle, gossiping as soon as
they are in their cups. It is too salacious a story to keep to themselves.'
    'But I don't choose to
marry. When I come into my inheritance I will be able to—'
    'Your inheritance,
indeed!' Lady Torrington broke in sharply. 'Don't deceive