Chapter Seven
Merry kept a watchful eye on Sir Barnaby. He pokered up splendidly when they reached Brompton Court—she practically saw him don invisible armor as they climbed the steps to the front door—but when no sidelong glances or sly whispers came his way, he lost his stiff self-consciousness. Serendipity seated her across from him at the long, gleaming mahogany dinner table, and a fortunate gap in the flower arrangement afforded her a good view of him. During the first course she watched him gently and kindly draw out Sir Anthony’s shyest daughter, seated on his right. When the second course arrived, he turned his attention to Sir Anthony’s mother, stout in her widow’s silks on his left. Sir Barnaby made the dowager laugh twice.
The meal drew to its close, the other guests arrived,
