“It is exceedingly irritating,” Lady Amesly sneered after a short pause, “that the Mother Superior would not keep you as I wished her to do.”
“I’m too old to be at school. Now I am back, I am hoping I will have the chance to enjoy myself as Mama and Papa would have wished me to do.”
“I think that’s very unlikely, Tania, as I find young girls a bore and so do the friends I am entertaining tonight. You will therefore take your dinner upstairs, as you should have had your luncheon.”
“Actually, as it so happens, I am going out tonight. I have been invited to dinner by two of Mama’s friends.”
“Friends! What friends?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Bracebridge, who live in Belgrave Square.”
She saw by the expression on her stepmother’s face that she knew who they were and she had doubtless wanted to be fri
