‘Who?’ She looked surprised. ‘Your grandmother?’
‘Yes. That was her being welcoming.’
‘Welcoming?’ Her expression was so incredulous that he smiled.
‘Trust me, if she didn’t like you then she would have found a way to get rid of you by now. She never lets anyone she doesn’t like even sit down.’
‘How does she stop them? By asking them to pour tea instead?’
‘Usually she talks about ticks and worms and how she thinks she might have brought them in from the stables. Or, if she’s not sure about a person, she mentions fleas.’
‘Are they better than ticks and worms?’
‘No, but horses don’t get fleas. If the person knows that, she gives them a second chance. If she’s in a tolerant mood, that is.’
‘How generous.’ Her gaze narrowed. ‘Perhaps she’s just tolerating me because she wants to speak with my mother?’
‘That still wouldn’t stop her from throwing you out.’ He tipped his head forward and lowered his voice. ‘So now I know why your mother is here, but why did you come, Miss Fortini?’
‘To give her support, of course...’ her shoulders stiffened ‘...and to make sure that she isn’t upset.’
‘Ah.’ He glanced across to where Mrs Fortini and his grandmother were already deep in conversation. ‘Fortunately she seems quite happy at the moment. In fact, you’re the only one who looks unhappy. Is it so very terrible being invited for tea?’
‘That depends. Do you think I ought to feel honoured?’ She lifted her cup to her lips and took a sip. ‘I concede the tea itself is quite pleasant.’
‘So it’s just the company you find displeasing, then?’ He leaned back on the sofa, throwing one leg casually over the other. ‘The indolent aristocracy in their decadent lair?’
‘I never said so.’ She gave him a cutting look.
‘Some words don’t need to be spoken aloud. Your face is remarkably vocal. And of course you gave me the full force of your opinion yesterday.’
‘It’s not an opinion I apply to everybody. I find your grandfather, for example, to be quite charming.’
‘Yes, I believe he’s rather taken with you, too. I understand that you share a common interest in bees.’
‘No-o.’ An almost-smile danced about the edges of her lips. ‘But I’ve learnt a great deal from him. About butterflies, too.’ She glanced sideways and the smile vanished again. ‘He’s a true gentleman.’
‘Unlike myself, obviously.’ Samuel made an impatient gesture. ‘You might be right, but I’ve already admitted and apologised for my ungentlemanly conduct the other day, Miss Fortini. I prefer not to be lectured ad nauseam.’
‘I don’t believe that I’m keeping you here, Captain. There are several other vacant chairs.’
‘Yes, but since we’re talking about behaviour, you tempt me to make certain ungallant observations.’
‘Such as?’
‘Such as that your mother’s, for instance, is exactly what I would expect of a lady.’
‘My mother was born a lady. I was not.’ Her eyes flashed. ‘Perhaps I don’t care whether I behave like one or not.’
‘Well then, you can rest easy, but perhaps neither of us has acquitted ourselves well of late.’
‘I’m perfectly at ease with my behaviour, Captain.’
Samuel sighed, tempted to take her advice and go and sit somewhere else instead. Apparently she had no intention of forgiving him, in which case he had better things to do than drink tea and be insulted, but he made one last attempt anyway. ‘How is your assistant? I hope that she wasn’t too upset after yesterday.’
She gave him a sidelong look, the combative glint in her eye fading slightly. ‘I believe she was, but she seems to have recovered from the shock. She came to work early this morning to help me with the baking. I think that she feels guilty for lying.’
‘She ought to. It’s fortunate she isn’t in the navy.’