Echo arrived after luncheon and went directly to the problem.
“Is it true that Lady Primrose invited you?”
Aurelian handed her the formal invitation as she settled into the receiving room.
Vincente brought tea and cakes, placing them neatly between them, but Echo barely looked at either while reading.
The crease between her brows deepened.
“I cannot believe this.”
Aurelian sat opposite her.
“Is it truly so unusual?”
“Primrose gatherings are private.
They invite people they already trust, people they consider useful, or people they wish to examine more closely.”
“Which one am I?”
“That is what concerns me.”
Vincente coughed quietly while pouring the tea.
Echo set down the invitation and tapped one finger against its edge.
“Cecily probably spoke well of you after Beaumont’s tea, but Lady Primrose would not open her home simply because a child asked.
She could have sent thanks and left the matter there.”
Aurelian touched the pocket where Cecily’s note rested.
“Then why invite me?”
“My guess?” Echo leaned back.
“She wants to know whether what she saw at the welcome tea was genuine.”
Aurelian frowned.
“Whether retrieving the ribbon was genuine?”
“Whether you are.
You have become very visible very quickly.
She may want to know whether you are truly a kind provincial baron or someone clever enough to use kindness as a performance.”
Aurelian looked wounded.
“Do I seem clever enough for that?”
Echo paused.
Aurelian stared at her.
He sighed.
“You did not have to think about it.”
“I was deciding how honest to be.”
Vincente turned away, shoulders moving once.
Aurelian noticed.
He chose to ignore him.
“How do I prepare?”
“That is difficult.”
“That is not reassuring.”
“It was not meant to be.” Echo reached for a cake.
“Lady Primrose values manners, responsibility, and sincerity.
Whatever she asks, answer carefully.
Do not become overly familiar.
Do not extend private invitations to unmarried women.”
“That happened once.”
“Once was enough.”
“The invitation was innocent.”
“I know.” Echo leaned forward.
“But noble society does not care only about what you intend.
It cares about what can be repeated.”
Aurelian had begun to hate that distinction.
He picked up his cup but did not drink.
“What exactly will she test?”
“I do not know.”
“How will I recognize it?”
“You probably will not.”
Aurelian slowly lowered the cup.
He stared at her.
Echo offered a sympathetic smile.
“You may discover the test only after you have answered it.”
“That sounds deliberately cruel.”
“That sounds like court society.”
Aurelian reached for his tea and finally took a drink.
“I need a gift for the hostess.”
“That, at least, is straightforward.”
“My father received a new Bellafonte blend that has not reached the capital markets yet.
Rose petals, dried raspberry, hibiscus, lemon peel, rosehips, and apple.”
Echo’s brows lifted.
“That is surprisingly thoughtful.”
Aurelian frowned.
“Surprisingly?”
“Do not ruin the compliment.”
He let it pass.
“Tea is appropriate,” she continued.
“Rare enough to be interesting, connected to your territory, and not romantic.”
“I had also considered sunflowers.”
Echo slowly lowered her cup.
“No.”
“They are only flowers.”
“In Bellafonte, perhaps.”
“In Bellafonte, people bring flowers when visiting someone’s home.”
“In Evelina, flowers may carry romantic meanings depending on the variety, color, arrangement, season, and manner of presentation.”
Aurelian looked appalled.
“Why?”
“Because society was apparently not complicated enough.”
“Perhaps society should stop assigning secret meanings to plants.”
“After Duchess Vaelmont, I would avoid criticizing anything for having secret meanings.”
His shoulders slumped.
“The tea is enough.”
Aurelian reached for a biscuit, then paused with his fingers just above the plate.
“I should bring something for Cecily.”
Echo’s expression became wary.
“What?”
“I do not know yet.”
“No jewelry.”
Aurelian looked at her.
“I was not considering jewelry.”
“No flowers.”
“She is ten.”
“You invited a duchess to your estate because you thought she would enjoy the sunflowers.
I no longer trust assumptions.”
Aurelian looked offended.
“I only want to thank Cecily for the note.”
Echo studied him for a moment, then sighed.
“A book would be appropriate.
Something modest and suitable for her age.”
Aurelian immediately relaxed “That I can do.”
“For once, your interests may save you from scandal.”
Aurelian decided to accept the victory.
The receiving-room door opened a few moments later, and Vincente returned carrying several garments over one arm.
Echo immediately brightened.
“Excellnt.
Pale shades.
Blue or green, perhaps.”
Aurelian looked between them.
First the invitation.
Then the gifts.
Now his clothing.
“I thought the goal was to make me approachable.”
“It is.”
“Then why do I feel as though I am being prepared for battle?”
Echo rose and moved toward Vincente to inspect the selection.
“Because you are.”