Brenna fell back on the manners drilled into her as a girl. "My lady, how gracious of you to call." "Not in the least," she said in a testy voice. "The dower house is only a stone's throw from Wellingbroke. In my younger days I walked the distance in less time than it takes to order my coach." It occurred to Brenna that Theodora could have seen Drake's departure. But, idle as she might be, why would she watch from the windows of her own house or deliberately choose to pay a call while Drake was away? Courtesy forbade asking, and she took another tack. "How good to see you recovered. Drake was disappointed you couldn't travel to London to attend our wedding." The old countess let out a small derisive sound. "My health is excellent. And I don't doubt my grandson was greatly relieved." Had Drake lied to her? Or only tried to save her feelings? Whether it had been Theodora or Drake who contrived illness as an excuse, Brenna had no desire to make an enemy of Drake's grandmother.
