Francesca and Lady Daphne, Callie noticed, were seated as far apart as they could get and still remain on the blanket, and there was a faint flush to Francesca’s cheeks, telling Callie that she was not in the best of humors. Miss Swanson and Irene were seated between them, the latter looking determinedly inexpressive and the former seeming blissfully unaware.“Ah, Lady Calandra! And Bromwell. You naughty children, to have escaped like that,” Lady Daphne said brightly, and pointed a mockingly admonishing finger. “You will set tongues wagging with that sort of behavior.”“Not unless someone sets out to spread such rumors, Lady Swithington,” Francesca commented sharply, sending the other woman an icy look.“Well, of course, none of us would remark on such a thing,” Lady Daphne replied, looking wounded. “We all know what it is to be young and lively, do we not?” She smiled archly at the men.“I think you will find that you need not be concerned about Lady Calandra’s reputation, Lady Swithington,”
