God damn it, he thought. Dash it all! The woman was persistent, if nothing else. He fought the urge to roll his eyes wildly at her with a big fat no, but the other part of him knew he had an obligation to be polite. He wasn't the type to lie, but a lie came easily enough to the tip of his tongue when he said, "I shall have my man send an invitation to the manor. I do believe my mother is planning a soiree for my return." That was true, but he wasn't actually going to send an invitation. He was just going to have to be a prick about it, which he wasn't a prick.

Olivia could barely contain herself at the news. Her eyes lit up.

"Oh I shall be glad of that, sir." she exclaimed. Her mother might break out of her morose state, to be happy for her for once. Might. "He shall be most welcome, sir. Most welcome indeed."

The lie had been told, now to disengage... "I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Carrington and Miss Carrington." He gave a nod and then took a step back.