Chapter 8: Mrs. Calloway Identifies Lord Stormcroft as an Eligible Prospect

The morning after the Thames expedition arrived with the particular quality of November light that makes everything look recently accused of something.

Petra had slept adequately, which was to say she had lain in the dark for three hours composing careful rebuttals to arguments no one had yet made, then slept for five more, and had woken with the distinct sensation of having settled nothing while her subconscious continued its own proceedings without her. She dressed without assistance, which her mother considered a character defect, and was seated at the breakfast table with her second cup of tea before Mrs. Calloway descended.

Mrs. Calloway descended with purpose.