L sat through the brief service as he always did: silent, still, and inscrutable, his wide grey eyes seemingly fixed on his father-in-law. He was a paragon of rapt, respectful attention, his long white fingers folded neatly in his lap, a contrast to their usual activity. At one point, he shifted positions, then brought his thumb to his lower lip, as if very interested in what he was hearing.

In truth, he was inestimably bored and uncomfortable and his mind was wandering far afield. His sympathies were with his mother-in-law. These tedious services were always a good time for thought, and to observe the household, but they would have been better if there had been no speech at all. He could always consider things better in silence, but getting it could be a chore; he had to order everyone out and lock the door. Sometimes he envied the older man’s effortless solitude... but not his inactivity, his loss of reputation, or his seeming abandonment of personal ambition.

When it was over, L pushed to his feet and moved towards the door, eager to return to his work, but knowing that he would probably be detained. There were mundane duties here to attend to, as well as family and collegial friends -- at least his daughter had sailed away the moment she was able to. A servant might catch him in the hall.

There was also a possibility that Her Ladyship would crook her finger at him.