Miles scowled. “Well, it’s fortunate we had Webb court-martialled and not flogged because as punishment, it might not have had the intended effect.”
Dair laughed. “I’d miss you, Cousin, if you were dead. Come, I’ll help you plan for tomorrow in return for a dram of your fine Glenlivet.”
How could Miles refuse?
20
TREE GALL: ABNORMAL OUTGROWTH
Verity stared to an autumn sky cloaked with grey cloud; it muted the light to pewter and muffled birdsong like a woollen shawl.
More than a few years had passed since she’d visited Kew and that had been a summer’s day full of colour and growth. This afternoon, the deserted Gardens whispered instead of sang, readying for the coming winter slumber, though it was no less beautiful, dull golds creeping over green, withered copper leaves sent spinning to the grass in the stiff breeze.
It was an afternoon for reflection and secrets and–
“Rather obscene,” declared Aunt Theo.
Sephi gasped. “It’s bigger than I recall.”
Miles coughed. “Unique though, no?”
With a suppressed giggle, Verity twisted to her relatives – the Scandalous Scarlet Spinsters assembled at last – and to the Kew Gardens’ pagoda that reached into that grey sky at some one-hundred and sixty-three feet tall.
Modelled on a famed pagoda in China, this was constructed in brick with ten roofed storeys guarded by rails of white and red. The original surely suited the eastern setting but hereamongst the gentle landscaping of English trees and a few grazing deer, it rose like an incongruous protrusion.
“Some years ago,” Miles continued, “it had gilded dragons on all the roof tips. But it’s rumoured Prinny sold them to pay his debts.”
“Or the weather saw them take flight,” muttered Sephi.
Aunt’s bonnet tipped back. “How many steps is it to the top?”
“Surely you don’t wish to climb them?” Verity tipped her head back also. “It’s over two hundred or so.”
Aunt Theo blinked and picked up her carpet bag. “Do you know, I believe I shall. The view will be stupendous. Persephone, you will accompany me.”
“What?” Sephi huffed. “I’ll expire on step fifty.”
But Aunt seized poor Sephi’s arm like a dragon with a lump of gold. “I insist as I will need your arm for strength.”
Verity held out her arm also. “You can have mine too. We’ll–”
“No, no.” Aunt pursed her lips but her eyes twinkled like diamonds. “You should stay with Lord Stonewold, my darling. And stroll. Places.” She wafted a hand at Kew’s landscape. “In any case, I’m sure Lord Stonewold will never make it up all those steps due to his war wounds.”
A frown passed Miles’ brow. “But I’ve no–”
“There, you see. Now, my darling Verity, what time did you tell Daniel to collect us in the phaeton?”
“Five o’clock at the side carriage gate.”
Miles had suggested they travel to Kew independently, which she’d assumed was because he would prefer to ride, but instead his closed town carriage had drawn up at the gate.
Aunt squinted to the leaden sky. “Fortuitous that I brought sustenance then. Now, come along, Sephi. Deep breath and gird your loins. Afterwards, we’ll partake of a restorative cold tea and biscuits in the Temple of Aeolus.”
Sephi muttered but was no match for Aunt who hustled her off towards the pagoda.
“It seems,” murmured Miles, “we’ve been outmanoeuvred.”
Verity tutted. “Aunt doesn’t believe in chaperoning. She says it just encourages surreptitious behaviour.”
