Rosalind’s sisters all sighed contentedly, while Miss Mayton nodded and buttered another piece of toast.
“Let us see that ring again,” Juliet said.
And so they went on very merrily, each of them trying on the ring and approving of the idea that Rosalind was an adorable minx.
All along, Rosalind had been determined to only recall what was happy about last evening. After all, it had worked so well!
In the end.
However, looking about at her sisters’ bright faces and Miss Mayton’s satisfied expression, she did feel compelled to say something of a warning.
“Now, all of my dear sisters,” she said, “I must acquaint you with one other idea that is perhaps not as pleasant to consider,” she said. “I did find, after getting myself into such a dangerous situation, that I had to reflect on how I got there.”
“It was all that fellow Mondrian’s fault,” Juliet said. “Darden told us of him. Terrible man.”
“Yes, he is indeed a terrible man,” Rosalind said. “But I invited him into my life, and it might have ended very badly for both myself and Shrimps. I only say, I do not know what adventures might be coming for all of you, but have a care. Do not be as foolhardy as I have been.”
“This must be laid at my door, I think,” Miss Mayton said. “I am older and more experienced and should have seen that something would go awry. But then, the pickpocket came off so well…”
“Nobody can blame you, Aunt,” Rosalind said. “I am a full-grown lady and it was my idea. Only, it turns out that Conbatten was planning to propose at the masque, so the whole thing was unnecessary. It was a danger that should never have happened.”
The sisters, being of a practical mind and perfectly willing to take on advice from Rosalind’s recent experience, vowed that whatever was to transpire in the coming years, a fake kidnapping was firmly off the table. Miss Mayton was also quite agreeable to the idea, as she said the shock of last evening’s goings-on was still with her.
Having made that happy decision, quite naturally their minds turned to a trousseau.
*
Tattleton sat atthe servants’ table, staring at the cur that was just now biting and tearing at the hem of one of his pant legs. There was not even a point in complaining about the dogs. There were too many and they were everywhere. The house was like a besieged castle that had been overrun by enemy forces.
Charlie had set up a barricade of sorts around the hearth, using wooden crates from the grocer. That had held them back for all of a day.
Tattleton ignored the cur’s growls, as if his pant leg were some sort of prey that must be dispatched. His mind was far too full of more weighty matters.
There were so many ideas to take in and none of them went together to make any sort of sense. The ladies had talked of a pickpocket, and then a pickpocket turned up. Miss Mayton dressed as a man and went to the duke’s house about some sort of duel. A kidnapping. And now Lady Rosalind was engaged to the duke.
And then, he was to believe that Shrimps, that young rogue, was a baron? Was he to begin bowing and calling Shrimps “My lord?”
Shrimps?
What next? Would he be informed that Charlie was actually a long-lost marquess? Perhaps he was, himself, the long-lost rightful King of England. Who knew anymore!
How was any of it to make sense?
After all these years, he was beginning to think he did not understand this family at all. Or the world.
It was as if there was a missing piece of information that might tie all these events together, but it could not be found.
Mrs. Huffson hurried into the room. “Goodness, Mr. Tattleton, that pup is going to shred your trousers if you let him carry on like that.”
“Who cares,” Tattleton muttered.
Mrs. Huffson picked up the dog and deposited him back behind the barricade. She tightened up the defenses, but Tattleton knew it was hopeless. Every day they’d just get stronger and more determined.
“There now,” the housekeeper said. “They’re all asleep except for that little mite and he’ll be going that direction soon.”
“You are a very positive thinking person, Mrs. Huffson.”
The lady sat at the table with him. “I can see you are shaken up by recent events. I don’t plan to say I understand them any better. Still, I suppose it’s all gone right in the end. Our Lady Rosalind is to be a duchess.”
