They all nodded, commiserating with their butler’s nerves.
Viola suddenly sprang up. “Goodness, there has been so much that has happened tonight, we forgot about the note!”
“Oh yes!” Cordelia said. “Beatrice has written. She and Van Doren will arrive in Town on the morrow.”
“That is good news,” Rosalind said. “Perhaps Beatrice will know where we can find a pickpocket for my duke to chase.”
“Careful there, though,” Viola said. “Beatrice tells Van Doren everything and you know what he’ll think about it.”
“Van Doren,” Juliet said. “Scoldy-Breeches would have an apoplectic fit.”
“It is precisely the sort of thing that would set him off and there we go with an hour-long lecture,” Cordelia said.
“That’s true, of course,” Rosalind admitted.
“I wonder if our footmen are acquainted with any pickpockets?” Cordelia asked. “Whoever knows where they go and what they do on their days off?”
“I’m not sure we can ask the servants that sort of question,” Rosalind said. “They might be insulted by it.”
They were all silent for some moments, each considering if the footmen would be aggrieved if they were to be asked whether they knew any criminals.
Juliet’s eyes suddenly went wide. “Shrimps!” she cried. “We can ask Shrimps because we already know he was with a gang of boys when Van Doren found him. He must know pickpockets and there is no reason why he would be insulted over it.”
“Shrimps,” Rosalind said softly. “Yes, that might just be the ticket.”
“I know what to do,” Cordelia said, “we will give Bess a day to settle in with her babies and then when she’s ready to receive visitors, we will send a note to Shrimps that he may come and see them.”
“Because he’s so fond of dogs!” Viola said.
“He and his dog, Oyster, are inseparable,” Juliet said.
“Of course they are,” Rosalind said, “how often has Beatrice said so? If you are looking for Shrimps, find Oyster, and if you are looking for Oyster, find Shrimps.”
“I knew we should think of something,” Juliet said.
“You girls are all so clever,” Miss Mayton said.
“Do you suppose we might arrange a pickpocket for Lady Crinkleton’s picnic in the park for orphans?” Viola asked. “Papa says we are all to go as it is a family outing sort of thing and all that’s required is forking over a good amount of money, which he is happy to do.”
“But will Conbatten be there?” Cordelia asked. “We must be sure that whatever we arrange, it is in his view so he can leap into action.”
“I am sure he must go,” Rosalind said. “Darden’s whole club is going and he says Lady Crinkleton is in the habit of talking about people who do not turn up. As well, the Prince of Wales is to be there and make a speech. Certainly, a duke of the realm must go.”
“Goodness, the picnic is in a week’s time,” Viola said. “We must have everything in place by then.”
Rosalind’s heart picked up speed and thump-thumped in her chest. If all went well, in just a week’s time she would find herself in Conbatten’s arms.
*
Balthazar had takenone of the private dining rooms at White’s. He and Hamill found it a convenient place to meet to discuss the Queen’s Knights’ business. They were both members of the club and so anybody watching their individual comings and goings would not see anything unusual in it.
The waiter had brought in a coffee service and closed the door behind him.
“I presume you have news or we would not be meeting at this ungodly hour,” Balthazar said.
“There is nothing ungodly about ten o’clock,” Hamill said, “I have been up with the chickens, ridden my horse, and done a few rounds of boxing before I came here.”
Balthazar stretched out his long legs. “I have very sensibly been in a bath.”
