Rosalind said, “Shrimps?” The poor little fellow’s eyes were glazing over. She supposed that could not be helped—he was prone to unsteady nerves.
“Now Shrimps,” Miss Mayton said, “I have been frugal all my life and the earl has been generous. I am prepared to pay twenty pounds. I am sure some of your interesting friends would leap at the chance to take this on.”
“But I—”
“I fear we’ve made it more complicated than it need be,” Rosalind said. “All you really need do is talk to your friends and explain that you need a fine-looking carriage and a coachman in livery, and perhaps a groom to go on the back. We can direct them what to do on the night.”
“For twenty pounds, Shrimps,” Cordelia said.
“Will you be seeing any of your acquaintances soon, do you think?” Viola asked.
“Um, well,” Shrimps said, “One of them said he would be back, but I really do not think—”
“You must ask, Shrimps,” Rosalind said. “You must see what he will say to twenty pounds.”
Shrimps nodded sadly. Rosalind was quite buoyed by the arrangement. Naturally, a young man of Shrimps’ delicate temperament could not be expected to participate in such a scheme, but she had every reason to hope that the people he knew would be very happy to. It was a fine amount of money for very little work.
*
Shrimps had staggeredacross the avenue of Portland Place and run to his room. In a shaking voice, he’d acquainted Oyster with the latest developments in his very frightening life.
It was never a good idea to go and see those pups! First a pickpocket, now a carriage, coachman, and groom.
He did not even understand the plan the ladies had. Driving the carriage down the street and then jumping out and running away so the duke could profess undying passion to Lady Rosalind?
If that duke was dying of passion, why couldn’t he just say so?
It was madness, but what was he to do about it? They’d pretty much taken his stunned silence as agreement. They expected him to make inquiries.
Then there was Barney expected back at any moment, sneaking up to him in the garden. He’d come back to be convinced that Shrimps’ real name was Jimmy Black. How was he to prove it?
The walls were closing in. He began to wonder if he ought not just pack his few things and run away from it all.
Oyster laid his head on Shrimps’ lap and his underbite chattered.
He could not bear to leave Oyster behind. And yet, he had no right to take the poor dog into the streets to starve when he had a very comfortable situation in Lord Van Doren’s house.
Shrimps did not want to leave that comfortable situation either!
If everybody would just let him be, he’d be very content to chop onions and knead bread for all the rest of his days.
“What am I to do, Oyster?” he whispered.
Oyster did not answer, though Shrimps was convinced that if hecouldspeak, he would probably have very sage advice. Oyster’s primary concern, outside of food and the garden, was safety. Did he not always sleep under Shrimps’ bed so as to be well hidden if an intruder stormed in?
Shrimps had slept under his bed a few times himself and it was very comforting.
Just now, he felt almost paralyzed by fear. He could not make a decision. He did not know which way to turn or which thing to do.
*
Balthazar had taskedHenri with determining where, if anywhere at all, the Benningtons might be found this night. Unless it were a small dinner they attended, he was certain he might crash his way in nearly anywhere.
He’d thought he might wait out the week until he met Lady Rosalind once more at Lady Bloomington’s masque. The token ring was being reset with a larger ruby, as the one the setting had housed had not been deemed sufficient for Lady Rosalind.
He’d chosen a large and brilliant stone and it would be ready by the night of the masque. He would bide his time until then.
Biding his time had turned out to be a foolish idea. He could not wait a week—he must see her.
