“You do not suppose that this propensity for invention is some kind of, well, a sort of character flaw? What I mean is, would I always be faced with some new and ghastly idea? Would I be forever wary of what my wife was to say next?”
“One never knows, of course. But my feeling is what you have on your hands is a very pretty and exceedingly awkward sort of girl who will settle into rationality when she feels more secure in things. All of this nonsense is only meant to impress, as harebrained as it has been.”
Henry certainly hoped that was the case. Day by day, even hour by hour, his inclinations toward Lady Verity grew. He felt as if he’d passed through some sort of veil and could not be turned back now. He’d actually tried it out. Last night, he’d imagined how it would be if he turned his eyes elsewhere.
His eyes refused to turn. His mind refused to turn. His visions of the future refused to turn.
He was beginning to think that even if he was assured that Lady Veritywouldinvent ridiculous stories for all their lives, he’d probably still proceed. After all, inventing ridiculous ideas was not the worst thing in the world. He’d just have to work to tamp down the gossip going round just now. And possibly the gossip that would always be going round. How, he did not know, but surely something would occur to him.
In any case, when she was not inventing scientific research, she was really very charming!
*
As Sir Jonathan’sscavenger hunt had been advertised as an event for families, Verity’s father had purchased tickets for Valor and Winsome too. The event was to be held in the North-West Enclosure of the park and it was a fine day for it. There had been a bit of distress over the idea that Sir Galahad must remain at home, as no dogs were allowed in the enclosure. Valor thought that surely Sir Galahad must be exempt from the rule, as he was tremendous and, also, very small. Her arguments were to no avail, though. The duke was happy to flout convention when he saw fit, but he had a healthy respect for rules that made practical sense.
Verity had thought the matter settled, although unhappily, until Valor dragged a picnic basket into the carriage. As the picnic basket, covered on top with a large napkin, had the mysterious quality of being able to move, it was immediately suspect. The duke had opened it, Valor had shrugged, and one of the footmen had taken Sir Galahad back into the house.
There was a crush of carriages stopped by the entrance to the enclosure and they had to leave their own carriage a bit farther than the duke would have liked. Though a duke often got his way and was often given precedence, not so with where one had to leave one’s carriage. Coachmen very determinedly turned away upon spotting the duke’s crest, preferring to maintain they’d never seen it at all rather than make way.
They walked all together to the entrance and found Lord Wembly milling around nearby it. Verity could only suppose he had been waiting for her, as what else was he doing there?
There was a brief moment when it occurred to her that he might wait for another lady, but that was washed away as soon as he approached.
“Your Grace, Lady Verity, Lady Winsome, Lady Valor. I had hoped to accompany you.” He paused, as if he were confused by something. “Lady Valor? I had imagined we might see Sir Galahad this afternoon.”
“He’s not allowed in, if you can believe it,” Valor said.
“Oh, I see,” Lord Wembly said. “I did know there was a rule against admitting dogs, though I had not supposed it would apply to such a tremendous specimen as Sir Galahad.”
“That’s what I said!” Valor cried, looking very triumphant.
The duke winked at the lord, obviously approving of the gambit.
Lord Wembly really was so clever to manage Valor in such a manner. That idea did cause Verity to blanch the slightest bit. He reallywasso clever. And she really was not so clever, though he did not know it. He probably knew everything in the wide world, but for that particular fact.
They went along with the stream of people heading toward a makeshift booth of sorts. “We’ll get our clues there,” Lord Wembly said. “Then we just wait for the bell to ring and we’re off.”
On the right side of the booth, there were tables and chairs set up and an old woman was selling mineral water from the spring. “I’ll put myself in one of those chairs and hope something better than water comes around,” the duke said. “What say you, Wembly? Can you manage keeping track of three of my girls?”
“Certainly, Your Grace,” Lord Wembly said.
Verity supposed she should have known her papa would not be inclined to walk all over the enclosure attempting to unravel clues. Still, it was rather thrilling that Lord Wembly was to be their escort.
“Where is Lady Pegatha?” Valor asked Lord Wembly. “I was hoping she would be here because I know she would be outraged that Sir Galahad was not allowed in.”
“Ah,” Lord Wembly said, “she is not inclined to do much walking.”
Valor nodded. “Because she’s old. Tell her that I am sorry her old bones could not manage it and tell her Sir Galahad wasn’t allowed in. It will make her feel better.”
Verity trusted in Lord Wembly’s good sense not to send any regards to Lady Pegatha’s “old bones.” As for Lady Pegatha being gratified to know Sir Galahad was also to sit out the scavenger hunt, she could not guess how she’d view it.
The duke set off to secure a chair. Lord Wembly approached the booth to pick up their clues.
“We’d better win,” Winsome said. “I do not like to lose.”
“She really does not,” Valor said. “Sir Galahad beat Winsome at vingt-et-un yesterday and she was so cross.”
“I was not cross about losing, I was cross about the cheating.”
