Page 80 of The Smuggler’s Escape

Lady Darsington bristled. “Not ladies, surely.”

Dorothea blushed. The tiniest smile curled her lip. Good.

“Definitely ladies,” Noelle said. “He and Miss Darsington got on swimmingly last night, didn’t you?”

Dorothea straightened. “Yes, indeed! Such a charming man, and so well read. I promised to bring him my copy of Mr. Blake’s poems this morning. Perhaps we shall continue our discussion of The Romance of the Forest as well.”

Lady Darsington’s darkling look said Dorothea would do no such thing. Dorothea’s mulish expression indicated she most certainly would. Noelle nobly refrained from laughing.

“Dare I hope,” Lady Darsington asked grimly, “that this low-bred paragon is not suffering from a communicable disease?”

Lady Boltwood motioned to the footman to serve more coffee. “Heavens, no. Johnny was shot by the excisemen.”

“Phoebe Boltwood! You are harboring a criminal in this house?”

“Not at all, Miranda. The excisemen have got entirely out of hand. Tommy Dalbey, who helps in the gardens here, was shot last night with no justification whatsoever. Fortunately, I received news from the doctor this morning that he is doing well.”

“Poor Tommy can’t go out of doors after dark without the excisemen following him about,” Noelle said. “It’s not his fault his ancestors were smugglers.”

Lady Boltwood spread butter and honey on a slice of toast. “The excisemen have taken to attacking even those who have no connection with smuggling. One of our tenants gave birth early yesterday as a direct result of such an attack. Fortunately, the baby seems healthy. Which reminds me, I must ask the kitchen to put together a basket for her family.” She passed the toast to Noelle. “Mr. Magee does a wonderful job of mending our pots, and for absolutely no reason they smashed his wagon. I shall ask Richard to lodge a complaint with the Excise Office. Since Lieutenant Hale was posted here, matters have worsened considerably.”

Noelle swallowed a mouthful of egg. “That’s because Lieutenant Hale won’t let his men accept bribes. They’d much rather seize a few kegs, take a reasonable bribe, and let the rest of the contraband through, than risk their lives. The loss of revenue, coupled with unnecessary danger, turns them vicious.”

“You seem to know a great deal about smuggling, Miss de Vallon,” Lady Darsington said.

“Everyone who lives here does,” Noelle said.

“Natives of Sussex,” Lady Darsington said smugly, “such as dear Lord Boltwood, would of course know a great deal. But you, Miss de Vallon, are a newcomer and a foreigner as well.”

Dorothea drew in her breath with a soft hiss.

Lady Darsington smirked at her daughter and returned her venomous stare to Noelle. “I make no accusation, but I must say, dear Miss de Vallon, the extent of your knowledge does seem rather strange.”

Lady Boltwood stood. “Smuggling communities are comfortable dealing with foreigners, not but what dear Noelle is only half French. Noelle is better acquainted with our tenants than Richard himself. She will make him an excellent wife. Now, you must excuse me while I confer with the cook about the day’s meals.”

Lady Darsington nodded regally. “Phoebe, you are to be congratulated on your future daughter-in-law’s accomplishments. Will you set up card tables this evening? It was delightful to partner Miss de Vallon yesterday, but I hope to test my mettle against her tonight.”