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“There are a lot of people staying the night.”
“Couldn’t we hide out in an attic or a servant’s garret or something?”
“Trust me, there will be no hiding in this house. We’ll have to find somewhere else to go.”
“We’re in the middle of nowhere.”
“I’m well aware of that. I lived five minutes up the road for the better part of my adulthood.”
“Where else is there?”
“We’d have to go to London, I’m afraid. The inns will all be booked with wedding guests.”
“I’ve got a tent.” Kal grinned.
“I’m not sleeping in a tent on the lawn in May. We’re going to find a proper bed with a proper mattress.”
“In a proper hotel with proper soundproofing.” Kal spun her around and pressed her into the wall. “I’m all for it.” He kissed her throat. “Don’t look now, but the Frederickses have arrived.”
Nancy and Bill Fredericks were bearing down on them, and Rosemary had never been so unhappy to see two people she liked so much. It was only that they’d come to England on holiday a week earlier, and they had another two weeks planned for a whirlwind tour of Wales, Ireland, and Scotland before they skipped over to Greece to check on Bill’s relief work. And she’d heard every detail of their plans the night before, over dinner.
She held Kal’s hand as she heard it all a second time, and died ten thousand deaths. She counted them, one death at a time.
“They’re really nice,” Kal said when Bill and Nancy finally left, lured away by Beatrice. “I could’ve lived without the blow-by-blow, though.”
“There is only one thing I want right now, and it’s not remotely suitable for company. Come with me. We’re going to map an escape.”
She led him out of the ballroom, down a back hall, descended with him to the basement, through the kitchen, and out a little-known exit that would lead them to the front drive.
Cath was perched on a low stone wall, smoking.
“I didn’t know you smoked,” Rosemary said.
“I don’t.”
“Is everything all right?”
Cath smiled. “Everything couldn’t be more perfect. And if I had to talk to one more human being in there for one more second, I was going to throw myself off the roof.”
“I have felt this way in the halls of the Chamberlains. Many times. Where’s Neville?”
“His people tolerance is superior to mine. I left him with the nosiest of the great-aunties and fled into the night. What are you guys doing out here?”
“Running away,” Kal said. “You know a hotel we can run away to?”
“Not one with rooms, unless you go to London.”
“Can we get a cab?”
“There’s a bus,” Cath said. “What time is it?”
Kal checked his phone. “Seven forty-two.”
“How is it seven forty-two?” Cath asked. “How is it not midnight? I never should have let Nev talk me into this. You guys can save yourselves, though. The bus comes in six minutes. It’s, like, two transfers, and you’re at King’s Cross. Easy-peasy.”
“You’ve memorized the bus schedule?” Rosemary asked, impressed.
“Honey, I’ve been with Nev for years. Do you know how many country weekends are involved in dating a Chamberlain? Wait, who am I asking? Of course you know. So ask me how many escape routes I’ve planned out of this place.”
