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y ahead of schedule had thrown everything out of order, including her equanimity.
“I doubt whether I shall wish to stay a moment longer than good manners require,” grumbled Cat. “Poetry recitals are not my idea of fun. The only reason I agreed to attend at all is because the very wealthy Lord Abernathy has an unwed son—reason enough to tolerate even the worst prose. I shall hold to the hope that he is not a poetry enthusiast.”
In spite of the heavy thoughts knocking about in her aching head, a chuckle rose in Harriett’s throat. “Well, if he is, I’m sure you’ll soon dissuade him of the habit.”
“I shall scream if he so much as utters a limerick.”
“Better to faint,” Harriett laughed. “At least then he may choose to think you overcome with sentiment.”
“Rather than nausea, you mean?” Her sister gave a delicate shudder. “You ought to bite your tongue, Harriett. You’ve always admonished me to speak honestly. Now you’re telling me to dissemble?”
“Yes, well, perhaps I should not have been so adamant,” Harriett murmured. “At least not where men are concerned. Their pride is far too easily wounded, and they never forget a slight.”
“Mm. Something has certainly soured the cream today. What was it this time? The lad in the east wing playing pranks on the nurses again?”
“Oh, how I wish.” It was pointless trying to keep it a secret. The papers would likely spill the tea tomorrow morning anyway. “Lord Manchester paid a visit today.”
Cat’s blue eyes widened. “Do you mean William’s brother? The man you knocked silly at the cemetery?”
“One and the same.”
“And? Did he remember you?”
Oh, he’d remembered her. She straightened and pasted a smile on her lips. “He did. And he will be coming tomorrow to review the ledgers.”
“But I thought you said he’d sworn never to cross the threshold of the place,” said Cat, eagerly leaning forward. “What prompted his visit, I wonder?”
“His inheritance hinges upon attending the affairs of the Hospital personally no less than twice a year,” Harriett explained. “Last year, he came and looked at the ledgers from inside his carriage—I say ‘looked,’ but I really know not what he did other than sign in the necessary places and have his man hand them right back through the door. This year, the other governors demanded that he actually enter the premises.”
“I see. But if you knew he was coming, why in heaven’s name were you even there?”
“Because although Mr. Blume had arranged to bring him tomorrow, Manchester for some unfathomable reason decided to arrive on his own a day early. I had no warning. He was wandering about in the hall when I came out of a room.”
“I imagine he was most displeased to have you pop out in his path,” said her sister with an irreverent smirk.
The displeasure had been mutual. “Indeed.”
“Why Harriett, I do believe you’re blushing.”
She looked up to see Cat’s eyes sparkling with mirth. “If I am, it is because he vexed me most grievously! He’d been imbibing prior to his arrival and was quite rude.”
Her sister’s face darkened. “Did he make you cry? If he did, I’ll have his hair by the roots! I’ll—”
“I would sooner die than give that man the satisfaction of seeing my tears,” Harriett snapped. She amended her tone in reaction to Cat’s raised brow. “There is nothing he could say that can hurt me. His words are the inconsequential mutterings of a worthless drunkard.”
“Even so, you have but to say the word and I shall put him on my list.”
Harriett observed her scowl with humor, but knew better than to laugh. Cat was quite serious. David Stratford was still on that list seven years after having yanked a pigtail. Once her sister lost her regard for someone, it remained ever lost. “Your loyalty is truly appreciated, but I am quite capable of fighting—and winning—my own battles. Now, we had better go before we are late.”
Seven
Harriett woke with a groan, wishing with all her might that Manchester had not seen her yesterday. Today would have been an at-home day, which would have meant sleeping in after her night out, enjoying a relaxing late breakfast, and having some leisure time. But that had all changed thanks to him. She dragged herself out of her warm, comfortable bed, determined to best the devil.
Donning a modest dark blue gown that covered her from neck to toe, she hurried down to eat a quick, lonely breakfast before beginning her journey. A note left for Papa ensured her early absence would not cause alarm.
The sun was still hiding behind the buildings when the carriage deposited her in front of the Foundling Hospital. She stopped for a moment to look at the work that had been done. The fence around the perimeter was almost complete, and the bricked-in enclosure between the wings would soon be finished. The fence was iron and tipped with spikes to keep out thieves, and the new wall would ensure the children a safe place to play outdoors.
The sunshine and fresh air would do them a world of good.
