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“How does tomorrow sound?” he asked.
“Perfect.” Holly beamed, but her mind was already elsewhere.
Joanna knew exactly where.
“Papa,” she chimed in, addressing Damen. “Can I go with them? I haven't visited the House of Lockewood since Cody was born. Mr. Graff promised to show me how to count the money like you do at the end of the day,” she added, referring to the head gatekeeper at the bank. “Now that I'm older I'll really appreciate it. Mama can come, too,” she suggested, sweetening the pot. “She can bring Cody. He hasn't even seen where you work yet.”
Damen couldn't hide his amusement. “I see your point. But, tell me, what if he decides to do some of that yelling you were referring to? How will my clients feel about that?”
“I'll accompany Miss Stacie and the children,” Wells offered at once. He gave a conspiratorial wink to the girl he believed to be Holly. “I'm sure that between us, Miss Holly and I can keep Master Cody amused enough to limit his shouts.”
“And I'll help Miss Joanna pick out a frame,” Hibbert announced to Royce. “My taste is exceptional, and you and Lady Breanna will have your hands full keeping Master Quinn from turning the shop into a woodpile.”
“A fine plan,” Royce concluded. “Consider it done.” He grinned as the two girls tried to restrain themselves from jumping up and down. “Now, I'd suggest you both go upstairs and get some rest. We don't want you falling asleep dining your excursion.”
Without a word of protest, the two girls hugged their parents—both sets, so as to avoid figuring out who was supposed to be hugging whom—and curt-d to Lord Ryder. Then, they started to the door. Abruptly, Holly stopped, deciding that so grand an evening deserved an equally grand conclusion. She touched Joanna's arm, then gestured for her to low.
Joanna complied, and the two girls walked back to Hibbert and Wells.
“Would you take us up?” Holly asked, her expression innocent. “Miss Carter might not have waited up and Holly and I can't fall asleep without a story.” Wells beamed. “Of course, Miss Joanna. I'd be delighted.”
“You, too, Hibbert,” Joanna piped up. “I want to hear all about how you and Uncle Royce met Monsieur Girard.”
Hibbert stood up tall. “That's one of my favorite stories, as well. It would be my pleasure to share it with you, Miss Holly.”
Holly placed her hand in Wells's, and Joanna did the same to Hibbert.
The small entourage left the room, the girls beaming secretly at each other.
Royce waited until they'd gone.
Then, he leaned back in his chair, his shoulders shaking with laughter. “That was amazing.”
“An exceptional performance,” Damen agreed, his own laughter rumbling from deep in his chest. He shot his wife a pointed grin. “I wonder who they could take after.”
“We had nothing to do with this,” Anastasia denied a t once, trying to speak between peals of laughter.
“That's true.” Mirth danced in Breanna's eyes. “They did this entirely on their own.”
“With no tantalizing stories from you to encourage them,” Royce teased.
Anastasia and Breanna exchanged glances, and dissolved into giggles.
“They're going to be unfit to live with,” Anastasia said, dabbing at her eyes with a napkin. “They not only fooled Wells. They fooled Hibbert, too.”
“Has anyone ever fooled Hibbert?” Breanna asked her husband.
“Now that you mention it, no.” Royce rolled his eyes. “God help us.”
Lord Ryder was gaping from one of them to the next. “May I ask what you're talking about?”
“Certainly,” Royce supplied. “Forgive our rudeness. What you just witnessed was a clever impersonation. Two, actually. The girl you thought was Holly was, in fact, Joanna, and vice versa. They were very convincing, if I must say so myself.”
Ryder blinked. “Are you saying your daughters just switched places? And that they actually had us ... well, some of us fooled?”
“That's exactly what I'm saying.” Royce grinned. “And if Hibbert ever finds out he was duped, he'll never be the same.”
“I doubt the girls will tell him,” Breanna pointed out. “They'll want to savor their secret.”
