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He could see Sarah Anne, with her maid at a conspicuous distance behind her.
Ah, she’d spotted the ribbon. Good.
She turned to her maid, and Harry imagined her asking the maid to wait for her there, before she approached the marked tree.
Right on time, he saw Clay wave and hurry toward Sarah Anne, and he could just barely hear Clay say, “Sarah Anne, why, how lovely you look.”
Even in the midst of all of this, Harry had to smile to himself. Clay was ever the charmer. Insincere, but charming.
Thus, the stage was set and ready.
Harry hurried out of sight and waited.
* * *
Ree complained as Kitty dragged her down the walking path, “Why are we in such a rush if we are supposed to be enjoying the morning air?”
“Come on,” Kitty said, taking her hand and cutting across the damp lawn.
“Kitty, what are you up to?” Ree laughed.
“You trust me. I know that you do, so I shan’t ask you to. Now be very still, my darling Ree, because you do trust me, but some things need to be seen for oneself. Some things need to be heard for oneself.” She positioned her friend behind an evergreen ornamental hedge and on a hard whisper told her, “Keep out of sight, but watch and listen.”
“But … that is Clay. Are we spying on Clay?” Ree was clearly astonished. “And … he is with Sarah Anne?”
“Precisely. Clay and Sarah Anne, hatching up schemes, but listen for yourself.”
And they heard Sarah Anne inquire in something of a screech, “What of Henrietta? Has she agreed to marry you? When shall you post the banns? Soon, I hope. Then Harry will turn to me in a fit of the dismals, and I shall console him.”
Kitty saw dawning take over Henrietta’s face and nodded, but she put a finger to her friend’s lips as they continued to spy.
“I haven’t even proposed yet. I didn’t feel she was ready to say yes. I do mean to soon,” Clay answered. “Tell me, is that why you summoned me here?”
“Summoned you? I didn’t,” Sarah Anne said.
Ree’s brows went up, and she whispered, “I fancy you had a hand in that.”
“You fancy correctly, now shhh,” Kitty whispered back.
Clay’s voice filled with anger. “I had a note from you, Sarah Anne.”
“I didn’t write it,” she answered sharply.
Kitty peeked, saw Sarah Anne tug at his sleeve, and dropped back down.
“What is this all about? You wrote that I should meet you here, by the yellow ribbon, and here it is—a yellow ribbon!”
“Go home, Sarah Anne. Quickly,” Clay commanded.
“But why? Why did you drag me out here …?”
“I didn’t. Now take your maid and get home,” he shouted.
She made an indignant sound and turned. After a moment passed, Kitty got to her feet and took Ree’s hand to help her up. “Well then, did you hear them, my dearest?”
Henrietta looked as though she was struggling with herself. “I did, and I am appalled. They hatched a scheme to make me t
hink … Kitty, what horrid people! Why? Why?” Her eyes narrowed, and she accused, “It was you. You got them both here.”
