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Felicity nodded. “And the strength to hold a strongsentiois thanks to their essential selves, their animal aspect.”
“And if Llewellyn’s creature is absent…”
“Your Grace’s heart is surely failing.”
“I doubt that, in this instance, a dose of foxglove will suffice.” A pity, as Tabitha knew what to do with that. “Nor is hemyGrace. But do we know this is true? Is there previous evidence? Is thesentiocommon within all species and collectives? I cannot think how to help if all there is to go on are the rules for wolves or bears that may not apply to—”
A rousing cheer from the square cut her off, and both women hurried out of the premises.
Felicity clapped her hands at the sight that greeted them. A colony of beavers carted a large wooden sign across the green to the coach house. Its imagery, meant to be seen from a distance, was easily perceived, and its true ostentation became apparent the closer they came.
“That sign is…” Tabitha trailed off.
“Showy?” Felicity proposed, as they watched the head man, Mr. Beresford, set two of his colleagues to positioning ladders on the facade of the large, well-built edifice. The public house and coaching inn rose three stories, its windows pristine, its shutters a gleaming black against the clean white of the stone walls; boxes and planters awaited greenery and flowers. The impression of the whole was one of welcome, of home away from home, a place for all to gather and be merry.
“It’s right impressive,” Mary Mossett said, as she scurried over to stand with them. “You can’t take your eyes off it. It makes you keep looking at it, it’s so colorful and grand.”
“Much like its namesake,” Tabitha muttered.
“It is not as magnificent as my own,” Felicity said, “but it is fit for purpose.”
“I am amazed it has been allowed.” Tabitha took in the scrolling typography declaring the pub to be the Sleuth and Scepter; a brightly colored image of a large, glossy brown bear wearing a crown and holding the signatory of office grinned toothily down upon them. If one knew what to look for, the resemblance was uncanny.
“His Highness approved it from conception to execution,” Felicity said. “Arthur thinks it hilarious, and Mr. Bates loathes it.”
“Our Beta’s fierce concerned about us keeping our secrets,” Mary offered.
“He fought the construction of our offshoot of the London Road tooth and nail,” Felicity added, and Tabitha wondered if that had been quite literal.
“That was made by me da and brothers, that road was,” Mary said. “There’s no one to work in a field like them. Day and night they cleared the way, and it is as perfect a road as you’d like to see, even better than the King’s Highway.”
“It opens up the pack to greater prosperity,” added Felicity, “and the chance to share our gifts, in craftsmanship at least, with the whole world.”
The bee man, Mr. Beckett, wandered out from behind the building. He waved at Tabitha, who felt her cheeks heat with a blush. Mary cooed and giggled, and Felicity wasn’t far behind.
“Have you an acquaintance with Mr. Beckett, Tab—Miss Barrington?”
“You could do worse,” Mary said. “Them bees is hard workers.”
Tabitha gripped her trug in both hands as if to shield herself from the speculation. “I am far too old to be entertaining suitors.”
“You’re no age at all compared to them, miss,” Mary insisted. “Andversipelleslike a bit o’ years on a female.”
“You sound like His Grace,” Tabitha replied, which was a mistake if Felicity’s rapturous smile was anything to go by.
“Which Grace?” A small, beautiful lady (a dove, Tabitha observed) joined them. Mary curtsied and beamed at the woman, who was not much taller than the little maid, while Felicity embraced her.
“What a wonderful surprise! But it always is with you. Wonderful and a surprise. Lady Jemima Coleman, if I may make known to you Miss Tabitha Barrington?”
Tabitha curtsied, without anywhere near the aplomb of Miss Mossett.
“How do you do, Miss Barrington?” The lady was dressed in a nondescript ensemble. “I have heard great things about your talents and your involvement with the Duke of Llewellyn.”
“Only just now she has helped one of the stable lads with a poultice. I’ve never seen one of his kind stay so still,” Felicity enthused. “It was all thanks to Miss Barrington’s manner.”
“And I have heard great things about your talents, Lady Coleman.” Tabitha was surprised at the soberness of the lady’s ensemble.
“I made my way here under, er, my own power,” Lady Coleman said, “and plundered the nearest vestment hut. Your Grace, I insist I be permitted to contribute to their stores.”
