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“She’d probably tell us to stay out of it and let the kids figure out matters on their own,” Margaret began, “but I have no intention of doing that.”
“No?” Amelia laughed. “Then what do you think we should do? If I’ve paid close attention up until this point, and I do believe I have, I imagine all Richard and Leticia need is just one more gentle push.”
“Agreed,” the Dowager seconded with a stiff nod.
“Darling!” Sebastian’s voice sounded over the laughter that emanated from both Margaret and Amelia. “Oh, Darling!” He raced across the lawn, waving his hand to her.
“Hello,” Amelia said, smiling happily at her husband. “Would you care to join us? We are just plotting how to bring Leticia and Richard together.”
“Have they not already declared their love?” Sebastian asked as a slight bewildered frown rose to his face. “I thought they were just moments away from getting married.”
“They soon will be,” Margaret announced boldly, “if we have anything to do with it.”
“Jolly good,” Sebastian said, giving them both a pleasant smile.
“Is something amiss, my dear?”
Sebastian scratched at his sideburns. “I seem to have lost my cat. Have either of you seen Colonel Fluffington?”
“I can’t say I have,” Margaret replied as she gave a quick glance over her shoulder.
“I haven’t seen him, either,” Amelia added.
“Well, if you do lay eyes on him, please keep him safe,” Sebastian fretted. “You know how the children love to torment him.”
Amelia giggled. “They haven’t done that in years, and they’re not children anymore.”
“Yes, well…I’d feel much better if I knew where he was,” he said and turned so that he could begin walking in the direction of the gardens. As he went, he mumbled under his breath.
“We shall keep our eyes open, dear,” Amelia called after him, but he did not stop moving or even wave his hand in response.
“The poor man,” Margaret said as they both watched him meander down the pathway. “Colonel Fluffington is such a comfort to him.”
“Indeed,” Amelia said, “but he did have a point. I know Harry always tolerated the cat well, but Leticia couldn’t stand to be in the same room with him. She said he always left his fur all over the place.”
“Yes, Richard was never a cat person, either.” Then, a soft mewling sound caught Amelia’s attention. She turned toward the row of bushes that grew nearby and spied Colonel Fluffington.
“Oh, you naughty little thing,” she said as she rose and went to retrieve the cat. He was white as a snowball, and his bright toffee-colored eyes twinkled brightly. “My husband has been looking all over for you.” She picked up Colonel Fluffington and carried him back to the table. She sat primly in her seat once more and ran her fingers through the Persian cat’s long strands of hair. When she glanced up at her friend, she noticed that Margaret’s lips were pursed. “What is it? What are you thinking?”
“Colonel Fluffington has inspired me.” The Dowager reached forward and ran her finger around the scruff of the cat’s neck. “I think, with the help of this magnificent creature, we may be able to bring Leticia and Richard together.”
Amelia chuckled delightedly. “Pray, tell me.” She leaned forward. “What do you have in mind?”
* * *
“What is that smell?”
“Hmm…? I don’t smell anything, My Lady,” Mrs. Phillips replied. She had just helped Leticia out of the gown she’d worn to dinner, and now, as she was combing through her hair, a strange odor wafted toward Leticia.
“That…right there…what is that?” Leticia pulled the ends of her long brown locks toward her and inhaled sharply. “Is it me? Have I spent too much time outside lately?” While the fresh air surrounding Pearl House always seemed like a blessing, sometimes, when Leticia came inside after spending the day outdoors, she thought she smelled almost wild. But as she sniffed at her tresses, she could not detect anything out of the ordinary.
“I can’t smell anything, My Lady,” Mrs. Phillips said as she placed the silver-handled brush back on the vanity. “Perhaps you’d feel better if I spritzed a bit of lavender perfume?”
“No,” Leticia murmured as she stood and began to pace in front of her bed. “The smell is coming from here.” She crept forward and took another deep inhalation, but this time she gaged. “It’s that blasted cat. Colonel Fluffington!” At the sound of his name, the critter skirted out from underneath her bed and dashed toward the door to her chamber. Mrs. Phillips, who was standing closer to the door than Leticia, opened it at once to allow the cat the chance to get away. But that did not stop her. “Colonel Fluffington!” She bellowed as she followed him out into the hallway. “How dare you mark your territory in my chamber!”
“Dearest,” Aunt Amelia appeared then at the top of the stairs. She strode down the hall and scooped up Colonel Fluffington. “Do try to keep your voice down. Most everyone else has gone to bed already.”
“Sorry,” Leticia whispered to her aunt while she eyed Colonel Fluffington with annoyance. “I do hope I didn’t wake anyone, but I simply cannot sleep in my bed tonight. Colonel Fluffington has…made a mess of it.”
