The Roguish Miss Penn by Emily Hendrickson

feeling a bit like a little girl on hers.
    “Teddy—my brother Theodore, that is—wants to erect a theater off Cheese Row. Have you ever been to the fair?” When he shook his head, she explained. “The fair is laid out in a gridlike manner. All the streets have acquired names over the years. The longest one is Garlic Row, but there is Cheap Side, Soper’s Row, and Brush Row, to mention a few. The various booths and stalls range along these in much the same order each year. I fear the fair is not as important as it once was. It is said that once Sturbridge Fair was the largest and most important in all of England.”
    He smiled at her earnestness, for she had the look of a little girl reciting her lessons. She resembled no schoolchild this day, nor had she yesterday when he had observed her excellent form draped in clinging, wet muslin. Today the sea-green gown she wore brought luster to her hair and made her eyes look entrancingly mysterious.
    “But I prose on, sir. I vow I become the veriest prattle box when it comes to the fair. You will attend this year?”
    “Naturally. If only to see your theatrical production.”
    Katherine’s face fell as she considered what Teddy wanted her to ask of this man.
    “Do I detect a problem?”
    Katherine nodded shyly, feeling all sorts of emotions but daring as she considered how to frame her request.
    “You seek a patron, perhaps? Someone to oversee and help finance the play? What sort of receipts do the plays get? Would a backer be likely to reap his investment in return?”
    Grateful that Lord Ramsey had such a practical bent of mind, Katherine nodded eagerly. “Oh, yes. I investigated and found it to be a sound venture. If only my subject draws the crowds. Some will see it a mere gothic. I hope others will discern the satire concealed within. Either way, it ought to do well enough,” she concluded modestly.
    He gave his jaw a considering rub, mostly for her benefit. If financing this production meant he would have access to the lively young woman at his side, it would be money well spent. If he actually reaped a return, it would be more than expected. “I believe it would prove to be an interesting time. Late September, did you not say? It is early August, so we would have to step lively.”
    “Oh, lovely,” breathed Katherine thankfully. “I had hoped, you know, but I never did truly expect. . .“ Her voice faded away as she met his gaze. Uncomfortable with the feelings stirring within her, she slid from the stool, giving her skirts a practical shaking. “I made the necessary copies of the script, and we have several players in mind. Teddy thinks to journey to Norwich to meet Eliza O’Neill, the actress. He hopes to persuade her to play the heroine. I misdoubt his ability to convince her, but one never knows what may happen, does one?”
    “How true.” Philip also slid from his stool, took her arm to escort her back to the main part of the house, discussing along the way the various things that needed to be done. They strolled the length of the house until they reached the immense library, fully as large as the theater.
    “Time to leave already?” The dismay in Julian Penn’s voice brought gentle laughter to all three, who now watched him, book in hand, as he frowned back at them.
    “You have my word that you may have access to the library anytime you please.” Philip considered this offer a stroke of genius, for he could see how pleased Katherine Penn looked at his proposal. It also meant that he and Miss Penn could work on the plans for the play unhindered by proprieties, for a father is considered the best chaperon in the world, even if he is buried in a book.
    They walked out to where the carriage now awaited them. Katherine dawdled a bit, turning to Lord Ramsey, her appreciation shining forth from her eyes. “How kind of you. You must know how happy he is to think he can read all those books and not miss anything in haste.”
    Philip felt the veriest