burned,
considering the never-ending coils my Papa was forever blundering
into whenever left to his own devices.”
The dowager listened with interest and then
observed that perhaps multiple names were not the answer. After
all, look at poor Emmaline-Lucille Pratt. All a double name did for
her was to give her one more word to stumble over. “She stammers,
you know,” the Duchess told them. “Thank heavens I wasn’t cursed
with palming that one off. Getting Emmaline-Lucille hitched-up
would be the coup of the Season.”
The Duke was not at all interested in
Emmaline-Lucille Pratt. To be honest, he wasn’t very much more
interested in Tansy Tamerlane.
All he wanted to do this morning was to
establish Tansy as Emily’s new keeper, bid a fond but not unpleased
farewell to the dowager, and get on about more serious
business.
“First things first, I think, cousin. If you
would give me the direction of this Squire you spoke of I will
write to him concerning your inability to assume your post. He will
undoubtedly be concerned for your welfare.”
Tansy gave a short laugh. “I doubt he’ll be
dragging the local river for my body in his anxiety, your grace.
But I shall write him myself and save you the trouble.”
‘“It is better to learn late than never.’
Publilius Syrus,” Aunt Lucinda pointed out.
“Then there is hope for you yet, Lucinda,”
the Duchess drawled, causing Lucinda’s brow to pucker as she tried
and failed to understand the dowager’s subtlety.
“Enough,” the Duke interrupted. “After
yesterday’s near disaster, I have found it prudent to entrust my
sister’s care to our new cousin in an effort to keep Emily from
single-handedly destroying the Benedict name in the coming months
of the Season.”
His aunt, rather miffed at her displacement,
quoted, “‘When the steede is stolne, shut the stable durre.’
Heywood.”
“Nonsense!” Tansy scoffed as Emily sputtered
angrily, but luckily not completely comprehending the insult, “The
little filly here was not stolen, or even lost. She was merely
temporarily misplaced. Besides, no harm’s been done, and we can
even hope Emily has learned something from the episode.” This last
was said with a stern look in the truant’s direction.
“‘Pardon one offense and you encourage the
commission of many.’ P. Syrus,” the suddenly strict ex-companion
prophesied, causing Ashley to wonder where he had heard those words
before.
All this was just too much for Lady Emily’s
tender sensibilities, and she bolted out of her chair in protest.
“I think you are all perfectly horrid! Why don’t you just lock me
upstairs in my room and leave me to wither and die!” she shrieked,
and ran sobbing from the room, her concerned aunt hard on her
heels.
The remaining occupants were not so easily
impressed. While Tansy smiled and shook her head and Avanoll
uttered an exasperated oath, the dowager summed it all up nicely by
wiping her hands on each other and saying, “Well, that routed them
both quite nicely, don’t you think? Now we can get down to cases
and plan out the chit’s season.”
“I beg your pardon, Grandmama?” Avanoll
queried. “It was my impression your townhouse was in Holland covers
and you were leaving shortly for Avanoll Hall. Surely you don’t
wish to be detained by our problems with Emily, seeing as how she
wears on you so.”
“Don’t throw my words back in my teeth,
Ashley, if you don’t mind. That was before I met this girl here.
Suddenly I feel quite rejuvenated, and I have decided to stay in
Town. There is no need to fill more servant bellies at town prices
if you are in residence here, so I shall stay here rather than my
town house. Have my chamber prepared, Ashley,” she instructed
imperiously, then added, “And take that vacant look off your face.
If you just apply yourself a bit I’m sure you realize which chamber
I require.”
“I do, madam,” his grace agreed, “but since
that is now my chamber I believe
considering the never-ending coils my Papa was forever blundering
into whenever left to his own devices.”
The dowager listened with interest and then
observed that perhaps multiple names were not the answer. After
all, look at poor Emmaline-Lucille Pratt. All a double name did for
her was to give her one more word to stumble over. “She stammers,
you know,” the Duchess told them. “Thank heavens I wasn’t cursed
with palming that one off. Getting Emmaline-Lucille hitched-up
would be the coup of the Season.”
The Duke was not at all interested in
Emmaline-Lucille Pratt. To be honest, he wasn’t very much more
interested in Tansy Tamerlane.
All he wanted to do this morning was to
establish Tansy as Emily’s new keeper, bid a fond but not unpleased
farewell to the dowager, and get on about more serious
business.
“First things first, I think, cousin. If you
would give me the direction of this Squire you spoke of I will
write to him concerning your inability to assume your post. He will
undoubtedly be concerned for your welfare.”
Tansy gave a short laugh. “I doubt he’ll be
dragging the local river for my body in his anxiety, your grace.
But I shall write him myself and save you the trouble.”
‘“It is better to learn late than never.’
Publilius Syrus,” Aunt Lucinda pointed out.
“Then there is hope for you yet, Lucinda,”
the Duchess drawled, causing Lucinda’s brow to pucker as she tried
and failed to understand the dowager’s subtlety.
“Enough,” the Duke interrupted. “After
yesterday’s near disaster, I have found it prudent to entrust my
sister’s care to our new cousin in an effort to keep Emily from
single-handedly destroying the Benedict name in the coming months
of the Season.”
His aunt, rather miffed at her displacement,
quoted, “‘When the steede is stolne, shut the stable durre.’
Heywood.”
“Nonsense!” Tansy scoffed as Emily sputtered
angrily, but luckily not completely comprehending the insult, “The
little filly here was not stolen, or even lost. She was merely
temporarily misplaced. Besides, no harm’s been done, and we can
even hope Emily has learned something from the episode.” This last
was said with a stern look in the truant’s direction.
“‘Pardon one offense and you encourage the
commission of many.’ P. Syrus,” the suddenly strict ex-companion
prophesied, causing Ashley to wonder where he had heard those words
before.
All this was just too much for Lady Emily’s
tender sensibilities, and she bolted out of her chair in protest.
“I think you are all perfectly horrid! Why don’t you just lock me
upstairs in my room and leave me to wither and die!” she shrieked,
and ran sobbing from the room, her concerned aunt hard on her
heels.
The remaining occupants were not so easily
impressed. While Tansy smiled and shook her head and Avanoll
uttered an exasperated oath, the dowager summed it all up nicely by
wiping her hands on each other and saying, “Well, that routed them
both quite nicely, don’t you think? Now we can get down to cases
and plan out the chit’s season.”
“I beg your pardon, Grandmama?” Avanoll
queried. “It was my impression your townhouse was in Holland covers
and you were leaving shortly for Avanoll Hall. Surely you don’t
wish to be detained by our problems with Emily, seeing as how she
wears on you so.”
“Don’t throw my words back in my teeth,
Ashley, if you don’t mind. That was before I met this girl here.
Suddenly I feel quite rejuvenated, and I have decided to stay in
Town. There is no need to fill more servant bellies at town prices
if you are in residence here, so I shall stay here rather than my
town house. Have my chamber prepared, Ashley,” she instructed
imperiously, then added, “And take that vacant look off your face.
If you just apply yourself a bit I’m sure you realize which chamber
I require.”
“I do, madam,” his grace agreed, “but since
that is now my chamber I believe
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