“Of course not.” She understood the Company’s need to be together. Shewent and found Deveril’s letter and gave it to him. But then she found shedidn’t want to be left behind. Somewhat hesitantly she asked, “May I comewith you?”
“Of course. You’re a member by marriage, and it is your plan.”
They found the Delaney household returned to normal, a rather sobernormal, but normal all the same. Eleanor was nowhere to be seen. Nicholas,Francis, Miles, Stephen, and Peter were around the dining table discussingtheir plans. Nicholas smiled when they came in. Beth thought it wassignificant that he had a sleeping baby in his arms. She thought Arabelwas the magic key in this house.
“You have the letter? Excellent. I’ll take it to my clever friendshortly, then all we have to do is fight over who gets the fun of breakingand entering.”
It was Miles Cavanagh, the gingery Irishman, who said, “I think weshould rule out married men for a start.”
Peter Lavering eyed him. “I think we should rule out foreigners.”
The Irishman’s eyes flashed. “Ah, if only Ireland were a foreignland.”
“No politics today, please,” said Stephen Ball. “I get enough of theIrish Question on the floor.”
Nicholas spoke up. “With Amy due to have the baby any day, Peter, wecan’t involve you in anything. Besides which,” he added, “you aren’t amember.”
Peter looked belligerently uncomfortable. “It ain’t my fault my familyalways goes to Winchester.”
Nicholas smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry. You are, of course, a fullhonorary member. But you’re still not getting involved in this. I missedArabel’s birth, and I have strong feelings on the subject. Stephen, you’renot coming either. If anything goes wrong we may need your influence?”
Eleanor popped into the room. “ ‘Ware servants!”
A few moments later Hollygirt and a maid came in to lay out a coldcollation, tea, and ale. When the servants had left and the food was beingpassed around, they continued the discussion.
“If I’m proscribed,” said Sir Stephen, “then I think Francis should be,too. He’s a member of the Lords though he rarely takes advantage ofit.”
Lord Middlethorpe said, “Stubble it, Steve.”
Nicholas shook his head. “We only need one to plant the will. The restwill be to guard and distract ?” He broke off at the sound of theknocker.
In a moment the door opened and Hal ushered Blanche into the room. Arather tense and uneasy Blanche. “He would insist that I come,” shesaid.
Eleanor came forward. “You must be Mrs. Hardcastle. You’re verywelcome.”
Nicholas said, “Yes, indeed. Come join us at the table.”
Hal and the bemused White Dove were soon seated in the circle. Blanchelooked at Nicholas with a slight frown. “We met before last night,” shesaid. “About a year ago.” There was clearly some significance to this.Almost a challenge.
“Yes, I know,” Nicholas said easily. “I was with Therese Bellaire.”
Blanche glanced at Eleanor, and Eleanor smiled. “It’s all right, Mrs.Hardcastle, I know all about it.”
Blanche’s brows rose. Nicholas said dryly, “Not quite all about it.”Eleanor looked startled. “Go on,” said Nicholas.
Beth looked between the two of them, wondering what was going on.
Hal said to the company as a whole, “She was fermenting all thesestrange ideas, so I thought she’d better come and get them off her chest.Anyway, she may be able to help us.”
Blanche flushed but faced Nicholas resolutely, “You were also therewith Deveril.”
It was Beth’s turn to stare at Nicholas. A more unbelievableacquaintanceship was impossible to imagine.
“Not quite,” said Nicholas. “He was there with Therese as was I. I wasdefinitely not with him.”
“Strange company all the same.”
“You were there, too.”
