“Mary Margaret, I will not drink from the decanter. This is a crazy idea. Let’s go back.” The urgency in her whispered words spoke of her fear of discovery.
“No.” Margaret stomped her foot. “I am here and we are going to try it.”
“Fine. But we need glasses.”
“Oh,” Margaret said, her expression brightening. “Papa has glasses somewhere.”
“There on the tray,” pointed Lilli. “Just one glass so it will look like your father was the only one in here having a drink. No one will question that.”
“You are so smart. Yes, that will work.”
The liquid was poured, and the girls took a small sip.
“Disgusting,” said Lilli, making a face to match the description.
“My turn.” Margaret took a sip. She tried not to be so appalled, but she was unable to accomplish that. Her face crunched up at the strong flavor.
“I’m not drinking any more of that.” Lilli stepped back.
“We can’t leave it in the glass. Papa finishes his glass. We are going to have to drink it.”
Lilli looked as horrified at that thought as she had after taking that first sip. She sighed heavily. “Very well. I will take a drink and then you finish it and we are done. Promise me.”
“Yes, I promise.” Margaret crossed her heart and Lilli wondered if it was for protection or promises.
“Right. Here goes.”
Lilli pinched her nose and took a swallow that left the final bit for Margaret. Holding her nose didn’t help Lilli and by the coughing and sputtering, Margaret might need a corner of the garden to purge herself. Lilli pounded her back as quietly as she could.
“We should have thrown the offensive liquid in the garden.”
Margaret wheezed a giggle. “It would have killed Mama’s prize roses.”
“No doubt, but we would still be unharmed.”
Mary Margaret froze when there were voices in the hallway close to the library.
“Lord Downing, may I have a word? I was wondering if you could indulge me in a few pointers on how you run your stables.”
Lord Downing chuckled proudly. “Of course, Your Grace.” The voices retreated.
“Hurry, we must leave before Papa returns.”
They put the decanter back, left the glass on the desk right where Margaret said her papa puts his, and they slipped back to the main drawing room sporting a green tint to their skin they didn’t have previously. Each drank some rosemary and mint water to cleanse their palate and hopefully calm their tummies, then found another friend to take a turn about the room with as though nothing out of the ordinary happened.
Suddenly Lilli was joined by Oliver before Lilli could enlist another lady to walk with her. He spoke quietly. “Have you had a nice stroll in the garden?”
“How did you…” She stopped herself. She was learning his tricks. “Yes, I did. Mary Margaret and I do not usually have as much time to spend together as we did so this was a nice treat.”
“And was the refreshment to your liking?”
“The… as I am sure you know, there are no refreshments in the garden. Is it hot in here?”
Oliver felt the smile begin on his lips and he pressed them together hard to avoid any hint of it breaking through. “Hot? No, my dear but we can stand on the balcony if you prefer.”
“That might be nice. I am feeling a bit overheated.” He led her to the stone walking area out the back door of the drawing room.
“Your face is flushed, my dear. And you are unsteady. Almost as if you were drinking from the wrong punch bowl or the wrong decanter.”
