“Your charities have been astoundingly helpful,” she said, glancing at Verity. “So many children, and adults too, have safe and warm places to sleep thanks to you.”
“I had the ideas,” she shrugged. “But the good folks of Arcvale brought it to life. As did you, my dear Tabby.”
The other woman smiled. “It’s been an extraordinary chance for me, Verity. I’ll be forever grateful. I know all too well how my life would have been without you. And my children...I shudder to think of what might have happened. But here we are, sitting together, organising vast sums of money and directing them where they are most needed. It makes me feel good at the end of a long day.”
Smiling, Verity nodded. “I know what you mean.” She sighed. “If only I could figure out this one little thing that is annoying me...”
“What’s that?”
“The deposit you made the other day. The one that was recorded aspending.”
Tabby straightened in her chair. “It did go through, didn’t it?”
“Yes, yes, of course. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. It’s just one of those annoying things that lurks in the back of my mind.”
“I can understand that. Your charities have a considerable number of accounts. I wonder sometimes how you keep track of them all.”
“Good bookkeeping, an eye for numbers, and you,” answered Verity. “Mostly, anyway.”
“I don’t envy you that. I am so glad to be able to help where I can, but the fortune you have to administer? Not me. I just couldn’t do it. I make the deposits, keep the donation records, that’s simple stuff. All I need to do is make sure the money ends up where it’s supposed to.” She sighed. “As far as that strange hiccup goes? Well, the system always fixes itself in the end, doesn’t it?”
Silent for a few moments, Verity thought about that. “You know, I never really paid a lot of attention to that. One assumes that everything runs along smoothly—like a well-oiled trammelbuggy.”
“Until it doesn’t,” remarked Tabby wryly.
Verity nodded. “Until it doesn’t.”
Silence fell for a while as both ladies worked on their various chores, and if it hadn’t been for Sprocket bearing a tray, they probably would have continued doing just that.
“Tea, m’Lady,” announced the tickerkin.
“Oh thank God. Just what I need.” Tabby chuckled. “I am firmly of the opinion that there is no better restorative than a nice cup of tea.”
“I agree wholeheartedly.” Verity leaned back and stretched her arms above her head. “Oh coggleblast.”
“What?” Two heads swivelled at the identical moment, both voices saying the same thing.
“I just remembered that this afternoon is the day of the Art Show. It completely slipped my mind, which must be on too many things at once.” Verity frowned. “Sprocket...”
“I would have reminded you before it was too late. Your green silk gown is laid out, m’Lady. I wondered if the smaller bonnet with the silk flowers might be nice with that dress.” She paused. “The one with the lilies of the valley.”
Verity stared at her tickerkin, eyes narrowing. “What an excellent choice, Sprocket. Thank you. Mrs Monroe and I have about an hour or hour and a half or so left. We’ll be done in plenty of time.”
Tabby glanced at her. “I remember now, you’re sponsoring this with Lady Beatrice, aren’t you?”
“I’m not quite sure how that happened, but yes.” She turned to her friend. “I’m really hoping you can be there? To lend me moral support?”
“I’d like to attend, very much. If only to see if de Montclair’s art is as bad as everyone is saying.” Tabby grinned. “So I’ll make sure to be there.”
“Excellent.” Verity nodded. “Well, let’s crack on with this, otherwise I might miss the extraordinary pleasure of meeting Albermarle de Montclair.”
Both ladies rolled their eyes.
Sprocket cleaned up the teacups and left them to it.
*~~*~~*
Meanwhile, at Ashcombe Cottage, a solitary gentleman was having a polite but intense argument with his tickerkin.
