Chester bounded up with a large stick in his mouth, that he managed to maneuver between Fred and Matilda.
“Did you enjoy your first Crabbett Close games, Miss Downing?”
“Very much, Miss Alvin,” she lied.
“Look. There is Leo, heading our way,” Anna said.
“He is wanting to speak with Miss Downing,” Fred added.
“How do you know that?” Eliza asked.
The girl shrugged. “I sometimes know things before they happen.”
“Ah… pardon?” Eliza said.
A few odd things had happened in the household that she’d been unable to rationalize. Like the day Mrs. Fletcher had asked her if she had any lasting effects from the fall she’d taken a few months ago. She couldn’t remember mentioning her injury.
Two days ago, Alexander Nightingale had asked her if anyone in her life had called her Lizzie—possibly a rational assumption, and yet it had made the hair on her arms rise. Her father had, but there was no way he could have known that.
“Hello, Leo!” Anna shrieked.
The viscount raised his hand in response, smiling at the little girl.
“Well now, imagine finding you all out here on this chilly day,” he said when he reached them.
“We are wrapped up warm,” Matilda said, tugging on a piece of braid. “We are drizzling. Do you want to join us?”
“Much as that sounds like a lot of fun, I actually came to ask Miss Downing a question.”
“How may I help you, my lord?” Eliza put down her braid to look at him.
“Have you by chance lost a necklace, Miss Downing? Gold, with a small symbol on it. A flower, I believe, but I’m unsure what kind of flower yet.”
Eliza thought that an odd thing to ask, but said, “No, my Lord.”
“Not you, then,” he muttered. “Ah well, never mind. I’m sure the owner will make him or herself known in due course. Now, what is drizzling, if you please?”
Anna explained as she held up the braid that she was pulling the gold threads from.
“That sounds like fun. I was just about to head to Appleblossoms to see how the apricotine recipe is going, but you all stay here and drizzle.”
Sly devil—he knew the girls would want to go with him the second he mentioned apricotines. The Nightingale family seemed to have a fixation for the sweet treats.
“Oooh, sorry, Mavis, but I’m going with Leo,” Fred said.
“If you bring me one back, I’ll allow it,” Mavis said.
“I’m never sure if she’s serious or not,” Leo whispered to Eliza. “Unlike our resident grumpy Scotsman, who is exactly as he seems.”
“Yes, he does not seem happy often.” She wouldn’t ask about him outright, but if someone was willing to give her information about Mungo, she’d listen. He intrigued her, and as yet, the only reason for that intrigue was that he’d saved her life.
What other reason could there be?
As it turned out, they all decided to walk to Appleblossoms Bakers.
“I’m quite sure you haven’t worked out all the nuances of the household and family as yet, Miss Downing, so let me fill you in.”
“Oh no—really, there is no need. I am a staff member, and?—”
