“Oiy!” said Hawk in a tone of awe as his gaze angled heavenward. “It’s bigger than St. James’s Palace.”
Raven turned in a slow circle, sniffing the air. “It smells different here. And it’s quiet as a crypt.”
“The country is very different from the city in a great many ways,” said Sheffield as he hurried down the front steps of the manor house to join them.
“We saw miles and miles of fields!” exclaimed Hawk. “And hills and hedgerows and—”
“Let us get settled inside, sweeting,” murmured Charlotte, touching his shoulder. “And then we can recount all the wondrous things we saw on the journey.”
“An excellent suggestion,” said Wrexford, handing Alison her cane and then offering his arm.
Sheffield quickly made his greetings to everyone and came around to escort Charlotte.
“There’s a warming fire lit in one of the side salons,” added the earl. “Tea and a cold collation will be served as soon as we’re seated.” He led the way through a cavernous entrance hall—its age-dark paneled walls bristled with hunting tapestries, racks of antlers, and a bloodthirsty array of ancient weaponry—and turned down a side corridor, where a door stood half-open.
“The parlor is a bit cozier than the formal drawing room,” he explained, guiding the dowager to the sofa set close to the blazing hearth. “Weasels!” he called as Alison seated herself on the plump pillows.
The boys had lingered in the entrance hall.No doubt ogling the swords and other implements of war, thought Charlotte.And deciding the best way to scale the walls.
Sure enough, the first words out of Raven’s mouth were about the weaponry. “Will you show us how to shoot the crossbows?”
“That depends on whether you behave like little gentlemen or little savages,” replied the earl.
Raven gave a rude snicker. “Behaving like little gentlemen is cursedly boring.”
Wrexford shrugged. “The choice is yours.” He let the statement hang between them for an instant before adding, “But be forewarned that any unauthorized high jinks with the weapons will have consequences. And don’t imagine that I won’t notice a minute shift in their position.”
The boys exchanged a quick look.
“There are puppies in the stables,” murmured the earl. “And ponies.”
Hawk’s eyes widened in alarm. “P-perhaps it would do no harm to practice being little gentlemen, at least for the next few days.”
“A splendid idea,” remarked Charlotte as two maids entered the parlor bearing a tea tray and a large platter heaped with food.
“Thank you,” said the earl, indicating that the refreshments should be placed on the low table between the sofa and armchairs.
As he turned to the sideboard, Charlotte took a moment to survey the room. Like the earl, it had an understated elegance highlighted by subtle touches of individuality.A juxtaposition of tradition and whimsy.
And the art on the walls was marvelous.
“Is this by Thomas Girtin?” she asked, moving to look more closely at an exquisite watercolor of an abbey ruin. “The light is ethereal.”
“Yes.” Wrexford came to stand beside her. “A prodigious talent. It’s a pity he died at such a young age.”
“Anthony was a great admirer of his work.” She didn’t add that her late husband had always voiced the sentiment with an undertone of resentment, as if the gods had somehow bestowed their gifts unfairly.
The earl offered her a brandy, and Charlotte found herself grateful for the heat of the spirits as she took a sip. She hadn’t realized how chilled she was.
Sheffield carried a glass to the dowager, along with one for himself.
“Ah, that warms the cockles,” murmured the dowager after a small swallow. She took another and then set it aside. “Hmmph. Now that we are all here, I imagine we’re going to have a council of war.” She eyed the boys. “Er, perhaps—”
Raven stiffened and lifted his chin. “We don’t need protecting, Aunt Alison. Lady Cordelia is our friend, and we’re already up to our necks in the investigation.”
“It’s true,” conceded Charlotte with an apologetic shrug. “I did warn you that the Weasels aren’t ordinary children.”
“So I am learning,” murmured Alison with a tiny smile. “Well, then, let us get on with it.”
