Lissette raised her brows. “I highly doubt that, but I look forward to our conversation nonetheless.”
Dory grinned, pleased that Lissette was her friend as well as classmate. Taking a sip of her lemonade, she caught sight of her husband walking down the path toward them. That he took inordinate amounts of time from his day to spend with her made her feel truly treasured. It was such a change from being at home with her parents. Now, her heart ached for her mother, who had been banished to dowager house in Shefford, while her father lived in London. She’d seen her father at her wedding, but her mother had already been banished. That Felton had agreed on a trip to see her mother made her love him that much more.
“I see you ladies have completed your tour of the east wood.” He passed behind her to take the empty seat next to her, his pine scent filling her nose.
“We didn’ttour the wood—we tracked animals.”
His brows raised. “Truly? And what animals did you find?”
Dory laughed, too excited to tell him. “We found bunnies! Many, many bunnies.”
His eyes rounded. “Tell me you are only teasing.”
She yawned before smiling widely. “No, it’s true. I cannot wait to tell Rose.”
“I forbid you to tell Rose.”
She stared in shock, as he’d never forbidden her anything, but his lips twitched as he obviously held back a smile. Straightening her shoulders, she gave him a single nod. “Very well, I bow to your wishes.” She turned her head toward Lissette. “Please tell Rose that there are hundreds of bunnies in the east wood.”
“I would be pleased to.” Lissette tilted her head before speaking to Felton. “You may also enjoy knowing you have pheasants, martens, and foxes.”
Dory hid a smile at Felton’s attempt to hide his surprise. “And my wife can now spot these creatures by following their tracks?”
Lissette shook her head as she lifted her glass. “No. We only saw rabbits. The others stayed well hidden.”
Dory’s husband glanced at her as if for confirmation and she nodded.
“It seems I have underestimated Belinda’s school once again.”
“Oh, no. We didn’t learn that at the school. Lissette has skills from living in France during the war. Tracking is not on the slate of subjects. I just wished to learn about it and tonight, I will help Lissette understand Jean-Jacques Rousseau.” She yawned again, the morning’s activity taking a toll.
Felton sat back and crossed his legs. “I wish the school had a weapon’s expert among its instructors as well as a knife thrower.”
Surprised, Dory blinked. “Whyever would you wish that?”
“I received a letter from Mr. Taylour. He—”
Lissette spoke up, suddenly very attentive. “Mr. Taylour? Is that Mr. Anthony Taylour?”
“Yes.” Felton turned his attention to Lissette. “Do you know him?”
“I do.” She waved her hand. “It has been a long time. My grandmaman saved Lord Blackmore’s life and Mr. Taylour, he came and found Lord Blackmore at our home. He also made the arrangements for Mr. Blackmore to help my grandmaman and me to travel to England. Grandmaman has met with him several times, but I have not seen him in a number of years. Is he well?”
“I believe he is. He has been investigating various people for some of the peers. He has a very good reputation.”
Lissette seemed to mull over the information Felton had given her. “I would expect as much. He is thorough in all that he does. Please give him my regards.”
Lissette’s connection to the mysterious man whom Felton had tracking Lord Leighhall gave Dory an idea. “Silver Meadowsdoeshave a weapons expert.”
“Is that who taught you how to throw a knife?”
She nodded. “Yes, though I never finished my training. Tell Mr. Taylour to go to Silver Meadows and request a meeting with Dague.”
Lissette’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly schooled her features.
“Dague.” Her husband gave a nod. “I will write to Mr. Taylour this very afternoon.”
She would have to remember to tell Fen about “Dague” after Lissette was reacquainted with her old friend. She yawned again before finishing her lemonade.
