Morris, who had retreated to stand looking out of the window, came back and leaned against the bedpost. “I caught some bounder trying to rob me, sir. Tackled the beastly fellow, but he had friends, unfortunately.”
“Simple robbery,” said Sir Mark, irritated.
“So simple they took very little, sir,” argued Gideon.
“Understandable. Morris says he interrupted the thieves.”
“Yes, that’s so.” Morris was considerably daunted by his friend’s formidable sire, but he said bravely, “But no one interrupted the men who attacked your groom when he went to fetch our belongings from the Red Pheasant.”
“Do you say,” demanded Sir Mark with a fierce scowl, “that these petty thefts, in none of which anything of much value was taken, are connected to the collapse of my bank and my companies, the destruction of my shipyard, my son’s having been viciously beaten today? If so, sir, I’d be much obliged would you explain the connection to me, for I’ll own myself too dense to make head nor tail of it all.”
Morris flushed, and stammered nervously, “Wish I c-could, sir. Never was much good at riddles.”
Gideon said, “Father, in each of these instances the rogues have referred to ‘the Squire,’ and—”
“Well, what in thunder is so dashed unusual in that? I fancy my employees refer to me in the same fashion.”
“Yes, but—”
“Now listen to me, my boy. I’ve seen more of life than have you and I know blasted well ’tis full of the strangest coincidences. You have your work cut out to discover who is behind the plot to destroy me. Do not be turned aside by this other havey-cavey business. You were attacked this morning because you are coming close to the man who is behind it all.”
“I hope so, sir. But theysearchedme. Why? Unless itispart of the other affair and they think—”
Sir Mark gave a disgusted snort. “Of course they searched you. They were sent to frighten you off, but no common hireling is going to resist the chance of seizing a gentleman’s rings, or purse, or whatever. You told me yourself that you’re of the opinion someone mistakenly supposes you or Lieutenant Morris have brought home something of value.”
“Yes, but—”
“Then they have doubtless discovered their error, so don’t maudle your mind with nonsense.” He started to the door, then hesitated, and came back to stand by the bed. “Gideon,” he said in a gruff voice, “I gather I am luckier than I realized in that you came back from Holland alive. I’d—er, I’d not see you killed, boy. You will take care?”
Touched, Morris said, “Never fear, sir. I’ll keep an eye on the gudgeon.”
Sir Mark stared at him. “You cannot guess how that relieves my mind,” he said dryly.
***
“You would not dare!” Already wearing her ball gown, Katrina’s eyes were wide, and she gazed at her friend in awe.
“Oh, yes she would, Miss Katrina,” said Maggie, coaxing a strand of Naomi’s hair into a glowing ringlet. “It don’t matter to my lady if folks says as I doesn’t know how to send her out. When my lady’s in a taking like this—”
“Oh, hush, you silly girl,” snapped Naomi, snatching the comb. “Go! Go! I shall manage my hair myself!”
Maggie threw her apron over her head and departed, wailing. Once in the hall, her wails ceased, and she smiled to herself. When my lady got over her pet and was full of remorse (as she always was, the sweet soul), there would be a gift offered in repentance for her harshness. It would be the lavender cap this time, thought Maggie happily. My lady never had much cared for it, but it would look lovely with her own new Sunday gown. And if a certain first footman, by the name of Mr. Robert Hinton, come creeping round with his saucy words and saucier hands, he’d discover that ladies with caps of lavender silk and lace could look so high as they wanted! She tripped along the hall, humming softly.
Naomi was also humming, turning the mirror this way and that as she studied the back view of her coiffure. Maggie really had performed her usual magic, and the clustered curls looked rather nice. “I see no reason,” she said loftily, “why everyone must be the same. There is no law says we all must wear powder, is there?”
“There is no law which says a gentleman must fight an he is insulted. But they all do.”
“Precisely. Gentlemen are so many silly sheep, which is not to say I shall be the same.”
Katrina said quietly, “Then, alas, you must judge me also a silly sheep.”
At once contrite, Naomi flew to hug her. “Oh, but I am a horrid cat! I wonder you bear with me! Your hair looks divinely in that silver powder. But thenyouwould look divinely were you to go bald in public!”
Laughing, Katrina said, “Do not eventhinksuch a thing! And your auburn hair is truly glorious, Naomi. I fancy you will be the rage of the ball, and poor Captain Rossiter scarce see you the entire evening.”
“One can but hope,” muttered Naomi, returning to the dressing table and fastening an emerald necklace about her white throat. Gideon had been used to say the nicest things about the colour of her hair… She caught herself in a sigh, and smothered it hurriedly. “I declare,” she said, “between my wretched escort tonight, and this miserable business about my slipper, I am all a’twitter! Everyone is whispering and trying to guesswhothe wicked lady is, andhowher slipper chanced to fall from an upstairs window…! Oh, Trina! Why must people have such horrid minds?”
“Only some people, dearest. And after all, nobody knows ’tis your slipper. If you can but get another made before—”
