“Well, we will need you as well. Did Lady Middlebury mention playing to you? No? Then take this as your invitation. We meet at half past the hour in the music room, where we were last night,” she tacked on, an instruction for Gwendolyn’s benefit. “Come, come,come.”
On those words, Lady Orpington started to leave, but stopped. She shoved Magpie into the nearest footman’s arms. “Here, take Magpie out—and don’t let one of those heathen hounds near her.” On those instructions, she dashed out of the room to continue her card preparations.
The footman’s impassive expression suddenly changed to one of alarm. He held the dog up, and everyone could see a Magpie spot on the chest of his livery. His fellow servants snickered as he marched Magpie out of the dining room. The dog hung her head, but Gwendolyn didn’t sense she was sorry for her transgression.
Reverend Denburn pushed his plate away. “I am summoned. I shall see you upstairs,” he said to Gwendolyn. He followed Lady Orpington.
Gwendolyn turned to Beckett. He did not appear happy. “How are you going to convince her to leave now? This is what she has been waiting for.”
“I’m not certain.”
She shrugged. “Will one day of play hurt?” She looked around the breakfast room, empty save for themselves and three footmen standing readyto see to their every wish. The walls boasted prints of songbirds. It was a far cry from the horror of the cottage. “It all seems distant, doesn’t it? Almost unreal.”
“Oh, it is real,” he assured her. He seemed to weigh his options.
At that moment, Miss Purley and her friends and their mothers entered the breakfast room. They didn’t speak to Gwendolyn, and she didn’t offer more than a nod as a greeting... although she knew Miss Purley and Lady Beth had noticed how close Beckett sat to her. She took pleasure in stiff shoulders and their bitter, jealous frowns. Let the rumors fly. Mr. Steele’s kiss had cemented the two of them together. He washers, and she’d not apologize for disrupting their designs on him.
Beckett stood. “I’ll walk with you to where they are playing cards.” Out in the front hall, as they climbed the stairs, he said in a hushed tone, “Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”
Gwendolyn came to a halt. “Lady Orpington will not go. Not now that we will be playing cards.”
“I won’t give her a choice.” He placed a hand on her waist and encouraged her up the stairs.
She liked the weight of his touch, especially since it drew her closer to him. “What of our maids, and then we must include Mrs. Newsome, as well?”
“The servants are safe. I can see them returned to London once I know I have you and Lady Orpington safe.”
“And Mrs. Newsome.”
He seemed to consider a moment. “I’ll speak to her.” A group of people gathered outside the music room. Inside, servants were setting up tables, organizing refreshments, and hastening to do as Lady Middlebury commanded. She noticed Beckett and Gwendolyn. She paused, smiled, the expression tight-lipped. The expression told Gwendolyn that their hostess was not pleased with the turn of events. So why was she doing it? Lady Orpington stood close at hand, watching all with a self-satisfied smile.
Mrs. Newsome sat outside the room on a bench with her knitting. She smiled up at Gwendolyn and Beckett. “It is happening,” she said, her eyes lively as if she enjoyed the scrambling of servants.
The footman returned with Magpie. His jacket was still stained. He gingerly carried the dog into the room and offered her to Lady Orpington. She took her pet without comment or a thank-you and marched right out the door, where she dumped Magpie onto Mrs. Newsome’s lap. “Watch her, Vera.” She looked toward Gwendolyn and Beckett, clapping her gloved hands together with a smile of anticipation. “The time has come,” she said with great relish. “Come inside. I will show you where we will sit.” She didn’t wait for an answer but marched back into the room.
Gwendolyn shot an overwhelmed glance at Beckett, but then noticed Mrs. Newsome shove Magpie off her knitting and off her lap. She even attempted to give the dog a small kick. Magpie, her large eyes resentful but unsurprised, scooted under a chair. She eyed Mrs. Newsome warily,and Gwendolyn could almost hear the dog “grumbling” over her mistress being preoccupied with cards.
Gwendolyn wasn’t fond of the spoiled Magpie either, but she would never hurt a dog, or take out her hostility on one. And Mrs. Newsome’s behavior when she believed no one was watching alarmed Gwendolyn. The companion was not as sweetly docile as she wished to seem. Then again, Magpie, and Lady Orpington, could try anyone’s patience.
Beckett leaned close. He’d apparently not seen the little dog drama. His attention was on the whist room. “How long will the card playing go on?”
“Most of the day. Perhaps into the night. At least, that is what Lady Orpington told me.”
“Very well. At least I will know where you are. You’ll be safe with so many people around.”
“Are we becoming a touch too vigilant?” Now that she was at the house and among the guests, the danger didn’t feel real as it had in the cottage.
“No,” he answered succinctly. “Be watchful. I shall check on you later.”
“Yes, sir,” she answered back, smiling to soften the words. “And you will be?”
He looked to the stairs. “Attempting to see the marquess.”
Lady Middlebury announced loudly, “We are ready. Ellen,” she said, addressing Lady Orpington, “do you know how you wish the pairs organized?”
“I do,” Lady Orpington answered. “Come inside, everyone. Let us begin.”
Gwendolyn sighed. It was going to be a longday. She nodded to Beckett and walked to the music room door. She glanced back.
