Dear Duke of Stratton,
I apologize for not getting in touch sooner, but I kept hoping the rain would cease and that I might ask you and Peter if you’d like to go for another walk. When the weather did not improve I thought to invite you both for tea yesterday. At least Peter could play with Heidi in the parlor. But then the Marchioness of Ipsly came to call together with her son. They remained for luncheon, tea, and supper which, if you ask me, was rather rude.
That aside, the weather today appears to be much improved. A walk would therefore be welcome, although I would like to make a different proposal. The paper this morning announced a fair. It’s a little past Islington so it would take about an hour to get there, but I thought it might be fun for Peter. It is however worth mentioning that Heidi would have to stay home. However, if you agree, I can stop by to pick you up immediately after luncheon. Does one o’clock suit?
Should Peter prefer to spend more time with Heidi, then that’s fine as well. I just thought I’d mention the fair since it will be ending in a few days.
Awaiting your response with the hope of an imminent outing,
Lady Emily Brooke.
Callum dashed from the parlor as soon as he’d finished reading the letter and ran upstairs, almost knocking a painting off the wall in his haste to find Peter. The boy was in his room when Callum entered, a little out of breath.
“I just got word,” Callum said, still holding the letter in his fist. He relayed its contents and waited to see what Peter would say.
“I’ve never been to a fair.” He looked at Callum. “I’d like to go but I’d also like to see Heidi. How do I choose?”
Callum crouched before him. “Think of it this way. The fair will end soon and, with the weather being what it is, there’s no guarantee we’ll be able to go tomorrow or the day after. But even if it rains, we can still stop by Rosemont House to see Heidi. Lady Emily made the suggestion herself and just to reassure you, I’ll make arrangements for you to see Heidi again soon if we do go to the fair.”
“Promise?”
“Absolutely.”
Peter rushed at Callum and flung his arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
Callum hugged the boy firmly while feeling a bit like a hero who’d just slayed a nasty dragon.
The carriage came at exactly one o’clock. Dawson announced its arrival but there was no need. Peter, who’d been watching for it from the parlor window, told Callum as soon as it pulled up in front of the door. Callum put on his hat and gloves and the pair left the house.
“Good afternoon,” he said, following Peter into the carriage where Lady Emily and her maid waited. The ladies seconded the greeting, the door was pulled shut, and they were off.
Unaccustomed to travelling in a full carriage, Callum stretched out his legs without thinking and quickly pulled them back when his foot found Lady Emily’s.
“Sorry.” He darted a hasty look in Georgina’s direction and winced in response to her chastising glance.
Lady Emily, however, did not appear to share her maid’s disapproval. When Callum caught her gaze once more, she looked as though she was struggling to keep from laughing. He smiled at her. It pleased him immensely that she was seated across from him so he was able to look at her without appearing too obvious.
She pursed her lips, then shifted her feet to the right and jutted her chin in a downward direction toward her left, as if to say,Go on. You can put your legs there.
He glanced at the maid again and, noting she now studied the view, he decided to make himself comfortable while mouthing the words, “Thank you.”
Lady Emily gave him an answering nod before turning her attention to Peter. “I know how fond you are of Heidi, so I thought it might please you to know that I’ve spoken with my parents. They’ve both agreed you are welcome to visit whenever you like between two and five in the afternoons. Should Stratton be unable to join you, he may drop you off. In the event that I am not there, the servants will make sure you’re well looked after.”
Peter stared at her. So did Callum. Just when he thought the woman was done surprising him in the best way possible, she managed to do it again.
“That is extremely generous of you,” Callum said when Peter failed to respond.
He nudged the boy who suddenly blinked. “Yes. Thank you ever so much.”
“My pleasure.” Lady Emily smiled at him with affection. “Now tell me what you’d most like to see at the fair. It’s my understanding that there are jugglers, acrobats, and various animals. The advertisement even mentioned pleasure boats as well as up-and-downs.”
Her question gave way to an animated discussion. Peter was very intrigued by the mention of acrobats and wanted to know what sort of acts they might be performing.
Lady Emily grinned. “We’ll have to see, but I’m sure they’ll be good at balancing on their hands. I once saw one walk across a rope strung high between two poles.”
“How is such a thing possible?” Peter asked, his voice filled with awe.
“With vast amounts of practice, I imagine,” Callum said with a chuckle. He shifted his legs and stilled when they came to rest against Lady Emily’s. When she didn’t move, neither did he, though his pulse did leap and his stomach contracted.
