My stepmother was still speaking, praising Mr. Sternfeld’s charm and good manners and how he would do wonders to liven up the neighborhood. Julianna sat at the table nearest to my spot at the bushes, her fingers inches away from her tea. It was strongly brewed, perfect to conceal something of similar color.
I sprinkled the dirt into my palm and began picking out the roots and gravel.
“Psst! What are you doing?”
I looked down. A couple of ginger-haired boys stared at me from the bushes, their cheeks flushed apple red. They were Tessa Donahue’s brothers, Frederick and Teddy.
Tessa, a dear friend of Julianna’s, lived a block away. She was in charge of her brothers today since their parents were absent. Unfortunately for her, the boys were the most rambunctious scamps on the block.
“There’s a witch in our midst,” I said to them, flicking away the last piece of root. “And I’m taking her down.”
The two exchanged a glance. Fred gave me a gap-toothed grin and thumped his chest. “We can help.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Are you up for the task?”
They nodded.
Lydia eventually concluded her speech and the guests applauded. Julianna began chatting with Tessa, who incidentally was sitting beside her. Neither of them noticed me huddling with the Donahue brothers, or giving dirt to Ted.
“Got it?” I whispered.
“Got it,” they chorused.
And then chaos ensued.
Fred darted out and snatched Julianna’s straw hat, tearing off the ribbons and crepe flowers. Julianna shrieked. Tessa’s face grew as red as her hair.
“Fred! Stop that at once!” Tessa bellowed.
“Catch me if you can!” Fred sang.
They ran after him. The guests gaped as Fred fled, leaving a trail of shredded ribbons behind him. Julianna’s scream was now shrill enough to shatter glass. Ted burst from the bushes and sprinkled the dirt into Julianna’s tea, stirring it in with a grimy finger.
Seeing the mission complete, Fred abandoned the ruined hat and dove into the marigolds along the fence.
“You wretched little—ack!” Julianna stumbled over her hat and crashed into the lawn, bringing Tessa down with her.
Tessa squealed as her hands skidded across the grass. “My gloves!”
“Your gloves?” Julianna screeched. “My hat!”
Lydia rushed over. She looked horrified, her impeccable updo now in disarray. “Good heavens! Girls, are you alright?”
“I am not!” Julianna pounded the grass with her fist. “Thathorridboy tore up my hat! The duchess gifted it to me on my sixteenth birthday!”
“T-the duchess?” Lydia stuttered. “Duchess Wilhelmina? The hostess of this year’s Season?” She paled when Julianna nodded.
Tessa whimpered. “How much was it, exactly?”
Julianna shot her a glare. “It waspriceless. You ought to keep your brothers on leashes, Tessa.”
Mr. Sternfeld, who had been watching with an unreadable expression, finally walked over to help Julianna to her seat. She began sobbing unabashedly onto his shoulder and raving about how awful small boys were. Tessa trailed meekly behind them.
“Do calm yourself, Ms. Alderidge,” Mr. Sternfeld said.
She dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. “Oh, Mr. Sternfeld. I am so distressed!”
The gentleman chuckled. It sounded forced. “Why not have some tea to settle your nerves?”
