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The girl just nodded. “Shut the door on the way out, if you will. Else Mrs. Jannet will ring a peal over my head.”

“Indeed.” Pippy just stared after her as she left the three of them standing in the larder.

“I have no words,” Ari said emphatically.

“Yes. I’m uncertain what to think as well.” Pippy led them out into the corridor and closed the door behind them. She checked it a second time to make certain it was tight.

“Perhaps you should leave it ajar. It would serve her right.” Evie grinned mischievously. “Can you believe the way she spoke to us?”

“I’m certain she had her reasons.” Pippy opened the door again and found a discarded burlap sack. She placed the suet and small bag of oats and nuts inside. Pushing hard against the door again, she turned to her sisters. “Shall we go in search of pine cones?”

They both nodded.

They retraced their steps up the stairs and exited onto the terrace through the saloon. Then they walked to where they’d found the pinecones the previous week.

“How many shall we gather?”

Pippy shrugged. “A dozen?” she said. “We can always bring unused cones back.”

It took no time at all to gather what they needed and return to the house. They handed off their bonnets and pelisses and moved into the empty breakfast room.

“Now what do we do?” Ari asked.

“Do you think Mrs. Jannet would lend you a bowl?” Pippy asked.

Ari nodded and dashed off.

Pippy opened the burlap sack and took everything out, laying each item on the table. “I should have brought down the ribbon we had left over from decorating the entryway.” She stood up. “I’ll go fetch it and be back before Ari returns.”

She hurried up the stairs as fast as she dared and pushed into the sitting room. But she pulled up short when she found Freddie sitting on the couch.

“There you are, my…dear. Where have you been?”

Why did he always seem to stumble over those words? Did he find them distasteful? She pushed it away and walked over to him, trying to hide her slight breathlessness. “I thought you were hunting for the day?”

He lifted a shoulder. “It was rather dull. There wasn’t a fox to be had. I cried off and came in search of you.”

Out of habit, Pippy glanced to the corners of the room. “Did your father return early also?”

“One would have to go in the first place to cry off early.”

Her brow puckered. “He did not go on the hunt?”

Freddie shook his head. “He claimed to have business in the village. I should have questioned him over it, however, I find I enjoy his absence.” He stood up and gave her a wry smile. “Now, what of you? You look like you’ve just run from the village. Your nose is pink.” Coming closer, he touched her nose with his fingertip.

She swallowed. “I was collecting pinecones with Evie and Ari. We just came back inside, but I needed the ribbon.”

A smile slowly curved his lips. “And why, pray tell, were you collecting pinecones with my sisters?”

She took a step closer to him, enjoying his nearness. It was silly, but she was glad he’d come back. “Ari’s convinced that unless we intervene, all the birds of Bellthorne will perish from starvation.”

He dropped his head back and laughed. “And you thought pinecones would help?”

She scowled at him. “Not on their own, no.”

He grew serious. Or he simply wanted her to believe he had. “Perhaps I may join you? I’d love to see how one might save the bird population of Yorkshire.”

She lifted her chin and moved to the side. “I’m of a mind to decline your request.”