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M rs. Right was not very often put on the back foot. She was very much on the back foot just this moment though. How on earth could she have guessed that Mr. Cremble would go to a local churchman for counsel regarding her burning eyes when nearby a cross?

“Mrs. Right,” Mr. Cremble said, “I hope you are not offended, but if you have been in contact with…you know…and somehow been affected, as it seems you have, you need experienced help!”

The churchman, a certain Curate-in-Charge of The Grosvenor Chapel named Mr. Amesbey, stepped forward.

“Madam,” he said, “what I have heard was disturbing to the highest degree. I have come hither to investigate Mr. Cremble’s claims and provide assistance if that is deemed necessary.

I will go to the bishop if this situation reveals itself to be beyond my ken. ”

Mrs. Right steadied herself lest she stagger. Call on the bishop! The duke would not thank her for bringing in a bishop to inquire into his housekeeper’s dealings with the devil. She took a breath. “What claims?” she said, attempting to sound all innocence.

Mr. Amesbey and Mr. Cremble looked at one another. Mr. Cremble said, “She knows what claims! She cannot be near a cross or nearby anybody praying! Her eyes burn and she clutches at her head. The whole house knows it! They all act like it’s the most usual thing in the world.”

Mrs. Right wrinkled her brow. “What on earth are you talking about, Mr. Cremble?” She moved her fichu and pulled out the small gold cross round her neck.

Mr. Cremble stumbled backward. “How can that be? I have seen her repulsion to crosses with my own eyes. I even hid one under the table and it hurt her eyes. She could not have known it was there, but she staggered back. I saw it.”

Just then, Charlie and Thomas came bounding down the stairs. They stopped short upon noting a strange gentleman in the servants’ hall.

“Boys, as we feared,” Mrs. Right said before they could say a word, “Mr. Cremble is not at all well. He has dragged this poor clergyman away from his duties with a wild story of how I cannot bear to be near crosses or prayers. Have you ever heard the like?”

The footmen, clever and ever-ready to jump into one of the housekeeper’s gambits, both raised their brows. “What an idea,” Charlie said.

“Mr. Cremble?” Mr. Amesbey asked. “You have not imagined all of this?”

“I certainly have not!”

“Perhaps a cup of tea will help settle you, Mr. Cremble?” Thomas asked.

“I believe that might be a very good notion, young man,” the clergyman said. “Mr. Cremble, do you have any relations we might contact who could attend you?”

“You think I’ve gone mad! I haven’t, I tell you. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I don’t know how she’s wearing a cross now when two times, two times I tell you, she has been repulsed by them.”

Mr. Amesbey led Mr. Cremble to a chair. “Please do sit down and tell us who we may contact.”

Mr. Cremble sat down, looking about him like a caged animal. Then he took in a breath and narrowed his eyes. “I know who you can call on, Mr. Amesbey. Are you perhaps acquainted with Lady Marchfield?”

“Oh yes, very well, we work on several charitable committees together.”

“Tell her what’s going on,” Mr. Cremble said, in a low voice.

Mrs. Right bit her lip. That would not be a helpful development. “Now, Mr. Cremble, there is no need to bother Lady Marchfield.”

Mr. Cremble took Mr. Amesbey’s hand. “I beg of you, call on Lady Marchfield. Tell her what’s happened.

She placed me into this house and she ought to be informed.

I’d write her myself but she ,” he said, pointing at Mrs. Right, “would likely steal it out of the post. The devil’s work is being done here—anything might happen! ”

“Certainly there can be no cause—” Mrs. Right said, trailing off as she was not particularly sure where to go next with the situation.

Mr. Amesbey considered Mr. Cremble’s request. And probably the desperation in his eyes. “Very well, Mr. Cremble. I do not know how it could help, but I will carry out your wishes. Until then, I beg you to calm yourself.”

Mrs. Right sighed. This was a fine kettle of fish.

*

Patience had left, laughing as she was practically carried out of the house by Lord Stanford.

Apparently, he had interviewed several physicians who were skilled at attending births, and he and Patience had much to discuss between them.

His idea of the physician moving into the house a month ahead of time had so far not been well received, but he was convinced it was the right approach.

He had not even had a chance to begin interviewing midwives yet.

He had asked around for a recommendation at his club, but that also had not been well received, so he placed an advertisement.

The next two hours had ticked by slowly while Serenity anxiously watched the weather. It was clouding over but, finally, it was near eleven and there was no rain. It was time to proceed out with Nelson for the proposed walking of the dogs with Lord Thorpe.

Serenity had hoped that it might be only Mrs. Right to accompany her, but Winsome, Verity, and Valor had been so downcast over the suggestion that she could not hold firm on it.

They had all three promised to walk well behind and not interrupt.

Valor’s promise was not particularly convincing, though, and the effects of Lord Thorpe’s compliment to her ability to stay up beyond her time had seemed to fade rather quickly.

At least, she was still pleased that it was well known that her staying up past her time was remarkable.

It was just that she’d somehow discharged Lord Thorpe from getting any credit for pointing it out.

They all stood in the great hall, staring at the hall clock, as Serenity did not wish to look overeager. As it struck eleven, pelisses were donned and they set off.

The terrible idea of Lord Thorpe failing to turn up gripped Serenity as she walked out the doors.

It would be devastating! She would be shamed in some way.

She’d have to carry on with the walk as if she thought nothing of it.

Tears leapt to her eyes and she quickly wiped them away.

It was well she did, as he was already at the gate that led into the square, Havoc by his side and wildly wagging his tail at the sight of Nelson.

Though she would like to proceed in some dignified manner, Nelson was equally enthused to get sight of Havoc and pulled her forward.

As the two dogs greeted one another in the rather off-putting way that dogs sometimes do, involving a lot of sniffing in unmentionable areas, Serenity averted her eyes.

“Lady Serenity, Mrs. Right, Lady Verity, Lady Winsome, Lady Valor,” Lord Thorpe said.

There were curtsies all round, though Valor’s was rather perfunctory. “Lord Thorpe,” Serenity said.

“Shall we proceed?” Lord Thorpe said.

Serenity nodded and they passed through the gate.

Now that the dogs had greeted one another in their own particular fashion, they seemed happy to walk ahead, relatively side by side.

There were the occasional stops to sniff at something along the path, and then Havoc took the opportunity to relieve himself, which Nelson felt compelled to investigate.

Both Serenity and Lord Thorpe pretended they did not notice these inelegant activities.

“I wonder if you will attend Lady Jellerbey’s candlelight picnic this evening,” Lord Thorpe asked.

“Yes, indeed I will.”

Valor sighed heavily behind her.

“My father claims it is rather ridiculous to go stumbling around in the dark,” Serenity continued, “however, Lady Jellerbey’s sideboards are said to be very good.”

Lord Thorpe nodded. “Lady Jellerbey herself is very genial and unlike a usual rout, she does not fill up her rooms to the point that it’s uncomfortable.”

“I was a little surprised that we were issued an invitation this year. Last year, my papa singed the lady’s curtains as he was demonstrating setting Lady Vanderwake’s curtains afire.”

“Ah yes, people do still mention Lady Vanderwake’s experience from time to time. Lady Jellerbey is good-humored though.”

“Yes, I suppose she must be, else she would have left us off the list this year.”

“Maybe she did!” Valor said.

“She did not, Poppet,” Mrs. Right said, “else they would not be going.”

“Singed curtains are not all that unusual,” Verity said, “at least, I have heard it often said.”

“From who?” Winsome asked.

Lord Thorpe’s eyebrows raised just a little over Verity’s comment and Serenity could see he was attempting to suppress a smile over her sister’s latest bit of nonsense.

“I had a thought this morning of hosting a dinner,” Lord Thorpe said.

“Oh, a dinner?”

“I thought I might repay the duke’s hospitality.”

“Not necessary!” Valor said.

“Valor,” Winsome scolded.

“I thought I might arrange things in a rather unusual manner,” Lord Thorpe went on. “I thought we might dine early, at six, as that might be more convenient for Lady Valor.”

There was not a peep behind them and Serenity supposed Valor was taking in this latest compliment. It was really very good of Lord Thorpe to take her youngest sister into consideration. And very clever too.

“It is a very kind thought, Lord Thorpe,” Serenity said. “I am sure my father would be gratified by such an invitation.”

“Excellent.”

They had left the turn behind them and proceeded back toward their own side of the square.

Both Nelson and Havoc began to pull on their leashes to speed up. It felt very like what a horse does when he comprehends that he is headed back to the stables to be rubbed down and given oats. Far too soon, they were through the gate and back on the pavement.

Lord Thorpe said, “That was a very pleasant walk, I believe Havoc really enjoyed it.”

“I feel confident I can say the same for Nelson.”

“I will send over the invitations to my dinner this afternoon. I hope you do not have a prior engagement on Friday.”

“We might,” Valor said sulkily.

“I am certain we do not,” Serenity said.