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Puck’s costume lay on the bed next to the hideous bodice and skirt that would be Hermia’s.

Cassandra had found a simple tunic, smock, and pair of trousers for Puck, and she’d attached tiny horns to a hat.

The trousers wouldn’t go over Nancy’s hips, but Meg would fetch a bigger pair for her from among the spare clothing they’d kept for her brothers.

James rummaged through the contents of the basket, crowing, “You did well, Nancy. We’ll make a hoyden of you yet. These rose hips are perfect. You’ll need work gloves and your pen knife and a steaming cup of tea. Quickly though, so we may prepare them in time.”

He pulled out the mortar and pestle and a small jar of white peppercorns.

While he went to work making sneezing powder, she spread a handkerchief on her dressing table and began pulling shriveled petals from the rose hips. “There wasn’t much syrup of ipecac left.”

“A wee bit will do the trick. I’ve borrowed a dropper from the apothecary.” He smiled. “And something else, if we dare. I’ve obtained a rare bit of Spanish fly.”

Blood rushed to her face. She oughtn’t to know what Spanish fly was and what it was used for, but her friend Sally and some of the other girls had shared the secrets in whispered late-night discussions after their candles had been extinguished.

“No, James.”

“Nothing to worry about, it’s only the tiniest bit. I’ll put a pinch in his drink. Imagine his frustration when he?—”

“ No, James .” She’d heard tales of what went on at masquerades in town. Plus, Spanish fly in the wrong dosage could be poisonous. “That’s a step too far. I say no to that one, for Mama’s sake.”

He laughed, and then sneezed. “Very well. I also have some extract of sweet flag.”

“What is that?”

“It’s said to have a milder effect than the Spanish fly. Used by the ancients to ensure the happiness of their wi?—”

“Stop. Just stop.”

Perhaps it had been a mistake to enlist James’s help. She was losing control. “There will be no aphrodisiacs tonight.”

What she wanted was quite the opposite.

“Think of it, though, Nancy.” James’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “The Swilling Duke aching for who he thinks is you, while I, pretending to be you, continue to rebuff him.”

“It’s just as likely that, after you pretending to be me and rebuffing him, he’ll direct that aching at someone else, such as Miss Hazelton.”

James raised an eyebrow. “And you would mind that?”

The thought brought a spurt of hot jealousy and an ache to her heart.

Simon had been no more than kind to her younger self.

She had no claim on him, and at Lady Chilcombe’s he’d made it clear he was well acquainted with the women of the demimonde.

Perhaps he was one of those men who were incapable of truly caring for any one woman.

The scandal sheets were filled with the antics and affairs of cheating husbands and equally unfaithful wives.

What a horrible way to live out one’s marriage.

“Of course not. She’s welcome to him.”

Nevertheless, she’d make sure James couldn’t get his hand on the aphrodisiacs during the party.

The door opened and the children piled in, Meg following with a mound of garments.

“Oh miss,” she said, “your mother is on the stairs. I fear she’s coming this way.”

“W hat’s going on in here?” Lady Neda Loughton opened the door without knocking and stepped into the room.

Nancy hurried to greet her. “Mama, come join us. James, let Mama have that chair.”

James rose from the slipper chair where he was lounging, but their mother waved him back and tousled Mary’s curls as the little girl collided with her leg.

“We’re having a tea party, Grandmama,” Mary said. “You must join us.”

Nancy saw the way her mother surveyed the room. Her gaze stopped on the dressing table and the partially open drawer where they’d hurriedly stored their projects , and on the bed, where the boys, Arthur, Benjamin, and Edward had been reclining before jumping up at her entry.

“Yes, Mama,” Nancy said. “Meg is going down now to fetch a tray.”

Meg turned from the clothes press where she’d just shoved in costumes and dipped a curtsey.

“Fetch an extra cup will you, Meg?” Nancy said. “Edward, please go along and help her.”

“I’ll go as well,” Arthur said.

Benjamin scooted out after them.

“Imagine, Mama,” James said, “my sister, brother, niece, and step-nephews wish to spend time visiting with me. I’m honored.”

Mother’s look was quizzical. “Well, I am glad to hear it.”

She didn’t look glad. She looked suspicious.

“Grandmama.” Mary tugged at Mother’s hand and turned her great blue eyes up to her, batting her lashes. “May we go to the party tonight? I so want to see the costumes and fairy lights.”

Mother’s lips quirked as she stroked the little girl’s golden curls. Mary, like her grandmother and all the Lovelace offspring except George, was fair-haired.

“Will you be good, Mary?” Mother asked.

“Yes.” Mary nodded solemnly. “Oh, yes.”

“And what of you, James and Nancy?”

Nancy’s breath tightened. She knew. Mother always knew. “Of course,” she said.

James held up his hands. “No crossed fingers, Mama. We just want to have fun.”

“And that,” Mother said, “is what I’m afraid of. Do think of your sister Cassandra’s feelings and the Lovelace family name, and make sure your pranks are not too outrageous.” She leaned down and hugged Mary. “I shall leave you to your tea party.”

When the door closed on her, James grinned.

“She didn’t say I couldn’t go to the party,” Mary said, clapping her hands.

“She knows,” Nancy said.

“She only suspects.” James jumped up and went to the dressing table. “Back to work, Puck. We have pranks to prepare.”

Nancy had just finished scraping the rose hips when Meg and the boys returned with a steaming pot and a tray of cakes.

“I’m sorry I took so long,” Meg said. “Miss Cassandra waylaid me to deliver the costumes for his grace and Sir Percy to his grace’s bedchamber.” She wrinkled her nose. “Sir Percy was the only one there, and I’d like to have smacked him the way he flirted with me.”

James frowned. “They’re sharing a bedchamber?”

“It’s only for the dressing up,” Meg said. “Sir Percy isn’t staying the night.”

“Two pompous prigs together,” Nancy murmured.

“No, don’t you see, Nancy? This complicates matters.”

She shared a look with her brother and the maid. The plan had been to intercept Simon’s costume before delivery and put the itching powder into it. But with Cassandra’s interference, and with two men occupying the bedroom, it would be that much more difficult.

“We’ll move Sir Percy somewhere else,” James said.

“There’s no other room free… Wait, I know.

” Nancy grinned. “We’ll move him to your bedchamber.

We’ll send a footman. He doesn’t have to know it’s your room, we’ll just say we moved one of the family members because the duke wished to have his privacy.

” She rubbed her hands together. “Then we just need to find a way to get the duke out of his room so Meg… or you, can add the itching powder.”

“We’ll need at least another hour,” James said. “And as to that… I know how we can bring it about.”