Page 45 of Miss Dashing
“Not here,” Papa said, striding off into the garden and leaving Hecate to trundle after. Phillip had lingered close enough to watch that rudeness, but he said nothing as Boots Corviser came up on his left and clapped him on the shoulder.
Papa kept marching until he was well past the center of the garden, then wheeled on Hecate. “I hope you know you are making your usual hash of this gathering. I spent a fortune on finishing governesses and deportment instructors, and you still can’t manage to house guests in a manner consistent with their stations. The kitchen isn’t doing half justice to the occasion, and Nunn is no sort of host.”
I’ve missed you too.Hecate had been biting back such retorts since before she’d put up her hair. With Mama’s death, Papa had become meaner, more impatient… but that’s when he’d realized that he’d never get his hands on Mama’s money.
“I will leave it to you to brace Nunn on his failings,” Hecate said. “If you’d like to look over the menus and suggest alterations, I will relay them to Cook.”
“While you expect me to content myself in a room under the eaves. Good God, Hecate, it’s only to be expected that no man would have you for a wife.”
Many men would have had Hecate for a wife, provided they’d had her fortune to waste on their idle pleasures. As a footman came by to light the nearest torch, Hecate realized she’d never once worried that Phillip would try to touch her money.
And she was very much looking forward to the next time he touchedher.
“I have subjected myself to this farce of a gathering for one reason,” Papa said. “Nunn has received word that your cousin Johnny is on his way back from Canada. Johnny will in all likelihood begin his visit here at the family seat, greeting the earl before he makes the usual round in Town and at Horse Guards. You will welcome your cousin with open arms.”
Cousin Johnny was returning from Canada.
Hecate mentally rummaged around for a reaction, and all she came up with was:The best rooms are taken, but Phillip will happily give up his quarters and sleep in the summer cottage if I ask it of him. Then Papa will pout about Johnny getting a better apartment than I can offer Papa. Perhaps Phillip and Mr. DeWitt won’t mind removing to the summer cottage together.
“I will be very pleased to see Cousin Johnny,” Hecate said. “He’s doubtless bringing all manner of tales home with him from Canada, and we’ve all missed him.”
Hecate had stopped missing Johnny within a year of his departure. She’d been too busy fending off the family’s attempts to pillage her fortune, and by then, she’d realized not to expect any letters from the gallant soldier.
Even Uncle Frank wrote to her occasionally, cheerful travelogues always postscripted by a request for money.
“Edna might be thinking of pairing Johnny with one of her girls,” Papa said. “I’ll not have it. He’d be a first cousin to either of them, and I do not approve of first cousins marrying.”
And Papa’s myriad disapprovals should carry the weight of royal decrees.
“I truly appreciate your warning me of Johnny’s possible arrival. That gives me an excuse to rearrange rooms and guests and to put you in more commodious quarters. Did Nunn give you any idea when Johnny might appear?”
“I gather, given the vagaries of ocean travel and the Canadian mail service, he might grace us with his presence any day. You will see to the practicalities with all possible haste, Hecate. I won’t have one of our own made to loiter in the parlor while the maids dust off the governess’s old bedroom.”
The nursery suite was actually spacious and comfortable, if one didn’t mind two screaming little boys thundering about.
“I will alert the staff first thing tomorrow, Papa. Was there anything else?”
“Which of Edna’s little harpies has set her cap for the courtesy lout? The sheep are fatter here in Hampshire. Did you know that, Hecate?”
“I believe Portia is making an effort in Lord Phillip’s direction, when she isn’t flirting with the Corviser brothers or trying to distract Mr. DeWitt from admiring Flavia’s charms.”
Papa shot his lacy cuffs. “DeWitt’s the good-looking devil with all the money?”
“He is wealthy and charming, and he’s here at Lord Phillip’s request.”
“A bear leader by any other name. I suppose Edna put together this gathering because her girls once again failed to inspire any proposals. Always a pity, when a young lady has no suitors.”
Years ago, Papa’s barb would have landed close to Hecate’s heart, or to her dignity. Now, she found it easier to ignore him—mostly.
“I put together this gathering at Edna’s request,” Hecate said. “In years past, Cousin Charles dealt very shabbily with the current Marquess of Tavistock’s new marchioness. Charles sought to mend fences by extending hospitality to Lord Phillip, who is heir presumptive to the marquessate.”
“And Lord Phillip could probably advise Charlie on the specifics of mending fences right down to the placement of the posts and rails. The aristocracy never ceases to appall. You will situate Johnny handsomely and do all in your power to make him welcome.”
“Of course.”
“Then I’m off to content myself with the meager fare on offer at yonder buffet. If you can get Edna’s girls matched up with DeWitt and Lord Lout, I might count myself amazed.”
He sauntered off, an aging roué in better trim than most of his ilk. Hecate sank onto the nearest bench and tried counting to ten in German. She made it to one hundred before she’d gained a measure of calm.
