Page 38 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
Even Ivy grew animated, her green eyes shining. “Yes, do tell.”
Lucy related the entire story, relishing their rapt attention and joyful engagement.
“I wish I could’ve seen it,” Ivy said. “I think I need to start dressing up as a man.”
Lucy laughed. “The trousers are quite liberating.”
Aquilla swung her head toward Ivy, grinning. “Can you imagine what Lady Dunn would say?”
Ivy laughed. “She couldn’t know!” She looked at Lucy. “Just as your grandmother doesn’t know?”
Lucy nodded. “Yes, which is why secrecy is important.”
Ivy picked up a cake from her plate. “But how will you explain the fact that you have enough to retire with her?”
“I’ve given this plenty of thought, and I plan to tell her that I made an investment last year and that it paid well. She won’t ask for specifics.”
Ivy swallowed her bite. “That could work.”
Time to broach the reason she’d invited them today. “I find I am in need of assistance with another aspect. It’s easy for me to sneak out after Grandmama has retired for the night. However, tomorrow I am going to attend phaeton races in the park at nine o’clock. Grandmama will still be abed, but I don’t want to be seen leaving the house as a man. Furthermore, I need to have a reason for not being here should she realize my absence.”
“That last part is simple,” Aquilla said. “You’re spending the day with me. Shopping, visiting the museum, whatever you decide.”
Lucy had hoped she would offer just that. “Thank you.”
Ivy cocked her head to the side. “How elaborate is your disguise?”
“There’s the padding underneath the clothes, and my maid helps me stick sideburns along my upper jaw, here.” She indicated where the hair was affixed. Her skin was still a bit tender from wearing it two nights ago, and for that reason alone, she looked forward to not having to do it anymore.
“Ingenious,” Ivy breathed. “Could you dress inside a coach?”
Lucy pondered this idea. “It would be difficult. And what would the coachman say if I entered as a woman and left as a man?”
“If you had others with you, he may not notice, but that would require you to take an entourage.”
“I volunteer!” Aquilla offered cheerily.
Lucy contemplated donning the necessary padding and trying to pull on the breeches in the confines of a coach and decided it would be more trouble than she wanted to bear, if possible. This gave her another idea—she’d be donning a new costume for a daytime excursion and perhaps Judith could stitch the padding into the coat. She’d discuss it with her. “I think it would be far easier if I went somewhere and dressed, then left from there.”
“Actually, I believe you’re overthinking this,” Ivy said. “You aren’t going to be doing this regularly. You simply need to leave the house when there is no one on the street—have your maid look out for you.”
Aquilla nodded. “I agree. Just walk to the corner where I’ll have Lady Satterfield’s coach waiting for you. Your maid can let the rest of the staff know that you are out—with me.”
Lucy was hesitant. She looked from Aquilla to Ivy and back to Aquilla again. “You think it will work?”
“It should,” Aquilla said.
Ivy shrugged. “The key is to keep an eye out before you leave, and not to do this overly much. How long do you plan to keep up this charade?”
“A couple more weeks should do it. Maybe less. On Saturday, I need to find my way to Kent, where I could potentially win enough money to put an end to this.”
Aquilla’s eyes grew wide. “Kent? What’s going on there?”
“Dartford is ascending in a balloon from Burlington House and plans to descend at his house in Kent. His friends are going to surprise him there—you must keep this part secret.”
Ivy interrupted her with a wry look. “Every bit of this must be kept secret.”
Lucy grinned. “Well, yes. Anyway, they’re going to surprise him and there will be extensive wagering on where he lands. Whoever comes closest to the actual location will win the pot.”
