Page 20 of Just a Little Daring

Evie laughed. “Oh, look. Mr Lane-Fox has made a bid for freedom, and… what is that he’s holding?”

“What happened?” he asked, rather dazed as he returned to Vivien’s side. “I was quietly minding my own business and the next minute… I don’t even know what this is.”

He held up a scarlet knitted object with a deal of frilly blonde lace and gold fringing.

Vivien peered at it with curiosity. “Ugly?” she suggested.

“Oh, is… is it a baby’s bonnet?” Evie said, with sudden inspiration. She took it from Mr Lane-Fox and poked her fingers through two holes. “Perhaps not, unless the baby had horns. Good heavens,” she spluttered, pulling a face.

Vivien smothered a giggle. “I don’t suppose a duke’s granddaughters have much use for knitting. They probably didn’t know whatever it is ought to look like.”

Mr Lane-Fox’s eyes glittered with mirth. “Perhaps you could wear it as a muff?” he suggested, offering the dreadful thing to her.

“Not my colours, sorry. Though I think you could carry it off. It matches your eyes.”

“It’s red, Miss Anson,” he said reproachfully.

Vivien shrugged. “So it is.”

“I see. Like that, is it?” he murmured, offering her his arm.

Vivien pursed her lips, glancing up at him. “You abandoned me on New Year’s Eve and have avoided me ever since. I believe I owe you a little retribution.”

His expression sobered, and he nodded, lowering his voice. “What would you have of me? How can I make amends?”.

“You might explain why you’ve decided not to run away from me today,” she suggested.

“Who says I haven’t?” He quirked one blond eyebrow at her, and Vivien could only laugh.

She tightened her hold on his arm. “Then I shall keep a firm grip upon you, sir.”

“You do that,” he replied, smiling, a soft tone to his voice that made her insides go all fluttery.

“Well, we had better face the hordes and spend some money, or Arabella will be disappointed in us,” Viv said, looking around the bustling room for their best option. “Oh, look, there’s Aggie.”

“Where?” Evie stood on tiptoes and then gave an exclamation of delight as Aggie saw her and ran forward.

“Miss Knight!” Aggie squealed, hugging Evie with such enthusiasm she nearly knocked her flying. Le Comte de Villen, Agatha’s guardian, caught Evie by the elbow, steadying her.

“Alors, Agatha, have a care, child. Poor Miss Knight is only just recovered from her illness. She does not need you throwing her to the floor.”

“Monsieur!” Evie said, still hugging his ward, who was staring up at her with delight. “I did not realise you would be here.”

“Neither did I,” Louis César replied ruefully.

“I made him come,” Aggie said, looking smug. “It took me all morning to persuade him, but I managed it.”

“Persistence always pays,” Vivien agreed, sending Mr Lane-Fox a coquettish glance, which made him laugh.

“And what have you bought, dear?” Evie asked Aggie, who opened a bulging fabric bag to show her treasures. “My, you have been busy.”

“They’re presents for the girls at school,” Aggie said, grinning. “They’ll be ever so pleased, but may we see the monkey now, monsieur?”

“Will I get any peace if I do not agree?” Louis asked mildly.

“No. Not a scrap, sorry,” Aggie said with a heavy sigh.

“I thought not.” His lips twitched a little, but he submitted gracefully, offering his arm to Evie. “Would you accompany us to see the monkey, Miss Knight?”