Page 54 of Rogue’s Holiday

“And what did ye see?” inquired Duffy, running his fingers through his red hair. The man’s hair had always been a concern to Augie; it didn’t blend well with the rest of the guvnor’s men who could melt into a crowd in a moment. His concern had grown when Duffy returned one afternoon with a tale of being followed.

“Powell and the chit were close as two peas in a pod, sneakin’ looks at each other while the parson was speakin’. She’s the one, all right.”

Pete sneered, a nasty flicker in his dark eyes. “We’ll have to be watchin’ for a chance to nab her.” Augie stared at the man, who concerned him as much as Duffy. He didn’t trust Pete to follow orders. Somewhere he had a screw loose.

“We’ll not touch her until Ings is here,” Augie said in a tone that brooked no dissent.

“I see the two of you have received several invitations from gentlemen of good report with whom you might attend the king’s Fancy Ball,” Aunt Agatha said excitedly. “I shall act as chaperone, of course. So, who will be the fortunate men?”

Chastity shuffled through the messages Featherstone had handed her on the salver. “Alvanley, Cairo, some gentleman I barely recall from the reception and then there is this one, Rose. An invitation for the two of us to attend with Sir Robert and M’sieur Donet.”

“I, too, have a collection of gentlemen offering to escort me,” said Rose, looking up from the pile in her lap with a happy expression. “All are gentlemen I met at your reception, Lady Sanborn. While I would be please to attend with any of them, I would prefer to go with Chas.”

“Then the decision is made, yes?” Aunt Agatha lifted her brows as she faced them.

Chastity could not deny Rose a chance to spend the evening with a very fine suitor like the vicomte, especially when she herself had looked with favor on the invitation from Sir Robert. “Very well. I agree.”

“Now that you have decided on your escorts, you must consider costumes. Having been to His Majesty’s Fancy Balls before, I can tell you all manner of beings will populate the Music Room, so you have many ideas to choose from. If gowns from an earlier age appeal, the attic holds many.”

“What fun!” exclaimed Rose. “I love looking through clothes from the time when ladies dressed in elaborate fashion.”

“Not me,” said Chastity with a grin. “I’ve an idea to wear a sheet.”

“A bed-sheet?” inquired Rose, incredulous.

“My dear great-niece, whatever is your intention?”

“I would dress as a Grecian goddess.” Seeing their confused expressions, she explained, “Oh, I shall be fully clothed in a white gown, a toga, I think they are called.”

“That was the dress of the Roman men, dear,” said Aunt Agatha.

“Well, you know what I mean,” said Chastity, “and I’d add a golden shawl.”

“You can adapt a toga-like gown to your purpose,” said Aunt Agatha. “And we can do better than a bed-sheet. Such a simple style can be made in a few days. We will go to my favorite dressmaker and see about it. And for you, Rose, a trip to the attic is in order. You will look lovely in a silk brocade gown I had made a score of years ago. It was the earl’s favorite and very lavish. I think it just may fit you as I was considerably more slender then.”

That afternoon, after a visit to the dressmaker and an excursion to the attic with Aunt Agatha and Rose, Chastity sat down to write polite rejections to the invitations she had received, all except for the one from Sir Robert and M’sieur Donet.

Sir Robert, Monsieur Donet,

My dear friend, Miss Crockett, and my great-aunt, Lady Sanborn, and I are pleased to accept your kind invitation to accompany you to His Majesty’s Fancy Ball. In truth, we quite look forward to it and are planning our costumes!

Sincerely yours,

Chastity Reynolds

Robbie smiled at the note and looked up to meet Jack’s inquisitive gaze. “I daresay we were lucky to be the ones they accepted. I know for a fact Alvanley was hoping to take Miss Reynolds. But since each of the two young women needs a chaperone and there is only Lady Sanborn, our invitation to them both had an advantage.”

“Except for Cairo, who must have sent them an invitation as well. Since he will most certainly be attending with Sir Bellingham and his wife, Lady Graham, there is a chaperone in that group.”

“So there is. Yet still we prevailed. Obviously, Miss Reynolds is coming to see the wisdom of my suit.”

“Is that what it is? I rather thought you and she were at odds most of the time.”

“She resists my charm, ’tis true, but she is not indifferent to me. It’s just that she finds it easier to speak of my faults rather than to admit a growing fondness for one she believes to be a rake. Only consider her cat, who now welcomes me with contented purring. Miss Reynolds, too, will come to see she is fated to love me.”

“Love?” Jack coughed a laugh. “I wish you well with that venture, Nephew, though I have my doubts. Meanwhile, what costume will you be wearing for the king’s ball?”

“Whatever we choose, the costumes must allow for weapons. I am not at all sanguine that only the king’s guests will attend. Such an event is likely to attract the men who mean me harm. I thought of a pasha, complete with turban and bejeweled sword. I expect there is such a costume to be had in Brighton where masked balls occur fairly often, but it might prove cumbersome. Then another thought came to me…from the fairy tale I told you about. Why not a bear?”