Page 74 of The Best of Friends
“I know he has a fearsome reputation, and he earned it in many ways, but he was raised by a man who was unwavering in his conviction that a true gentleman does all he can to help people in need. My husband will not onlynotbe frustrated with your arrival here, but he will also insist on providing whatever assistance he can in whatever the matter is.”
For the first time since Mother had mentioned the matter of a coat, Daria felt less panic-stricken. She had indeed come to the right place and, in doing so, had at least some chance of staying as far from Great-Aunt Theodosia as possible.
Chapter Twenty-nine
“Again, I must ask whyyou are not considering taking up the highwayman’s trade?” Charlie sat slouched on a chair in the Falstone House music room, where all their group had gathered for the morning. “You’d be spectacular.”
“And your brother would disapprove,” Fennel added, “which would help us emerge victorious in your game with Daria.”
“I think I’ve earned more than a few points for leaving Laurence’s home for good,” Toss said.
“I thought the rules didn’t allow for multiple points in exchange for a single act, no matter how rebellious.” Duke had an excellent sense of humor, but his character tended toward practicality over ridiculousness.
“All things considered,” Colm said, “it might be time for a renegotiation.”
“Perhaps, but it isdecidedlytime for a renaming.” Toss wasn’t overly keen to discuss his flight from home at too much depth. They all knew he’d been given refuge here at Falstone House and that his entire future was now in question. That seemed enough for the moment. “The Huntresses will hold it over our heads forever if we don’t have a group name of our own.”
“Can we make that decision without Newton or Scott here?” Fennel asked. “They would certainly have opinions.”
“They should have thought of that before leaving the lot of us alone unsupervised.” Charlie’s overly stern declaration made them all laugh.
“What about ‘the Hunters’?” Tobias suggested.
“Our ladies would object, I haven’t a doubt,” Charlie said. “Though they did find it rather entertaining when we referred to ourselves as ‘the Whippers-In’ at the Debenhams’ ball.”
Toss thought that an apt description since hunters were assisted by whippers-in and those of their group who were married to a Huntress very much filled that role during the ladies’ annual arrival in Society.
“I would humbly submit the idea ‘Poppy and the Poppers.’” Fennel managed a serious expression for all of two seconds. One of his nicknames was Poppy.
“‘Newton and the Newts,’” Colm suggested.
“Six Englishmen and an American,” Tobias tossed out. “A mouthful, yes, but very specific.”
“And, unfortunately, inaccurate,” Colm said. “Duke’s family, after all, are Irishand have been for generations.”
“Truly?” Tobias looked surprised. “How did you know that?”
Colm and Duke shrugged in near unison. “We’re cousins.”
That deviated the conversation for some time as the connection between the two of them was laid out. Colm’s mother and Duke’s father were siblings. When pressed as to why they’d not mentioned the relationship immediately, both gentlemen clammed up.
In the awkward silence that followed, Charlie very suddenly sat up, eyes a bit wide, excitement writ on his face. “I have the perfect name. Utterly and completely perfect.”
“Do tell.” Fennel watched him with a smile.
Toss nodded his encouragement as well.
“Playing off the Huntresses’ name but without stealing their identity nor placing ourselves in the permanent role of assistants...” Charlie watched them all in turn, clearly enjoying the building tension. “What about ‘the Pack’?”
The Pack.“As in a pack of hunting dogs?” Toss asked.
Charlie nodded. “And a pack of friends, a pack of characters—”
“A pack of cards,” Colm said.
“A pack of lies,” Tobias added, setting them all to laughing.
“I like it,” Fennel said. “The Pack.” He nodded again.
