Page 44 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“I’ll hold you to it.” Mrs. Tuttle’s stern expression eased, the thin line of her mouth relaxing. “You’re not like the others, Mr. Caldwell. Not like those dukes and barons and whatever they like to call themselves, with their noses high in the air, sniffing around for every pence they might get out of Miss Macie’s father. She knows how to send those rotters scurrying away. But you... I’m not so sure she knows how to protect herself from the likes of you.”
Chapter Fourteen
An invitation tothe Countess of Fenwick’s costume ball was a sure sign they had made a mark in London society. Or so Nell insisted, even as Macie massaged her temples against a sudden megrim.
“I do wish I shared your enthusiasm,” Macie said, gently pressing her fingertips to the spots that seemed to throb with her friend’s every word.
“You’ll have a grand time,” Nell assured her. “I have a fitting for my costume this afternoon. I trust you will come along to put the final touches on your ensemble.”
Macie shook her head. “I am taking my camera to the manor today.”
Nell looked shocked. “But your costume?”
“Madame Lorette sent word that the seamstress has completed her work. I expect she will deliver it within a day or so.”
“I suppose there’s not much to be done to a gown modeled after a medieval tunic.”
Macie grinned at the thought of arriving at the countess’s elite ball garbed as a female incarnation of Friar Tuck. Wouldn’t that have made the biddies’ tongues cluck? Pity she’d had a rather practical change of heart. “I’ve rethought my ensemble.”
Standing suddenly still by the parlor table, Mrs. Tuttle looked up as her feather duster stopped its energetic sweeps of a lamp’s stained glass shade. Macie bit back a smile. Thehousekeeper had certainly become adept at timing her tasks to coincide with a conversation she wished to hear.
The door chimes sounded, announcing a visitor. A soft mumble of annoyance escaped Mrs. Tuttle, followed by an unsubtle comment. “He’s back so soon?”
“Until you answer the door, we won’t be certain,” Macie said lightly. “If Mr. Caldwell has returned, please show him in.”
“Your brother should’ve employed a real bodyguard,” Mrs. Tuttle grumbled as the chimes rang out again. “Not that rogue.”
“I am quite sure Mr. Caldwell’s defensive skills will suffice.”
“It’s not the man’sdefensive skillsthat worry me.” With that, Mrs. Tuttle hurried out of the room.
Nell’s gaze trailed the housekeeper’s path, then leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Has she always been so cross?”
“Mrs. Tuttle has a heart of gold, but she detests any disruption to her routine.”
“I don’t think that’s the problem, Macie. Not in this case.”
“You may be right,” she said as Finn’s voice drifted down the corridor. “She tends to be rather protective of me.”
“And with good cause.” Nell took another sip from the delicate cup. “So, what have you settled on for your costume? Please tell me you are not dressing as Robin Hood.”
“Nothing of the sort. I’ve decided to be a bit more, shall we say, conventional.”
“Thank heaven.” Nell appeared to let out a sigh of actual relief. “The very idea of you carrying a quiver of arrows—even if they aren’t real—gives me pause.”
Macie’s attention was drawn to the doorway as Mrs. Tuttle returned. The older woman’s expression brightened. “I must say, that’s a relief.”
“And what might that be?” Macie said, allowing a bit of teasing into her tone.
“You know what I’m talking about,” Mrs. Tuttle said. “After the incident with your sword last year, I shudder to think what nature of trouble you’d stir up with a bow and arrow within reach.”
“Sword?” Finn’s eyes crinkled with amusement as he strolled into the parlor. “Arrows? Good God, the very thought of those in your hands is enough to send a man running.”
Macie shrugged. “Isn’t that the idea?”
His brows rose. “Should I take cover?”
“Not yet.” She smiled. “I assure you, you will know if it’s necessary.”
