Page 59 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“Clothing, Your Grace?” Mrs. Redford seemed confused.
“Yes, clothing, Mrs. Redford.” Kenneth clapped his hands. “She desires to go on a walk.”
“Oh!” Mrs. Redford's face lit up like a paper lantern. “A walk!”
“A walk, Mrs. Redford!” Kenneth laughed out heartily and Mrs. Redford shared in his joy for a spell, then she bustled off to attend to Leah.
Kenneth took in a strong smell of the kitchen's workings. He could detect rosemary, and a number of other things that made his mouth water.
“Well done.” He clapped out again for the kitchen staff, and whisked his way back into the main hallway. His mother turned the corner just as he exited and was directly in his path.
“You're awfully glad,” the Duchess mentioned as Kenneth reached her in the hall.
“Why shouldn't I be?” Kenneth responded.
“You have thrown our dinner plans awry.” Juliet said, crossing her arms. “You cannot continue in this fashion. There is an order to things.”
“Can my uncle not stop by for a meal?” Kenneth challenged. “Regardless, you have time to prepare. He insisted he take his own coach, the old crotch. We had a lovely afternoon at the Ten Drums, and I indeed convinced him to accompany me.”
“The Ten Drums?” Juliet goaded. “Business indeed. Your father was the same way. A rather wet lunch, I take it?”
“A fine enough lunch as it were!” Kenneth shot back, growing hot with his mother's attitude. “Now I have an appointment if you would excuse me.”
“An appointment?” his mother looked appalled. “We have set to supper now! You cannot go back to the city!”
“Not the city, Mother, no.” Kenneth threw up his hands in exasperation. “Here.”
“Here?” she asked incredulously. “Who else is arriving?”
“Our guest is well enough to walk, dear Mother.” Kenneth began to walk away. “Lest you had forgotten her. I should like to see a place for her at the table this evening as well.”
“A place at...” his mother fell short as he walked through a door to one of the balconies.
Kenneth had known that all of this would upset his mother, but frankly he didn't much care. He knew that nothing bad could come of anything, and so in his mind there was no harm in letting her ride out whatever bitterness she may hold because of it.
* * *
Leah was honestly a bit confounded by the dress that Mrs. Redford brought for her. It was an elegant thing, clearly made from expensive materials, and there was so much of it. It was everywhere. It was nothing like the simple trousers or wool skirts that Leah would romp through White Chapel in.What on earth do I do with all of this?
Yet she found it elegant. There was something in the way the light streamed in from those great windows and hit across the blue and gold threading.
At first, she had insisted she be left alone to change. However, after a brief time of fussing with the dress and not being able to do the job herself, she had to call on Mrs. Redford. The housekeeper was more than happy to oblige the process.
“Oh, how wonderful you look, darling.” Mrs. Redford exclaimed, fastening up the last of the cords.
“I'm not sure it's me under there.” Leah breathed out, turning to view herself in the mirror. “It's just, so awfully much, isn't it?”
“Oh, not at all.” Mrs. Redford clapped her hands a bit. “Don't you think you look wonderful?”
“I suppose.” Leah continued to admire and scrutinize the dress' workings. “Although it doesn't seem at all practical.”
“Practical for what, dear?” Mrs. Redford looked confused. “That's what a lady is supposed to wear.”
“Not sure I'm a lady,” Leah scoffed.
“Oh, come now.” Mrs. Redford began to steer her towards the door. “Are you going to come downstairs?”
“Yes, here I come.” Leah checked the standing mirror once more. After affirming once more that it was indeed her inside the dress, and not some magical body double, Leah left her room.
