Laura smiled at me. “Only if the earl allows it. With all his guest there, shouldn’t you be at Strawberry Hill?”
“Once the conversation starts, they won’t even notice I’m gone. Do you need anything while I’m out?”
Laura chuckled then shook her head. “No, my dear.”
Grabbing my red cape, I slipped it back on then headed to the front.
“Goodbye, Lizzie,” I called. “I’ll be back this afternoon.”
Lizzie, who was helping a customer looking over the selection of baby dolls, waved farewell.
Rushing, I headed back outside.
I pulled on my gloves as I walked, making my way down the lane to Annabeth’s flat once more. I still needed to pick up the gifts for her and her children, but I had one more day. When I reached her door, I knocked.
A few moments later, Annabeth opened the door.
“Oh! Miss Rossetti. Come in.”
“Another time. I must head back to Strawberry Hill, but I have news! Whenever you have a moment, come to Uncle Horace’s house. Ask for Mister Edwards, the butler. We have a position for a maid at the house, and Uncle Horace asked Mister Edwards to meet you.”
“You… You got me a meeting? At Strawberry Hill?”
“Just let Mister Edwards know any experience you have, anything at all. And go at your earliest convenience.”
“Oh, Miss Rossetti,” she said then took my hand. “Bless you, miss. What an angel you are. Bless you!”
“Anyone would do the same,” I said. My heart brimmed with joy to see her so happy. The look of relief was plain on her face. “Now, I must be off. Tell your wee ones hello for me.”
“Of course, of course,” she said, letting me go. “Miss Rossetti, thank you.”
I turned and headed back across town. When I passed the village square, Thomas, the baker’s son, was outside the shop barking to the crowd.
“Plum pudding, gingerbread, fresh-baked biscuits,” he called. Spotting me, he waved. “What do you need today, Miss Rossetti?”
“A plum pudding,” I called back. “Two of them. Save them for me. I’ll be back after luncheon.”
He grinned happily. “As you wish! I’ll tell Papa to save the best for you!”
I waved to him then headed back down the road toward Strawberry Hill. If I hurried, I was going to make it just in time. I was nearly there when I remembered that I hadn’t stopped by the constable. As I passed through the woods, I spotted the merchants’ camp once more. This time, however, they were silent. No one met me by the road. And no one called. A trail of smoke rose from their fire, but there was no sign of the merchants. Hurrying along, I rushed from the woods hoping they wouldn’t spot me.
To my great relief, I didn’t hear the unsettling call of come buy, come buy.
I rushed down the lane at Strawberry Hill. The sound of the bells on the church in town rang nine o’clock just as I neared the front door. Moving quickly, and nearly slipping on the ice on the front stoop, I opened the front door to find one of the footmen, Simpson, just inside.
“Miss Rossetti. Just in time,” he whispered with a grin as he helped me take off my cape. “They just rang.”
I removed my outside wear, pausing to brush off some snow from my hem.
“Mister Edwards left your slippers here,” he said, guiding me to the coatroom. He handed a pair of indoor shoes to me. “No one will ever be the wiser.”
Grinning, I patted the man on the shoulder then slipped on my slippers as I headed toward the parlor. Everyone was still gathering before going in for morning meal. I scanned the room for Archie. The Boatswains had not come down yet.
I went to Uncle Horace who was surrounded by his guests.
“Good morning, Uncle,” I said, kissing him on the cheek.
“Why Scarlette, your nose is cold again,” he said with a laugh.
“Is it? How odd.”
Uncle Horace laughed. “I don’t know what your father is going to do with you. He won’t be able to get you to leave Twickenham.”
“I guess I’ll just have to stay here with you.”
“You are always welcome, my dear.”
A moment later, Archie and his grandfather arrived.
Archie spotted me from across the room. He inclined his head to me.
I gave him a little wave.
Mister Edwards, who was waiting on the other side of the room, gave the pair a moment to say their hellos before he rang for breakfast.
Taking my arm as we went to the dining room, Uncle Horace leaned into my ear and said, “The Boatswains inquired about you.”
“Inquired? About what?”
“If you were spoken for.”
“Oh,” I said, my heart fluttering.
“Seems young Archibald is quite taken,” Uncle Horace said. “I’ll discuss the matter more when you father arrives, but I don’t see any barriers. Do you really share a mutual admiration, as young Boatswain called it?”
I chuckled. “Admiration? Well,” I said, looking over my shoulder at Archie. “Yes.”
“Very good, very good. Maybe now I’ll be able to keep you at Strawberry Hill for more than an hour at a time,” he said with a laugh.
We entered the dining room where the footmen directed us to our seats. Rather than sitting me next to Uncle Horace per usual, a footman guided me to sit at the other end of the table beside Master Boatswain, Senior, across from Archie.
“Miss Rossetti,” Master Boatswain said. “Good morning.”
“And to you, Master Boatswain.”
“So, where were you off to so early?” Archie asked as we settled in.
“Off? Off where?” I asked innocently.
“I went to the library to see if you were awake and found your gnomes missing.”
“Oh. Well…” I said then grinned. No use in lying. “I took them to the village this morning and completed the work on the pianist.”
“We must make a stop by these fine sisters’ shop before we leave Twickenham,” Master Boatswain told his grandson who nodded.
“They are the kindest women I’ve ever met. But if you go into town, be cautious. There are merchants camped in the woods between here and there. An odd looking bunch.”
“Merchants?” Master Boatswain asked.
I nodded. “A traveling troupe. Not dangerous, I don’t think. Just a bit…insistent. And a little strange.”
“Strange how?” Archie asked.
“I don’t know. Their dress. Their manner. I’m not sure, really. They’re just…odd.”
Master Boatswain frowned. “Master Montgomery,” he called to a gentleman sitting not far away. “Are you aware of any traveling merchants in these parts?”
I looked at Master Montgomery. He was a well-dressed man who worked in London. What his profession was, I was unsure, but he often came to Strawberry Hill to consult Uncle Horace. I believed he and my uncle belonged to some sort of club. Master Montgomery and a number of others who visited Strawberry Hill—both at the current gathering and in the past—all wore the same pin on their lapels: the letters R.M. encapsulated in a circle. Even my father had such a pin stashed away amongst his trousseau at home. Now that I thought about it, both Archie and Master Boatswain wore similar pins.
Master Montgomery frowned. “Such merchants are seen in these parts from time to time. Has there been a sighting?”
Master Boatswain turned to me.
“I…I encountered them on the road the last two days. They’re camped in the forest not far from here.”
Master Montgomery turned to one of the women in their company, Mistress Quickly. “Did you hear?” he asked her.
Mistress Quickly nodded. I’d never had a chance to speak to her, but Mistress Quickly had come to Strawberry Hill once or twice before. I liked her manner. She always wore leather trousers under a modified gown, lace-up boots, and a dagger on her belt. She was a reserved woman, and like all of Uncle Horace’s friends, she was peculiar. “I’ll see to it, sir,” she told Master Montgomery.