Propriety and Piquet by Corrie Garrett

Author:Corrie Garrett [Garrett, Corrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lanmon Books
Published: 2023-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

Feeling increasingly pressed for time, Richard decided to search among Sir Walter’s things next.

This presented a challenge. Sir Walter didn’t have a simple bachelor’s flat. His townhouse also served as a home for his three daughters, Caroline Bingley, and at least five servants. Per Richard’s young informant, Master Jack, they had two maids, a valet, a butler, and a cook. There was also a footman they’d hired here in Bath, but thankfully he did not reside there.

There was never a time when the house would be empty. Therefore, coming in at night or pilfering a key was out of the question. It would look far more like housebreaking.

He had tried several times to find the moment he was looking for, and he finally had luck on Thursday evening.

It was perfect, for Richard was shown into their drawing room just as Sir Walter and Caroline and Elizabeth were on the point of going out. Anne and Mary were already at the Assembly Rooms with Mr. Elliot, so this was the last of the family.

Sir Walter apologized that they could not stay. He was already finishing his last check of himself in the mirror. Elizabeth and Caroline wore striking plum-colored evening dresses that contrasted with their bright hair. They matched like two dolls.

“Do you like the girls’ dresses?” Sir Walter asked. “I like to think I have a very fine eye for fashion and color. It’s not every gentleman who does so. I told the dressmaker, ‘I must have these! They are perfect for my daughter and her friend.’”

Caroline did not look quite as pleased as Sir Walter seemed to imply, but she smiled, nonetheless. “It was too kind, Sir Walter.”

“It is a shame you both look so lovely only to waste it on my friend Brunston. He is a bracket-faced fellow; we shall dine with him after the concert. He looks well enough from the front, but if you catch him from the side, he’s a regular paper cartoon.”

Caroline laughed and shook her head. “You are too severe on other gentlemen, sir. Not the best elixir in the world can fix a profile.”

Richard curled his lip at Caroline’s flattery of the old man, but at least they were going.

Sir Walter looked away from the mirror. “Speaking of profiles, yours is not bad, Colonel. You should have a silhouette taken.”

“I’ll keep it in mind. But you have plans, please don’t let me detain you!”

The butler held a great coat while Sir Walter shrugged into it. The girls donned their pelisses, scarves, and hats.

“Let me hold the door for you! I’ll follow you down.”

As Richard held the wooden door and allowed Sir Walter and Elizabeth and Caroline to pass in front of him, he put his hand on the door frame and stuffed a small scrap of paper, neatly folded, into the latch of the door. Bertie had watched him practice on the door frame in his own rooms. He was critical of Richard’s sleight-of-hand, but he had eventually announced him proficient enough.

Richard pulled the door firmly as he didn’t want it to swing back and give the game away to the butler.

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