Rebecca cleared her throat. “Well, my lady, if you don’t mind my saying so, I think Mrs. Bramble is getting on in age and might be confused. I honestly haven’t heard any disturbing stories about Sir Richard or the Many Kingdoms from anyone other than Mrs. Bramble herself.” Rebecca looked as if she felt bad for saying so.

Everything was starting to make sense. “I see,” said Lady Tremaine. She realized it was probably best that Mrs. Bramble had left the book of fairy tales with her and wasn’t reading it obsessively.

“I hope I didn’t speak out of turn, my lady,” Rebecca said.

“No, Rebecca, you didn’t. You said exactly what I needed to hear.”

Chapter VI: The Understanding

Ladies Tremaine and Hackle were enjoying some time to themselves away from the other guests in Lady Hackle’s parlor, which was so much grander than her own. With its French doors and its abundance of ferns and exotic flowers, it was almost like a solarium. She thought about how lovely it would be in the future for her and Lady Hackle to be old together, watching their grandchildren run around in this room. Lady Hackle often suggested that Lady Tremaine come live there once their children were married, and if she didn’t like the idea of living in the big house with all of them, she could live in the dowager house if she preferred, since there was no dowager in residence. Lady Tremaine loved the idea and always held it in reserve should she never marry again.

She had a lovely afternoon with her dear old friend while the rest of the guests were taking their leisure in their rooms after the picnic. It was the perfect opportunity for the two ladies to sneak off and chat.

“Won’t the other ladies feel like we’ve left them out?” asked Lady Tremaine, feeling a bit like a naughty schoolgirl and making Lady Hackle laugh.

“Well, we won’t tell the other ladies. Most of them are sleeping anyway. The dressing gong won’t be for ages, so we have all the time in the world to gossip! Don’t get me wrong, I love these gatherings, but sometimes I need a little time to myself. Take it from me, there is nothing like a long afternoon outdoors to make your guests retire to their rooms,” she said, laughing again.

“I want to hear all about your walk with Sir Richard.” Lady Hackle’s eyes were alight, giddy for her friend. “You two seemed so enchanted with each other at the picnic. I didn’t dare come over and interrupt, and the next thing I knew the two of you were gone. I must have all the details.”