“That’s because it is,” Aunt Cat said, following up behind him. She looked as though she’d rolled out of bed and passed through several bushes on the way down—her hair was sticking up at all angles, and she’d missed two buttons on her pyjama top.

“Are you all right?” I enquired, looking at her askance. “What time did you get in last night?”

“No idea,” she responded, pushing me out of the way. “But I’ve not long woken up, and I’m in need of something stronger than tea. Would you like me to make you one?”

“No, thank you,” I said slowly. Unlike her, I was dressed to be seen in public. “I think I’ll drive into the village and stop in the coffee shop for some breakfast.”

“Ooh, would you like some company?”

“No, I have some studying to do.” I collected my laptop from the island where I’d left it last night. “Does anyone need anything while I’m there?”

Arthur cleared his throat. “I don’t like to ask, milady, but since you’re going…”

“Of course, Arthur. What do you need?”

“Would you mind popping into the bakery and picking up the bread order for the week? I usually go into town myself, but of course we have guests, and I need to help prepare the luncheon and make sure the housekeeping staff clean the rooms.”

“No problem at all, it’s only a few stores down from the coffee shop. Will they know what I’m getting? Do you need it back in time for lunch?”

“No, milady, I retrieved that yesterday. This is for your use.” He shifted uncomfortably. “And yes, they know, but they will require payment.”

“That’s fine.” I smiled reassuringly. “As long as they know what I need, or I daresay I’ll end up returning with half their baked goods that will add twenty pounds to my weight by the end of the week.”

“I’ll take a box of eclairs,” Aunt Cat announced. “One of each. I have no qualms about adding a few pounds to me. More of me to love.”

“With the size of your personality, you’ll need more than one person to handle you.”

“That’s rude. Although I do rather enjoy those poly-wolly shows on the television.”

“Polygamy,” I corrected her.

Arthur cleared his throat. “Pierre will be here soon to prepare the luncheon. Not to be rude, Lady Catherine and Lady Gabriella.”

“Of course, I’ll get out of your way.” I hauled my laptop under my arm. “I’ll just put this in a bag and I’ll be off. Let me know if you need something while I’m out.”

“I will,” Aunt Cat said brightly. “Now, Arthur, where are the mugs for this thing? I want a cappuccino, but I couldn’t find a giant in an empty field this morning without my glasses.”

“Of course.”

Poor Arthur.

I had no idea how he put up with us.

I went to my room to retrieve my things. I tucked my laptop into a big enough handbag with my purse, phone, and keys, along with the other essentials like just-in-case sanitary products, a lip balm, a charge cable, a hairbrush, three pens, one pack of chewing gum, a half-empty bottle of water, three hundred receipts from the past two years, four car park tickets, the dried liver of a goat, six crow’s feet, and the blood of a virgin.