“Oh, yes, we’ve economized for the last three years.” Patricia smiled. “We’re all quite used to it, I can assure you.”

“Excellent,” Charlotte responded, her mind busy with ideas and newfound resolutions. In the midst of plans for cutting back on meals and canceling her order for several new bonnets, a bright, shining image came to her mind. She studied it for a moment, pronounced it good, and smiled at her sister-in-law. “I shall start my economies by making a supreme sacrifice. I will inform Batsfoam he is to unhire the maid he hired for me.”

Patricia blinked in surprise. “But you must have a maid! Who will help you dress? Who will do your hair? Who will mend your clothes and take care of them and see that they’re washed and such?”

The image grew brighter in Charlotte’s mind. “I shall take care of my own clothing. Don’t look so shocked, Patricia, I am quite well known for my embroidery, how much different can mending a few tears be than embroidering? Besides, there can’t be much to it. Francesca, my maid in Italy, was always finding time to go out and meet her lover. I imagine a few minutes each morning and night and I shall be perfectly suited.”

“Perhaps so, but what about assistance dressing? You cannot do up all the tapes and buttons yourself.”

Charlotte’s smile deepened until her dimples danced. “My husband shall help me dress and undress. He, after all, is the one who insists on everyone economizing, it’s only right he should do his part by attending to me himself. As for my hair, I shall adopt simpler styles as my cousin Gillian wears. Her husband always seems to approve of her hair despite its unfashionable color. Thus mine should be a great success. Now, tell me, when is Mrs. Whitney due to return from Bath?”

“Saturday, just before the wedding. She is taking the waters for her dyspepsia. She suffers terribly from upsets of an internal nature, and Lady Devonshire assured her that her upsets were quite cured by taking the waters. I do hope they help. Aunt Whitney has been most uncomfortable after dinner.”

“That’s such a shame,” Charlotte said cheerfully. “We shall sorely miss her presence here in these, your precious last few days as an unmarried woman. Indeed, I shall endeavor to fill your time so that you don’t fret over her absence. Do you need help with the wedding?”

“No, Aunt Whitney took care of that before she left for Bath. I have a final fitting today for my wedding gown, and then there is nothing to do until Sunday.”

Charlotte drummed her fingers on the table before rising. “I assume, then, you will not be odverse to helping me with a little project of my own?”

“I would not be adverse in the least to helping you, dear sister-in-law. How can I be of assistance?”

Charlotte took Patricia by the arm and headed toward the kitchen. “You know, of course, that the Duchess of Deal is giving an engagement ball for that pasty-faced daughter of hers whose name I never can remember.”