“As you so kindly told your aunt, I have a suitor, so you have nothing to worry about on that account,” I said, firmly enough to end the conversation. We traveled the rest of the way in silence as I stewed over what I should do with Lady Elinor’s intelligence.

Lord Henry had returned while we were out. He, Olive, and Rollo were in the family parlor when we arrived home. Flora burst into the room with uncharacteristic enthusiasm. “Grandfather’s going to give a ball! For all the officers! And I’m to be invited! Please, Henry, say I may go!”

Only after she’d blurted all this did she take in the situation. Henry and Rollo, both with large pink flowers in their lapels, sat on the sofa holding dainty teacups, while Olive wore a flower-bedecked hat and sat on a nearby chair. “We had our own tea party,” Olive announced proudly. Rollo scowled, but Henry looked tired. Wherever he’d been, he hadn’t been resting.

“I can hardly give you permission to attend when you haven’t received an invitation,” Henry said mildly.

Flora swept over to perch on the edge of the sofa next to her uncle. “Oh, but I must go!”

“I want to go to a ball,” Olive said. “I could wear a pretty dress and dance all night.” She sighed wistfully, then turned to her brother and said in a childish imitation of proper ladylike tones, “Would you care for more tea, Lord Roland?”

“No more tea; it’s almost time for dinner,” Lord Henry said. He sent the children up to their rooms, and I moved to go to my own room, but he caught my eye, indicating he wished for me to stay. “How did Flora do?” he asked.

“Very well. Her aunt was pleased. I trust your journey was pleasant?”

“This one wasn’t about pleasure, I’m afraid. But I may have to travel again soon.”

I hoped he would stay home for a few days. When he was away, I had more responsibilities with the children, which complicated my efforts to communicate with the rebels, and I needed to pass on my new information as soon as possible.

In Which I Discover a Dreadful Deception

IN WHICH I DISCOVER A DREADFUL DECEPTION

Much to my surprise, Flora provided the opportunity for me to meet the rebels. The next day at lunch she informed me that she’d heard from Lady Elinor, who had arranged an appointment for me with her modiste that afternoon. “There really is no time to lose,” Flora insisted. “It’s already too late to have a new gown of the finest quality, but in two weeks she can do something for a chaperone that won’t embarrass me.”