She quickly donned the heavy cape, pulled the hood over her head, and hooked her pelisse over her wrist. Then, clutching the gift to her chest, Lisa hurried to the French doors and peered out. The parlor overlooked the side yard of the house. As far as she could see, there was no one about.

She didn’t hesitate, but eased herself through the French doors and moved quickly toward the front, silently praying that no carriages would arrive with unexpected guests, or her brother-in-law, Richard, returning from his tailors. She was also hoping that there would be no reason for any of the servants to suddenly look out the front door or one of the front windows and spy her escape. Lisa didn’t look around to be sure she wasn’t seen, half suspicious that by doing so she would draw someone to a window, so hurried forward with her head firmly straight ahead.

When she reached the front gate and slipped out without anyone coming out of the house or arriving to stop her, Lisa thought she was home free. However, when she turned from pulling the front gate closed, and started to bustle up the walk, she came to an abrupt halt as her maid, Bet, suddenly stepped out of the bushes to confront her.

“I knew you were up to something when I saw you sneaking about the house this morning,” Bet said with satisfaction. Her freckled face and stance were triumphant, her legs slightly parted, arms crossed over her chest, and one eyebrow arched. “Now, what are you about, my lady?”

“Oh, Bet, you gave me quite a fright,” Lisa said placing a hand to her chest. “Whatever are you doing creeping about out here?”

“Never mind that. What are you doing creeping about out here?” Bet asked pointedly.

Lisa grimaced at the question and then straightened her shoulders and lifted her head to say sternly, or as sternly as she could ever be with Bet, who was as much a friend as a maid, “It really isn’t your place to ask things like that, Bet. I am your mistress.” Some of her bravado wilted under Bet’s narrowing eyes, but Lisa forced herself to continue firmly. “Now I suggest you return to the house and see to preparing my gown for tonight.”

“Certainly,” the maid said pertly. “And I’ll just mention to Handers that you left the house all by yourself without a maid to accompany you, shall I?”

Lisa’s eyes narrowed at the mention of Richard and Christiana’s new butler. Handers was a dear, but he would pass the information on to Richard the moment he returned. Scowling, she said, “You wouldn’t.”

“I would,” Bet assured her firmly, and then raised an eyebrow and added persuasively, “Unless of course you want me to accompany you. Then I couldn’t tell anyone. And it would be all well and proper.”