Chapter Twelve

A llegra and Lyric joined the other ladies who gathered in the foyer. They had all decided to walk down to the lake together for this afternoon's picnic.

"I saw servants carting tables and chairs to the lake from my window," Lady Lida said, her hand about that of Lady Viola's.

Allegra thought it significant that Lord Motley had asked if he could have his daughter at the picnic—and that Lady Lida was the one who had retrieved the girl from the nursery and would now hold her hand the entire way there.

"Tarts!" the young girl declared with glee.

Lady Lida knelt. "Yes, my little love. There will be plenty of tarts at the picnic. I already checked with Cook, and she has made certain that you will have some."

Allegra and Lyric exchanged glances, and her twin said, "That was most thoughtful of you to speak with Cook to ensure tarts would be baked, Lady Lida."

Rising, Lady Lida said, "It is the least I can do. Lady Viola has a bit of a sweet tooth. I wanted her to enjoy the picnic."

"Rowboat," the girl said brightly.

Lady Lida stroked the young girl's hair and gave her a fond smile. "Yes, your papa is going to take us out on the water in a rowboat." She turned to the others and explained, "We have been talking of the lake and boats when we have played in the nursery."

Allegra knew Lady Lida accepted Lord Motley's daughter fully and would be a good mother to her and the other children they would have together. She only wondered when the betrothal announcement would be made as she saw Lady Crowell smile at her only child.

Aunt Dinah and Sophie were the last of the women to arrive. James was with them.

Her aunt said, "We are going to walk to the lake now. Their Graces will be taking a cart part of the way."

"Would anyone wish to go with us?" James asked.

"I would," the elder Miss Bancroft said.

Though she did not think the woman infirm in the slightest, she had detected a pretentious air about Miss Bancroft, and thought she merely did so in order to later have a story to share about the time she rode to a picnic with a duke and duchess.

The trio left for the waiting cart, and the rest of the party set out for the lake. Allegra noted the colorful parasols on display and complimented Miss Bancroft on her violet one.

Miss Markle asked, "Do you use the lake very often? I have always enjoyed the peace of sitting by the water."

She said, "Our cousin Pippa is the one who is most fond of the lake. She has fished in it for many years, as well as walking and riding the entire circumference."

"Fishing?" Miss Bancroft asked. "I have never done any of that."

"I have asked for rods to be brought to the lake," Aunt Dinah informed them. "Why, you should give it a try, Miss Bancroft. Perhaps Lord Tillings might be willing to demonstrate to you how it is done."

Miss Bancroft turned a bright scarlet, and everyone laughed merrily. Allegra was glad to see the young woman knew the laughter was in fun. She feared the wallflower had had her share of cruel jokes during her Seasons.

"The viscount is well-versed in many things," Miss Bancroft said. "I will see if he might teach me how to fish."

"Pippa used to fish with Viscount Hopewell," Lyric told the group. "She and Lord Hopewell were great friends for many years. It was almost as if she were a ward to him. Then when he passed, his heir came to Hopewood." Her twin smiled. "And not soon after, Pippa became Lady Hopewell."

"Someone mentioned that they are touring the world for their honeymoon?" Lady Crowell asked.

"Yes," Allegra replied. "Viscount Hopewell was a sea captain before he inherited his title. Pippa always has longed for adventure. They will be gone close to two years."

Lady Crowell patted Aunt Dinah on the back. "That must be very hard for you, Mrs. Andrews, having your girl gone for so long. And your other daughter is honeymooning in Scotland, I take it."

Aunt Dinah nodded. "Yes, Georgina and Lord Edgethorne went to his country home, Edgefield, for a few days after the wedding. Then they made their way up to Scotland, to a property left to the marquess by his mother. Neither had been to Scotland before, but from what Georgina writes, the Scottish Lowlands are the most beautiful place on earth."

"When will they return?" Miss Bancroft asked.

"Soon, I hope," Aunt Dinah said. "I expect, from what she writes to the family, that they will be home within the next two weeks."

"Oh, I wish they would arrive before the house party ends," Miss Bancroft exclaimed. "Lady Georgina became a good friend to me during this last Season. I was so happy when she and Lord Edgethorne decided to wed."

They arrived at the lake, and Allegra saw that a canopy had been set up, protecting two long tables of food from the plentiful sunshine. She also saw several tables with accompanying chairs had been placed on the wide path, while several blankets were strewn about the grass close to the water. The gentlemen were huddled in two groups, and she noted Lord Carroll had actually deigned to make this event after skipping out on tea and charades yesterday. He spoke with Lord Blankenship and Lord Tillings.

She headed to the table where James was seating Sophie and asked, "Was the cart too bumpy for you?"

"A bit," Sophie admitted. "I was not going to miss this, however. I have never attended a picnic before, and I have been looking forward to it."

Captain Andrews joined them. "I have not been on a picnic myself, Your Grace. It was the only thing that got me out of bed this morning."

Allegra caught the innuendo in his tone and saw Aunt Dinah blush furiously. She wondered if the couple might try for a babe and hoped they would. She would love to have a little cousin to fuss over.

"Have a seat, love," the captain said, pulling out a chair for Aunt Dinah. "You two can keep one another company while His Grace and I fix plates for all of us."

She glanced about, seeing Lord Carroll still standing with the other gentlemen. She would keep her eye out for where he went. If he took a seat at a table, she would sit on a blanket. If he chose a blanket, then it would be a table for her. She had no plans to be in his vicinity, much less have to make small talk with him.

"I will go with you, Captain," Allegra said, slipping her hand through his arm.

They headed toward where the food was displayed, but he steered her away from it and the others.

"Dinah told me you've had a bit of trouble with Lord Carroll."

She bit her lip. "That is certainly one way of putting it."

"Do you want me to kick his arse for you?"

She burst out laughing. "Actually, if that is done, I think I would take the greatest pleasure in doing so myself."

"He's a fool," the captain said, shaking his head. "That Lord Blankenship, as well. You girls are incredible women. If these so-called gentlemen are too blind to see it, then they are not good enough for you."

"We are trying to tell ourselves that," Allegra said lightly.

"If you need anything of me, you know you only have to ask," he told her.

"I do know, and I thank you for it." She went up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

They returned to where the other guests were placing food on their plates. Allegra took a bit of the roasted chicken and a healthy portion of the salmagundy.

"What is that?" the captain asked.

"It is salmagundy, a very popular picnic item. It uses either the white meat of turkey or chicken. I see Cook has sliced chicken for us today. It also contains cucumbers, hard boiled eggs, pickled red cabbage, and beetroot. Oh, yes, I also see some cooked ham. It's been cut into strips."

"You will like it, Captain," Lyric said from his other side. "I planted and harvested the cucumbers myself."

"Then I simply must taste it," he said, piling salmagundy high on his plate and placing some on another plate for his wife.

Allegra also took a few pieces of sliced fruit and sprinkled nuts over them, as well as accepting bread with jam and butter already spread on it by a footman who was helping serve the guests. She finished filling her plate with salad, thinking she would come back for dessert.

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Lord Carroll standing at the end, plate in hand. Since he hadn't taken a seat, she couldn't. That caused her to accompany Captain Andrews and James back to their table. She watched them seat themselves.

"Is there anything else I might get for the four of you?" she asked.

"No, thank you, Allegra," James replied. "Go and have some fun with your guests."

She swallowed, glad to know that James and Sophie were not aware of her falling out with Lord Carroll. Turning, she saw Lyric speaking to Lord Carroll, which caused her to go still.

Then her sister walked away. Allegra decided Lyric must have been telling the earl to keep clear of them. She thought she might do the same favor in return and went to the end of the line, where Lord Blankenship stood.

"Please refrain from coming near my sister," she said firmly. "Your attentions toward her are unwanted."

Before he could utter a sound, Allegra whirled and walked away. She saw Lord Carroll had taken his plate to a blanket. The other tables had filled up, so she joined Lord Motley, Lady Lida, and Lady Viola on another blanket. The child was sprawled so that no more room appeared available.

"I hope you do not mind if I sit with you," she said.

"Please join us," Lord Motley encouraged. "Viola, come and sit next to Papa. You need to eat."

"I want to sit next to Lida," she said, cozying up to the woman, who looked pleased.

Feeling eyes on her, Allegra glanced up and saw Lord Carroll watched her. She nodded curtly at him and turned to her companions.

"I am glad you thought to bring Lady Viola to the picnic. Children need their fair share of exercise."

"I agree," Lady Lida said. "In fact, we have been taking Viola for a walk each day."

Allegra noted she used the word we and couldn't help but smile.

Lord Motley cleared his throat. "I know this house party is being held in honor of you and Miss Lyric, Miss Allegra, but Lady Lida and I feel blessed that it has given us the chance to come together. This was the very atmosphere we needed in which to get to know one another better, especially with Viola present."

He paused, looking to Lady Lida, who nodded. Already, Allegra knew what was coming.

"We plan to wed as soon as possible," the earl informed her. "We would like to make the announcement of our betrothal at Shadowcrest, however. Do you and Miss Lyric have a preference as to when we might do so?"

"First of all, let me express my congratulations to the both of you," she said sincerely. "It does my heart good to see the two of you have found one another. As for your announcement, why don't you speak with Her Grace and my aunt? I will do the same. I know you are eager to share your good news with the others, and I will convey that to Her Grace and Mrs. Andrews."

"I will do so, Miss Allegra," Lord Motley said, happiness oozing from him. "Thank you so much."

"We will raise Viola to know that she had another mother, but she is young. I am grateful that I will also be able to call her my own," Lady Lida revealed.

"You will make for a most wonderful mother," Allegra assured her. "I hope you fill your nursery with many children."

They enjoyed the food and sunshine, and then she excused herself so she might talk with Sophie and Aunt Dinah. Lord Motley and Lady Lida took Viola down to where the rowboats were stored, and they would then go out onto the lake.

Making her way to the table, she deliberately did not search for where Lord Carroll was. She was afraid to make eye contact with him. He tempted her far too much, and she could not give in to his kisses again.

"I have a request," she began when she reached her destination, explaining how Lord Motley and Lady Lida wished to announce their engagement during the house party.

"Traditionally, betrothal announcements are made the last night of such an event," Aunt Dinah said.

Captain Andrews took his wife's hand and kissed it. "But who cares for tradition?" he said, turning the hand over and kissing her palm. "If they want to share their happy news with others, they should do so." He grinned. "In fact, it might even inspire others to make their own announcements."

"I agree," Sophie said. "Would you or Lyric mind if Lord Motley did so this evening, Allegra?"

"I can ask Lyric, but she and I are always of the same mind. I agree with the Captain. Let the earl claim Lady Lida publicly, the sooner, the better."

"Go check with Lyric now, dearest," Aunt Dinah encouraged. "If she agrees, Lord Motley can do the honors tonight after dinner when we gather in the drawing room."

"I will do that, Aunt."

Allegra looked about, not spying her twin anywhere. She stopped by Miss Bancroft and Lord Tillings, who was in the middle of teaching Miss Bancroft to fish, and asked, "Have you seen Lyric? I need to ask her something."

"I believe she went down to the boathouse, Miss Allegra," the viscount said.

"Thank you."

She hurried that way, wondering who Lyric might wish to go out on the water with. When she arrived, she saw Lord Motley had already put a rowboat into the water's edge and was assisting his daughter into it. Lady Lida already sat in the boat, smiling happily at the pair.

Waving to them, she spied Lyric standing next to another boat.

Lord Carroll stood beside her.

Anger sizzled through her, and Allegra marched toward them, saying, "You do not have to keep him occupied, Lyric. He should know well enough to stay away from me."

The earl's gaze met hers, his so intense that she sucked in a loud breath.

"Miss Lyric thought you and she might go for a row on the lake," he said. "I assisted her and brought the boat down for her."

The two of them getting away from everyone and out on the water was a brilliant idea on Lyric's part. They wouldn't have to keep avoiding Lord Carroll and Lord Blankenship and could relax as they floated along in peace.

"Splendid idea," she declared, brushing past him and stepping into the boat, taking her seat. "Ready when you are, Lyric," she said to her twin.

Her sister wore the oddest expression on her face. Their eyes met, and suddenly, Allegra knew this was a trap. That Lyric had betrayed her.

Lord Carroll quickly pushed off, jumping into the boat and taking up the oars. She clenched her jaw tightly as he rowed away from the shore. Away from the Judas that stood watching them.

Lyric mouthed, "I'm sorry," but Allegra was having none of it.

She wouldn't shout. She refused to make a scene in front of their guests. But she'd be damned if she said a single word to him. Lord only knew how long it would take her to forgive her twin for such perfidy.

"I know you are angry at me. And at Lyric."

He was calling her sister by her Christian name?

"Yes, she was complicit in getting you to the boat. It is because of what she knows I wish to tell you."

So, Lyric had confronted him without telling her about the conversation. Her twin was not given to betrayal. In fact, Allegra could not think of a single instance throughout their lives when they had even been angry at one another.

"All I ask is that you hear me out," he pleaded. "If you do so, I will return to shore at once and never try and speak to you again. But we needed to be alone for this."

"For what?" she snapped.

He withdrew something from his coat's inner pocket. "Read this. It will explain all."

With trepidation, Allegra accepted the folded parchment from him. She opened it and began to read.