“You wish to speak with me?” Penny dipped a gracious curtsy to the two ladies, curious as to what they might have to say.
“Your Aunt Winthrop has arrived with Ernest in tow. He looks more like a stuffed pumpkin tonight than anything else,” Lady Harford reported quietly.
“Ernest believes that all food exists to be eaten, or so I’ve been told. Aunt tries to discourage him in his other belief, that money exists to be spent.”
Countess Lieven smiled, a wry lifting on one corner of her mouth. As one who had collected such power in her short life, she managed her countenance with a poise beyond her years.
“Come,” she urged, “I wish to meet your so-plump cousin. And the unusual Miss Dunston as well, I believe. I know many who are suspected of dire things; I have yet to meet someone who resorts to using love potions.” Her lashes fluttered over her large expressive eyes as she followed Penny to where Lady Winthrop fussed at her son. Her appearance had the happy effect of rendering Lady Winthrop speechless.
“Madame Lieven, may I present my aunt, Lady Winthrop, and my cousin, Lord Everton.” Penny edged back a bit to watch her aunt make an utter fool of herself, while Ernest merely stood looking like one.
The countess tolerated it for a few minutes, then with a wave of her hand silenced the older woman. “And now for the other,” she murmured to Penny, who turned to see Miss Dunston approaching with Lady Harford.
The introductions proved absurdly simple. Penny began to appreciate the extraordinary gift the countess possessed. She skillfully implied that Miss Dunston had her approval as the next Countess of Everton without actually saying so. She flattered without complimenting, cajoled without asking. It was a scene not to be missed.
It was hardly surprising that Lady Winthrop suddenly looked upon the Mouse far more kindly. As for the girl in question, the bewildered expression on her face made it difficult for Penny not to laugh.
Later, while strolling away from the trio, Penny smiled at the countess. “I am most grateful to you, madame. My aunt is nothing if not persistent. I did not relish life as his wife.”
“Hm,” the countess replied, “a Toad, a Mouse, and a Crow. They ought to make for an interesting household, no?” Her eyes lit up with delightful mischief. “I adore such nonsense, for I refuse to be bored.”
Before they parted, the countess paused to place a cautioning hand on Penny’s arm. “If I hear more of the arrival of Lord Lanscomb, I shall let you know. He is most assuredly on his way to England, but we do not know when he arrives for certain. He travels with members of the Austrian court. I hear things, you know. They may wish to stop for a bit in Brussels. Perhaps the deed were best done before he arrives.”
With that last word of advice, she floated off, her slender figure soon lost in the throng so eager to listen to her frequently acid-barbed words. If Lanscomb was with the Austrian delegation, one might be sure that the countess would be aware of it and their progress. Jonathan believed she acted as an agent, reporting to the court of Russia, for it was said she was expert in drawing out secrets. No one could deny she was an attractive woman, undoubtedly useful, and, Penny suspected, quite unscrupulous in achieving her aims.
“What happened?”
“The countess worked a touch of magic, I believe. As she so quaintly phrased it, a Toad, a Mouse, and a Crow ought to make an interesting household, no?”
Jonathan looked over the heads of the crowd to where Lady Winthrop stood chatting with Mrs. Dunston. Their offspring eyed each other, Ernest with disinterest, Carola with curiosity.
“Lovely. It is too early to say if we shall succeed, but I believe we will keep our distance, nonetheless. Who knows what might be lurking in that dainty reticule that hangs over her arm?”
“The countess informed me that Lord Lanscomb travels with a group from the Austrian court. I suspect she uncovered that information while keeping track of diplomatic moves.”
“And what advice did she give you, for she loves to meddle.” Jonathan bestowed a knowing look on Penny’s troubled face.
“She suggested it might be well were the deed done before
Lord Lanscomb arrives. Do we truly believe he will accept
Aunt Winthrop’s demands without seeking you out first?”
She gave Jonathan a distraught look.
“It is not merely to wed you to Ernest that she plots, it is to recapture the fortune your father bestowed upon you. She feels that ought to be in the Everton coffers once again. There is strong sentiment for that sort of thing among the older generation.”
“She informed me the entire family supports her. I fancy that might have an effect on Lord Lanscomb as well.” Penny gave a worried look in the direction of her cousin and Miss Dunston, then turned away. “Perhaps you would feel better if I purloin that dainty reticule that intrigues you so much?”
“If you can manage to accomplish such a thing with deftness and no suspicion, I think it might be interesting.”
Penny went in search of Miss Nilsson, wondering how on earth she had managed to get in such a fantastic position. Once sighted, she approached her companion quickly. “Come, we have a little work to do. I wish you to distract Miss Dunston a moment while I spirit her reticule away.”
Instead of a horrified gasp, Miss Nilsson sensibly replied, “In aid of the cause?”
“Most definitely. Lord Harford thinks something interesting may be concealed in it.”
“By all means, my dear girl.” The two strolled along the side of the room, nodding and smiling until reaching the place where Aunt Winthrop still chattered with Mrs. Dunston. Penny would have wagered that by this
