“It’s that female.”

Shermont didn’t need to ask which female he was talking about. Carl’s consistent doom and gloom attitude could get a bit annoying at times, but he’d proven perceptive in their activities for the crown.

“Something about her doesn’t ring true.” Once started, Carl didn’t pull any punches. “I’m concerned your attraction to her will distract you from your mission—”

“Our mission.”

“And may blind you to the chance she could be involved.”

Despite the fact he’d already learned Eleanor was dangerous to his equilibrium, he denied the possibility. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

“You will by necessity be much in her company. There is the ball and a picnic tomorrow.”

“You worry too much.”

Carl heaved a sigh. “It is my nature, my job, my curse, and my reason for being.”

“And it has saved our lives a time or two. Just try to keep it to a minimum until there is really something to worry about.”

“Yes, milord.”

“Now, have a look at this.” Shermont smoothed out the heavy paper and pointed. “This is where I entered the wood. About here I found a path … but it’s not marked on the map.”

“Probably just an animal trail. Deer in those woods, I hear. And wolves, if gossip is to be believed.”

“I found a heel print and other signs of human usage. The trail widened at an ancient oak tree. I followed it to a point just this side of that bald, flat-topped hill where the path joined the road to town. I think the French agent is using the tree as a drop point for messages. A courier takes the information to Napoleon and brings back the payment. By necessity, that person would have to move about and cross the Channel without being noticed, probably, a sailor or fisherman. Therefore he couldn’t frequent the house without causing comment. Using the large bole in the trunk of the tree as a drop point leaves everyone else none the wiser.”

“Or it could be a lover’s trysting place.”

Shermont shook his head. “I think we’re onto something.”

“I will notify our agent in town to watch the road and pick up anyone leaving the woods.”

“No. The courier is small potatoes. We can pick him up anytime. Our quarry is the man who leaves messages in the tree.”

“Or the woman.”

Which, of course, brought Eleanor to mind. Shermont rubbed the scar on his forehead.

“Another headache? I’ll prepare one of my herbal remedies for you,” Carl said.

Shermont nodded his thanks while he stared at the map. What route would someone from the house take to remain out of sight? Even at night the light coming from the many windows would illuminate large sections of lawn.

Carl served the tea.

“Thank you. I want to explore the area after dark. Please arrange for a tray to be brought up for dinner. Make whatever excuse you think appropriate. And let Lord Digby know not to expect me at the card table before midnight.”

* * *

After the croquet game broke up, the rest of the party drifted into the house talking about the plans for the picnic on the following day. In the grand entrance hall, two maids and a footman waited to take hats, bonnets, parasols, and shawls.

“Won’t you join us in the parlor?” Aunt Patience asked Teddy.

“As much as I would enjoy being the only thorn among so many lovely roses, estate business tears me away. If you will excuse me?” he asked with a bow.

Patience nodded, and he left. “Well, my friends. Shall I have Cook serve us tea now, or would you prefer later?“ she asked the other chaperones.

“I think we will take tea in our room,” Mrs. Holcum said for herself and her daughter. “A bit of rest is always called for after exercise.”

“Excellent idea,” Mrs. Matthews agreed. “The sun gave me a smidgen of a headache. A lie-down before dressing for dinner would be just the remedy.” She turned toward the stairs. “Come along girls.”

Fiona and Hazel followed with no enthusiasm. “Naps are for babies,” one muttered, only to be hushed by her mother.

Aunt Patience and Mrs. Holcum ascended the stairway chatting, and Beatrix trailed meekly behind.

“This is a perfect time for us to get reacquainted,” Mina said, linking her arm through Eleanor’s.

Deirdre took her free arm and they followed the others upstairs. “Yes, we want to hear everything. Tell us all about life in the Colonies. Have you seen any wild Indians?”

“Well …” Eleanor didn’t want to lie more than necessary. “I saw the Atlanta Braves … battle the Cincinnati Reds once.” The only pro baseball game she’d ever attended.

“What about Colonial men?” Mina asked. “Do they all have big bushy beards and wear bearskin clothes?”

“Don’t be silly. Americans dress like everyone else.”

Deirdre opened the door to their suite of rooms. “I had wondered if your wardrobe would be up to snuff, but at least the dress you’re wearing is reasonably up to date.” She plopped down on the green and gold settee and put her feet on the gold-tasseled hassock. “Waists are moving lower every year.”

“I’ve never seen a design like that,” Mina said, taking the place next to her sister.

“Do you like it?” Eleanor asked. She twirled in a circle, proud of her handiwork. “I designed it myself. The crisscross bodice and side pleats hide hooks, so I can dress without assistance.”

Both girls stared at her as if she’d spoken in tongues.

“Why would you want to dress yourself?” Deirdre asked.

“You made your own clothes?” Mina exclaimed. “Are there no dressmakers in the Colonies?”

“I’m sure there are. I just enjoy sewing. Don’t you?”

“Well, we embroider handkerchiefs and the like. And we help Aunt Patience with the mending, and she sews Teddy’s linens.”

“We make shirts and baby clothes for charity. Every gentlewoman does needlework. Idle hands and all that.” Mina tipped her head to the side. “Where do you get patterns?”

“I look in fashion magazines for ideas and then make my own.”

Mina jumped up and headed for Eleanor’s room. “I want to see the rest of your wardrobe.”

Deirdre and Eleanor followed. They spent the next hour happily trying on one another’s clothes, matching accessories, and sharing fashion tips.

“Are you wearing this to the ball? I have a lovely string of amber beads that would go perfectly with this gold-washed silk,” Mina said.

Eleanor touched her talisman. “I designed the dress specifically to wear with my favorite necklace. The trim echoes the filigree on the sides of the cross.”

The sisters admired the amber cross. “I think I’ve seen something similar,” Deirdre said, frowning. “But I can’t remember where.”

Mina looked closely at the embroidered hem. “Look at this. Have you ever seen stitches so even?” She held out the dress to show her sister.

“Ah …” Eleanor didn’t know when the first sewing machine had been invented, but she was sure the kind with cams to embroider designs was very modern. “I had help. Singer did most of the actual work.” Time to divert their attention. She grabbed the leather case that held her Regency jewelry, flipped it open, and pulled out a necklace. “These dark blue glass beads would complement the dress you’re wearing,” she said to Deirdre.

“You’re right. I hadn’t thought to wear dark blue with this pale yellow muslin. You have a good eye for color.”

Mina arched her neck to see what else was in the box. Hiding a grin, Eleanor set it out on the table and invited the girls to look at her jewelry. She admitted that most of the stones were worthless imitations.

“All our jewels are paste, too,” Mina said as she held up a peacock-shaped brooch.

“Mina!” Deirdre said in a low warning tone.

“Well, they are.”

“Teddy told us never to discuss our jewels.”

“She’s family.” Mina turned to face Eleanor. “Come. I’ll show you mine, even if Deirdre wants to be secretive with hers.” As she led the way into the other bedroom, she continued, “Teddy had replicas made of all the jewelry we inherited from mother so we wouldn’t have to worry about having it stolen. He keeps the real jewels locked up somewhere safe.”

Mina used a small key to unlock the wide top drawer of a massive dresser. Inside was an amazing collection of nearly every gem and type of jewelry imaginable, so many pieces that the velvet lining was hardly visible. “Of course, most of these we won’t wear until we go to London and are presented at court. Can you see me decked out in these to play croquet?” She held up a fabulous necklace of diamonds linked together by star sapphires. The pendent on the end was as large as a quarter. A matching bracelet, ring, and tiara completed the set.

“This parure is my favorite,” Mina said, displaying a comparable set made with large square-cut emeralds. “Family legend says Queen Elizabeth gave them to our ancestor, the first Lord Digby, for unspecified services.” Mina wiggled her eyebrows and giggled.

“I hope all this is insured,” Eleanor said.

Mina shrugged. “Teddy handles those matters.”

“You really should take an interest in your business affairs.”

“I don’t understand why. We don’t know anything about investments. Teddy does a fine job managing our funds, and when we marry our husbands will control everything.”

“You could have control of your own money built into the marriage contract. Then, if a husband turned to drink and gambling, he wouldn’t leave you destitute.”

“Oh, poor Eleanor. Is that what happened to you? Is that why you’re so poor that you have to make your own clothes?”

“Absolutely not. I … I’m not poor. I just think a woman should have control of her own destiny, that’s all.”