“Who do you think they are?” Louisa asked in a hushed—and extremely excited—whisper.
Jenny shrugged. “I’ve no idea, but they have an official look about them.”
Indeed, despite their differences in stature and appearance, both wore stern expressions that said they were not there on a social call. And the headmistress and cook did not appear very happy to have them there.
“May I reiterate, gentlemen?” Mrs. Rutley said in the same sharp tone she had used on Louisa when caught where she should not be. “I believe Lord Ezra is simply stirring up trouble. He has been a source of frustration to me for more than twenty years, and I wish it to stop.”
“We’re only doing what the law requires, Mrs. Rutley,” the mustached man said. “There’s no offense intended.”
Mrs. Rutley gave a derisive sniff that echoed through the foyer. “With all due respect, are you honoring the laws of the land or the coins Lord Ezra has paid you?”
“I think we’re done here,” the thinner man said as he clapped his hat on his head without ceremony. Oh yes, the headmistress had rankled him!
When the two men were gone and the door was closed, Mrs. Shepherd grabbed hold of her apron and said in a frantic whisper, “I told you they’d come!”
Mrs. Rutley raised a hand and turned. “Where are you off to, girls?”
Mrs. Shepherd started but added a quick smile to her lips. “If you’re going out, walk with care. There was frost on the grass this morning. Well, I should be kneading dough, not standing here passing the time. Esther,” she spoke of her assistant, “still doesn’t spend enough time at it. These youngsters, they’ve no patience, I tell you.” And with that, she was gone.
“We’re on our way to the village, so I can purchase a mask for the party,” Jenny said in response to Mrs. Rutley’s question. “In which shop do you suggest I inquire?”
For a moment, the look of incredulity on Louisa’s face nearly made Jenny laugh. When she and Louisa had returned from the home of Lord Dowding the day before, and Louisa had headed up to their bedroom, Jenny had asked Mrs. Rutley for her permission to attend the masquerade ball—with Louisa as her chaperone, of course. But Jenny had not informed Louisa of this fact.
Granted, the earl had not invited her outright, but she had a feeling he had wanted her there with him. His excuse that he wished to protect her from a night of boredom, though admirable, was a poor excuse not to extend her an invitation.
A ball, masquerade or otherwise, meant dancing, and gentlemen would not be dancing with each other. That meant ladies would also be present.
Plus, Lord Dowding needed a friend, one who could be there to champion him on whatever business matters he had planned. Jenny was more than happy to be that friend.
He would thank her later. Of that, she was certain.
“I believe the millinery carries several,” Mrs. Rutley replied to her inquiry. “They did at one time, anyway. And as Mrs. Shepherd mentioned, do be careful. It’s a frigid day.”
Jenny pulled her wool muffler tighter around her neck. “We shall, Mrs. Rutley. We shan’t be long.” The appearance of the two mysterious men lingered. Their words gnawed at Jenny like a dog on a bone. Her headmistress was an important part of her life, and she would hate to see her suffer.
“Mrs. Rutley, what did those men want?” she asked. “Were you speaking about the uncle to the Duke of Elmhurst? That Lord Ezra?”
“And if Jenny and I can be of help in some way,” Louisa chimed in, “please let us know. If you have a debt to pay or something of that sort, you know how wealthy Father is. I’m sure he would be willing to loan you what you need.”
Mrs. Rutley gave them a warm smile and placed a hand on their arms. “I appreciate your kind offers, both of you, but rest assured, all is well. I’m financially safe, and those men will not be returning.”
Jenny nodded, but for some reason she could not fathom, she did not believe her headmistress. There was a hint of worry around her kind eyes that was there only when she had a serious problem to solve. “No, I must go into town as well. I have an appointment with the solicitor. May I join you?”
Once Mrs. Rutley had donned her outerwear, the trio set out toward the village. Although Jenny had taken Mrs. Rutley’s reply that all was well as a sign to remain quiet about the subject, Louisa did not. Of course. Nosy does as nosy will.
“Who were those men, Mrs. Rutley,” Louisa asked. “It did not seem to me they were at the school on your behest, which tells me that Lord Ezra likely sent them. But why would a disagreement you have with Lord Ezra be any of their business?” She gasped. “Is that why you’re going to the solicitor’s office? Were they Lord Ezra’s solicitors?”
“It’s as much their business as it is yours, Louisa,” Mrs. Rutley snapped.
Louisa had the decency to blush. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Rutley.”
The headmistress sighed. “You must learn, both of you, that when someone does not wish to discuss a particular topic—especially when he or she has stated so outright—it’s best to let it go. There are some subjects that a person simply prefers to keep to herself, and that is her right.”
Jenny nodded, but Louisa frowned. “I don’t mean to be impertinent, Mrs. Rutley, but if what you say is true, does that not mean we have that same right to keep certain topics to ourselves when you inquire?”
Eyes wide, Jenny shook her head. Prefacing that what one wished to say would not be impertinent, meant that what would be said most certainlywouldbe impertinent. “You’ll be scrubbing pots if you’re not careful,” she whispered.
Mrs. Rutley did not seem perturbed in the least. “Louisa, is your question driven by curiosity or concern?”