“I have your bag,” Louisa said. “All we need is your pelisse. Then we can leave.”
The carpetbag contained Jenny’s dress, shift, stockings, and shoes. Once she revealed to Lord Dowding that she was indeed Jenny, the plan was for her to change into her own clothes and leave the men’s garments at Rosling Estate until they were needed.
“Louisa, follow me,” Ruth said. “Make sure I’m able to corner Mrs. Rutley in her office.”
Once she was alone, Jenny reached up to grip… nothing. With a growl of frustration, she began to pace. What would she do if she were caught? Mrs. Rutley would never forgive her, and the other students would ridicule her for eternity.
The door inched open, and Louisa’s head appeared. “It’s safe. Hurry!” she took the carpetbag from Jenny. “Quick, now! To the cloakroom for our coats.”
Jenny peeked into the corridor to make sure it was clear. It was. They hurried to the stairs and stopped again. No one. Trousers made moving considerably easier! It was no wonder men preferred them. Would breeches be even more comfortable?
She had considered finding breeches instead of trousers, but the idea of slippers rather than boots did not sit well with her. How did a woman hide her dainty ankles and feet if she had to wear stockings and slippers? No, Ruth had been correct. Boots were a much better choice. Granted they were a bit big, but an extra layer of wool stockings took care of that problem.
When they reached the foyer, they hurried to the cloakroom. Jenny stuffed her pelisse into her bag with great effort. Perhaps she should have borrowed Louisa’s for the coat, it took up so much space! They were unable to close the bag completely, but it would do.
Jenny strained to listen. Ruth and Mrs. Rutley’s voices trailed from her office, and she sighed in relief.
“That was close!” she whispered as she pulled the door shut.
Turning, she nearly screamed when she collided with Lord Walcott.
“Pardon me, sir,” Lord Walcott said.
Jenny glanced at Louisa, who was motioning with her eyes.
“I beg your pardon, my lord,” she said in a gruff voice. Could he hear the pounding of her heart? She was sure he would call her by name any minute.
There’s no time to panic,she reminded herself.
Touching her hat, she said, “Good day to you.” Without waiting for a response, she hurried past him, her heart near bursting.
“We must run, Jenny,” Louisa said. “Either Mrs. Shepherd or Mrs. Rutley will answer the bell!”
Jenny had not considered that problem. With wide eyes, she lowered her head and ran down the drive toward where the carriage waited. Halfway, she glanced over her shoulder. Lord Walcott was already inside.
“Let’s pray he says nothing about seeing me,” Jenny gasped. The bindings and corset constricted her breathing, and she had to slow her step or faint.
Louisa grabbed her by the arm and forced her to stop. “Jenny, your disguise worked! Lord Walcott did not even give you a curious glance. It was worth it.” She giggled. “He even called you ‘sir’!”
Jenny smiled. What Louisa said was true. Even if she had to wash dishes for a year, it had been well worth the risk.
Chapter Thirty-One
Nicholas stared down at the letter he had written and growled in frustration. When had he become a man who begged and pleaded for something he wanted?
One who would do anything to avenge his sister but cannot do so without the aid of a man unwilling to make an appearance,he thought wryly.
Mr. Thompson had denied his previous request to set up a meeting between him and Lord Tulk. In his frustration, Nicholas had penned this letter. But he would not send it. What good would it do to contact the man again? Nothing would change his mind.
“My lord?”
Nicholas looked up to find Osborne in the doorway. “Yes?”
“Miss Louisa Dunston to see you.”
“Miss Dunston?” Nicholas mumbled. Now, why would Miss Jenny’s friend be calling? Miss Jenny was to call the following day. Perhaps something was wrong. He stood and buttoned his coat. “Send her in.”
A moment later, the blonde girl entered the room, dropping into a perfect curtsy. “Forgive me for calling unannounced, my lord,” she said as she rose. “But it’s an urgent matter.”