“Begging your pardon, milord,” said the groom who'd been leaning against the side of the carriage, “but I don't think it's such a bonny time to be a rooster.”
Robert turned a withering glare on the man. “MacDougal, if you weren't so bloody good with the horses—”
“I know, I know, you'd have thrown me out years ago.”
“There is always today,” Robert growled.
MacDougal smiled with the confidence of a man who has become more friend than servant. “Did you notice how quickly she said she didna love you?”
“I noticed,” Robert growled.
“Just wanted to let you know. In case you didna notice.”
Robert whipped his head around. “You do realize that you're rather impertinent for a servant.”
“It's why you keep me on, my lord.”
Robert knew it was true, but he didn't much feel like admitting it just then, so he turned his attention back to the storefront. “You can barricade yourselves all you want,” he yelled, waving his fist in the air. “I'm not leaving!”
“What did he say?” Mrs. Brightbill asked, nursing her bruised feelings with her seventh cup of tea.
“He said he's not leaving,” Harriet replied. “I could have told you that,” Victoria muttered.
“More tea, please!” Mrs. Brightbill said, waving her now empty cup in the air. Katie hurried over with more of the steaming beverage. The older lady drained the cup and then stood, smoothing her skirts with her hands. “If you'll all excuse me,” she announced to the room at large. Then she toddled off to the retiring room.
“Madame's going to have to buy another chamber pot,” Katie muttered.
Victoria shot her a disapproving look. She'd been trying to educate the girl in manners and deportment for several weeks now. Still, it was a sign of her jangled nerves that she replied, “No more tea. Not another drop for any of you.”
Harriet looked up with an owlish expression and set her cup firmly down.
“This is insanity!” Victoria announced. “He has us trapped.”
“Actually,” Harriet said, “he only has you trapped. I could leave at any time, and he probably wouldn't notice.”
“Oh, he'd notice,” Victoria muttered. “He notices everything. I've never met a more stubborn, disgustingly organized—”
“I'm sure that's quite enough, dear,” Madame Lambert cut in, aware that her shopgirl might be insulting her clientele. “After all, his lordship is Miss Brightbill's cousin.”
“Oh, don't stop on my account,” Harriet said enthusiastically. “I am enjoying myself immensely.”
“Harriet!” Victoria suddenly exclaimed.
“Yes?”
“Harriet.”
“I believe you said that already.”
Victoria stared at the girl, her brain whirring at triple-speed. “Harriet, you might just be the answer to my prayers.”
“I rather doubt I'm the answer to anyone's prayers,” Harriet replied. “I'm forever getting into scrapes and speaking without thinking first.”
Victoria smiled and patted her hand. “I find it most endearing.”
“Do you really? How perfectly lovely. I shall adore having you as my cousin.”
Victoria forced herself not to clench her teeth. “I shan't be your cousin, Harriet.”
“I really wish you would. Cousin Robert isn't so bad once you get to know him.”
Victoria forbore to point out that she already did know the man in question. “Harriet, if you could do me a favor?”
“I should be delighted.”
“I need you to be a distraction.”
“Oh, that will be easy. Mama is forever calling me a distraction.”
“Would you mind terribly running out of the front of the store and distracting his lordship? So that I might slip out the back way?”
Harriet furrowed her brow. “If I do that he won't have a chance to court you.”
Victoria thought herself the holiest kind of saint for not yelling out “Exactly!” Instead she said in gentle tones, “Harriet, I am not going to marry your cousin under any circumstances. But if I do not escape this store soon, we may very well be trapped here all through the night. Robert shows no sign of leaving.”
Harriet appeared undecided.
Victoria decided to play a trump card and whispered, “Your mother might grow testy.”
Harriet turned green. “Very well.”
“Just give me a moment to get ready.” Victoria hastily began to gather her things.