“Allowed,” Lady D said graciously.
“And then she recalled the advice given to her by her mother, before the blessed lady had gone to her reward, pecked to death by pigeons—”
“This can’t be real!”
“Of course it can’t. It’s a novel. But I swear to you, it’s right here on page 193.”
“Let me see that!”
Hyacinth’s eyes widened. Lady Danbury frequently accused Hyacinth of embellishment, but this was the first time she had actually demanded verification. She got up and showed the book to the countess, pointing to the paragraph in question.
“Well, I’ll be,” Lady Danbury said. “The poor lady did get done in by pigeons.” She shook her head. “It’s not how I’d like to go.”
“You probably don’t need to worry on that score,” Hyacinth said, resuming her seat.
Lady D reached for her cane, then scowled when she realized it was gone. “Continue,” she barked.
“Right,” Hyacinth said to herself, looking back down at the book. “Let me see. Ah, yes…gone to her reward, pecked to death by pigeons.” She looked up, spluttering. “I’m sorry. I can’t read that without laughing.”
“Just read!”
Hyacinth cleared her throat several times before resuming. “She had been only twelve, far too young for such a conversation, but perhaps her mother had anticipated her early demise. I’m sorry,” she cut in again, “but how on earth could someone anticipate something like that?”
“As you said,” Lady D said dryly, “it’s a novel.”
Hyacinth took a breath and read on: “Her mother had clutched her hand, and with sad, lonely eyes had said, ‘Dearest, dearest Priscilla. There is nothing in this world more precious than love.’”
Hyacinth stole a peek at Lady Danbury, who she fully expected to be snorting with disgust. But to her great surprise, the countess was rapt, hanging on her every word.
Quickly returning her attention to the book, Hyacinth read, “‘But there are deceivers, darling Priscilla, and there are men who will attempt to take advantage of you without a true meeting of the hearts.’”
“It’s true,” Lady Danbury said.
Hyacinth looked up, and it was immediately apparent that Lady Danbury had not realized that she’d spoken aloud.
“Well, it is,” Lady D said defensively, when she realized that Hyacinth was looking at her.
Not wishing to embarrass the countess any further, Hyacinth turned back to the book without speaking. Clearing her throat, she continued: “ ‘You will need to trust your instincts, dearest Priscilla, but I will give you one piece of advice. Hold it to your heart and remember it always, for I vow it is true.’ ”
Hyacinth turned the page, a little embarrassed to realize that she was as captured by the book as she’d ever been.
“Priscilla leaned forward, touching her mother’s pale cheek. ‘What is it, Mama?’she asked.
“‘If you want to know if a gentleman loves you,’ her mother said, ‘there is only one true way to be sure.’ ”
Lady Danbury leaned forward. Even Hyacinth leaned forward, and she was holding the book.
“‘It’s in his kiss,’ her mother whispered. ‘It’s all there, in his kiss.’ ”
Hyacinth’s lips parted, and one hand come up to touch them, without her even realizing it.
“Well,” Lady Danbury declared. “That wasn’t what I was expecting.”
It’s in his kiss. Could it be true?
“I would think,” Lady D continued officiously, “that it’s in his actions or his deeds, but I suppose that wouldn’t have sounded romantic enough for Miss Butterworth.”
“And the Mad Baron,” Hyacinth murmured.