A Rogue in Sheep’s Clothing by Elf Ahearn Page B

woman of society to damage her reputation by exposing herself to criticism, especially from people such as you, Mother. Sometimes a broken bone can be less painful than public censure.” He gave his mother a piercing look.
    “Well, now you see, my dear,” Lady Davenport concluded. “Men dictate propriety. Older, wiser women, such as myself, enforce it. And for good reason.”
    There was no point in continuing the argument. “I see,” Ellie said, and stuffed a glob of pork in her mouth. The suckling pig caught her eye again. This time, she could swear it winked.
    • • •
    It must have been midnight by the time Ellie heard the last stirrings of activity in the house. She rolled over and nudged Claire who shared the bed with her. Peggity had her own room a few doors down.
    “All’s quiet,” she whispered. “Come help me find the pearls.”
    Claire moaned and rolled over. “You keep the most ungodly hours,” she said.
    “Shhhh.”
    Ellie lit a candle and the two sneaked downstairs to the library. The spaniel slept in the cushioned chair. “Hullo, Sport,” Ellie whispered, fondling the dog’s ears to wake him as gently as possible.
    “Who are you talking to?” said Claire.
    “The dog’s made his bed here.”
    “Well hurry, someone may come.”
    Half asleep, the spaniel lifted his head and sniffed Ellie’s hand, but decided not to move. He lowered his nose back on his paws. She felt all around the sleeping dog, and reached deep into the clefts where the upholstery was sewed to the seat. Nothing. Sport rolled over and exposed his tummy for her to rub. Instead, Ellie scooped him into her left arm and gave the chair a thorough going over.
    “Any luck?” Claire whispered.
    “Ugh, this dog is heavy,” Ellie said, plunking the spaniel back in the chair. “I can’t imagine where that necklace could have strayed.” She got on her hands and knees and felt about on the floor. “I fell back in the chair. That’s got to be when the pearls left my pocket.”
    The girls shined candlelight into every corner. Ellie made a complete survey of the room on her hands and knees. She found nothing.
    Claire gasped. “Oh God.”
    “What?”
    “Maybe the spaniel ate it.”
    “He couldn’t have. Could he?”
    “Do you remember when one of the hounds ate Mama’s stocking?” Claire recalled. “When Duffy devoured the beef string, and the collie made off with Snap’s poppet? We’ll have to supervise this canine’s morning walk.”
    “But I can’t. I’ve got to ride Manifesto for Lord Davenport.”
    “I’ll walk him,” said Claire. “Surely it will be obvious if he passes something that big. Then I’ll come and get you to fish it out.”
    “Lovely — but fair enough.”
    The girls tiptoed from the library. They were heading for the stairs when Claire stopped and blew out the candle. “Wait,” she whispered, grabbing Ellie’s arm.
    In the hallway above, Ellie saw the soft glow of a candle growing stronger as it moved closer. Outlined in its light, Chase Hart and Lady Davenport came into view.
    “Are they together?” Ellie whispered.
    “My God,” breathed Claire. “They are.”
    The girls stepped into the deep shadow of the wall under the stairs.
    “Kiss me on each step,” they heard Lady Davenport murmur as the couple began to descend the stairs. The sound of a kiss filled the darkness.
    “Next stair. Now, tell me that you love me.”
    “I love you, Aurelia.”
    “Next stair. Kiss me again.”
    “We shall be all night getting down the steps, my dear.” Chase said. “If you’ve something to show me, let’s get on with it.”
    “You’re spoiling all my fun.”
    The candle Claire held clunked on the floor.
    “Did you hear something?” Chase hissed, pulling Lady Davenport into the shadows. He snuffed their candle, plunging the house into darkness.
    “It was probably that pesky dog,” Lady Davenport whispered. “Take my hand. I’ll lead you.”
    Ellie and Claire pressed harder against