Almost Perfect by Denise Domning

excitement over my niece’s visit, Margaret? Having her and her family staying with me this summer is such a boon. That house of mine has felt terribly empty since,” she broke off when moisture gleamed in her eyes.
    Guilt crashed down onto Cassie. She and her family weren’t staying the summer. They’d be fortunate if they managed to linger the full two weeks of the party.
    Lady Barbara brought her piano piece to its conclusion without further interruption. When the final sweet notes echoed into silence Eliza clapped in approval. Philana, seated next to Cassie, did the same. Others joined them.
    Lady Barbara acknowledged their appreciation with a shy smile and gathered up her play book. Mr. Percy rushed to join Eliza. The dandy, one of Eliza’s new admirers, leered, his face framed between his exalted collar points. “Miss Elizabeth, would you consider playing for us?”
    “Heavens no,” Eliza retorted with a laugh. “I should seem dross after Lady Barbara’s glittering performance.”
    Cassie gave thanks that Eliza was no ninnyhammer. She’d never give men like Mr. Percy more credit than their due. Eliza knew that dandies like him were far too vain to let their affections expand past the tips of their own toes.
    “Here now, Sir Roland.” The spangled young man pulled Roland closer to the piano. “You must convince your youngest to play for us.”
    Roland looked old and faded tonight even in his evening attire. “You must heed her refusal, I think. Our ‘Liza’s fingers tend to betray her, but she’s quite the thrush. Why not ask her to sing?”
    Cassie eyed their father in surprise. So did Eliza. Neither of them realized Roland had ever noticed Eliza’s talent at singing. To the best of Cassie’s knowledge this was the first time he’d ever so much as spoken of his daughter in public.
    Lord Ryecroft’s younger brother, a lad of fifteen, ambled over to join them. Lady Ross’s daughter, a girl about Eliza’s age, followed him, bringing with her two female friends. That caught the attention of the other young men in the chamber and a group began to form.
    Eliza laughed, shaking her head. “Don’t ask me to sing, at least not now. I’d much rather something more active. Has anyone an idea?”
    “What do you say to a stroll under the night sky?” Mr. Percy asked, offering just the sort of expedition Eliza enjoyed. “It’s not every night that Scotland offers a sky clear enough to see the stars.”
    Excitement blossomed on Eliza’s face. “Why that sounds lovely, doesn’t it?” She looked to the young people gathering around her. “If one of you has a spare neckcloth we might even play hoodman blind.”
    That elicited an explosion from the others, some seconding Eliza’s suggestion, others offering substitute games. Dismay darkened Mr. Percy’s face, suggesting that he’d hoped for a more intimate amble than the sort Eliza planned. Still, he was a good sport and joined the others in their anticipation of the adventure.
    “Come with us, Aunt Philana,” Eliza called. “We’ll need someone objective enough to call faults when we play our game.”
    “Of course,” Philana said.
    “Might I escort you, Lady Forster?” Roland asked.
    Philana blinked in surprise, but was too-well mannered to refuse. “There’s a capital idea, Sir Roland,” she said, taking his arm.
    “Will you come with us, Cassie?” Eliza stretched out a hand to her sister, forgetting in her exhilaration Cassie’s purpose at this party.
    “I think not,” Cassie replied. Knowing of no way to remind Eliza without telling the whole room their secret, she said, “Traces of last night’s headache remain and I fear the night air may exacerbate it. I don’t want to miss our ride to the abbey on the morrow.”
    Eliza’s pleasure dimmed. “Perhaps I should stay with you?”
    “Of course not,” Philana said swiftly, glancing from Eliza to Cassie, then to the card tables. Philana not only knew Cassie’s plan to use her