All eyes were on Abigail. She squirmed, trying to get more comfortable in her seat.

Just tell them what happened, Abigail thought, and then put the attention on someone else.

“Well, you see, the two foxes that came to call upon me were Lord Richards, what you know, and the other was Mister Marin Lyon, who is probably the only Fox I didn’t know at the ball,” Abigail said, as her co-conspirators leaned in.“Marin came first in the morning. He arrived by coach, and his servant announced him and then went to visit with my servants’ quarters. Which was perfect, because my valet Gilles has been working overtime to try and get as much information as possible. He’s probably read more of the society papers than you, Lady Raina.”

“Oh?” Lady Raina drew out a fan.

“What I understand is that Mister Lyon is a bit older and he wants to secure his legacy. I think he’s almost twenty-one, which would have seemed ancient less than three weeks ago, but he seems nice. We had a pleasant conversation about his fish imports and his spice business, and he thinks that having a son would really solidify his legacy in Yellowrock. Gilles said that he would bet his good eye that he’s only interested in having me so that I could produce an heir, but he… Well, he was kind. I promised that I would write to him if I had the opportunity to be taken on a promenade, but I didn’t tell him that I wanted to speak with you all first.”

Lady Raina’s fan was unusually still in her grip, gaze considering. Tulip appeared again, diverting Abigail's attention as the kettle was checked but not replaced. More biscuits were laid out on the empty tray.

Abigail munched on one contentedly.

“But what about our aptly named Jack of Swords, Lord Richards? Was he well-spoken?” Lady Raina said.

“But you see, he did not arrive until afternoon tea, as I had instructed him to do so. That is one point in his favor because finding a male that actually listens, I hear, is rare.”

Tulip appeared to nod from where she stood behind Freya. It wasn’t lost on Abigail that Tulip seemed to always position herself in Freya’s blind spot.

“Unfortunately, Lord Richards didn’t bring his own house steward. In fact, he walked the distance from Yellowrock, if his account is to be believed. So Gilles wasn’t able to dig anything up himself, but I will be sending him to deliver a letter with explicit instructions to learn everything he can.”

Tulip nodded directly to Abigail, then stalked out of the room.

“What did Lord Richards say?” Holly asked.

“He did say that he secured all of our invites to next week's ball, so at the very least I will have to send my thanks. Gilles can eye up the Lord's estate.”

“Pardon me,” Holly said, “ but isn’t Gilles the fox with one eye? Isn’t he going to be terrible at eyeing up anything?”

“Yes, but he uses the eyes of others. That is the point of a steward, isn’t it? Arranging all of the staff and servants just so? He’s just going to be doing a pared-down version of that with the staff of the Richards estate. It’s all part of the game, right Lady Raina?”

Lady Raina finally put her fan down.

“Indeed, you would find that if you were to spend time in the servants' quarters that you would learn a great deal about the goings-on of the various houses. That is to say that at each ball, the servants present all gather together to eat while the rest of us dance and make faces at each other,” Lady Raina said.

“It sounds like you’re making a business out of using your steward, doesn’t it?” Freya asked.

“I’m just going to pay him a bit extra, and call it a ‘consulting’ fee,” Abigail said.

“You didn’t make any commitment and neither fox has tried to make a move yet, so you are in the clear to continue to meet with either, Lady Smith,” Lady Raina said. “As always I suggest having myself or your mother to chaperone, but you must let us know in advance. I would be free in two days to attend to both you and a suitor. That goes the same for either of you.”

Lady Raina turned to Holly and Freya in turn. They nodded.

“I will probably take you up on that,” Freya said, “As I believe I may be receiving a letter or two tomorrow.”

“Myself as well,” Holly said.

Abigail's jaw dropped so low that only Lady Raina patting her on the shoulder got it too close.

“Well, what happened to you two then?” Abigail asked.