Seductive Deception

Chapter 7

"I found a splendidly handsome silk for you today, unfortunately, it costs a small fortune. Mrs. Wheelwright, the dear she is, ordered something similar from Spitalfield. It's iridescent, like a pearl. Unlike any I've ever seen before," Allegra gushed as she opened the door and found Louisa with Jannie on her lap.

Louisa's lips scrunched as she pushed her spectacles up. This was her thinking face and Allegra recognized it well. "I needn't anything extravagant. Satin or taffeta are equally as handsome."

"What's iridescent mean?" Jannie asked, looking up at Louisa.

"Shimmery."
"What's shimmery?"

"Like a pearl."
"I ain't never seen no pearl."

Louisa reached for a book and thumbed through the pages. "Like this."

The little girl tipped her head, her pale blue eyes lit up. "Ohhh."

Allegra grinned, warmed by her sister's simplicity. "Yes, but when you see this, you will agree with my assessment. Besides, I promised to make you belle of the ball, and I hold true to my promises."

Louisa sighed. "I would go in a sack if you would come with me."

Allegra shook her head. "This is about you, remember? We've been planning this for years, and I haven't the extra money to buy a gown for myself. Besides, we can't risk my discovery."

"I think it would be beneficial for you to be there...help point out some gentlemen you believe are a good match."

"I volunteer," Barrett chipped in, overhearing, as he clod down the stairs, but neither of them paid him any attention.

The idea of successfully matching her sister with a gentleman of the ton would further secure her potential future, and all the better if she could be there. But she didn't have a gown and the idea of being surrounded by the peerage was unappealing at best.

"We can discuss potential matches before you go."

This appeased Louisa, who gave her sister a wan smile. "I suppose that will work."

"Do you hear that?" Barrett asked, tipping his head. He put a finger to his lips.

Everyone was quiet outside of the commotion and riotous music of daily life in Somers town— the clatter and rattle of the nearby Euston and King's Cross train stations, the tolling bells of St. Pancras, the Danzeisen's accordion music, somewhere down the corridor Donato was singing a libretto, and then Allegra heard it too— an odd sort of snuffling noise.

She put her finger to her lips as her eyes shot wide. Then, she bent, folding her skirts beneath her knees as she tipped her head, searching under the sagging belly of the sofa.

"Barmy!" she shrieked and stumbled backward onto her elbows as a hedgehog barreled out, snuffling and sniffing at full speed.

"Louisa!" she shouted at the same time that Barrett yelled, "Louie!"

Louisa threw her arms up, shooting them a sheepish grin.

Barrett glared at her.

"What?" Louisa tipped her nose up, "Mrs. Picklebottom eats all the black beetles that are such a nuisance. She's immensely helpful to keep around. Do you like beetles in your flour?"

Ginny sighed and looked up from sweeping, "She is helpful. Haven't a single beetle since she's been here."

Louisa scurried to pick the hedgehog off the floor, but Barrett bent and lifted her, helping her after she wobbled her way into a tipped-over bowl. Unimpressed with her rescue, the hedgehog snuffled and carried on as she had before, sniffing the ground.