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Elizabeth rose, walked over to the desk, and picked up the leather-bound ledger "Here you are," she said, handing it to Lady Danbury

The countess flipped the ledger open withback up at Elizabeth "Thank you,today and I want to get all these nu me blind in a month's time"

"Lady Danbury," Elizabeth said with the utmost sincerity, "even the devil wouldn't dare to rob you blind"

Lady D thuirl So nice to see a young one with a brain in the head My own children-- Well, bah, I'et into that now except to tell you that ht between the bars of the fence 'round WindsorCastle"

Elizabeth clapped her hand over her le," Lady Danbury sighed "I've found that the only way to avoid parental frustration is to view him as a source of amusement"

"Well," Elizabeth said carefully, "that does seem a wise course of action"

"You'd make a fine diplomat, Lizzie Hotchkiss," Lady Danbury chortled "Where's my baby?"

Elizabeth didn't even bat an eyelash Lady D's abrupt changes of subject were legendary "Your cat," she e on the otto across the roohtly crossed blue eyes, decided it wasn't worth the effort, and settled back down

"Malcolnored her

"I have a treat for you"

The cat yawned, recognized Lady D as his primary source of food, and hopped down

"Lady Danbury," Elizabeth scolded, "you know that cat is too fat"

"Nonsense"

Elizabeth shook her head Malcolood portion of that was fur She spent the better part of every evening after she returned ho

Which was really quite rened to let her hold hi out her arms

"Stupid cat," Elizabeth muttered as the ecru-colored feline stopped, stared at her, then went on his way

"You're such a sweet thing" Lady D rubbed her hand against his furry belly "Such a sweet thing"

The cat stretched out on Lady Danbury's lap, laying on his back with his paws hanging over his head

"That isn't a cat," Elizabeth said "It's a poor excuse for a rug"

Lady D raised a brow "I know you don't mean that, Lizzie Hotchkiss"

"Yes, I do"

"Nonsense You love Malcolm"