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Mr Haverbink bowed deeply,all up and down his back, and luhed and fluttered her fan "Ah, for the countryside, what scenery there abides," quoth she

Miss Tarabotti giggled "Ivy, what a positively wicked thing to say Bravo"

CHAPTER EIGHT

Backyard Shenanigans

The Loontwills returned fro expedition flushed with success Except for Squire Loontwill, as now less flush than he had been and wore an expressionfrom battle-- one that had been badly lost with lass of cognac The squire odliness and downed the liquor in one gulp

No one was surprised to find Miss Tarabotti entertaining Miss Hisselpenny in the front parlor The squire h to satisfy politeness and then retreated to his office with a second glass of cognac and the mandate that he was not to be disturbed for any reason

The ladies Loontwill greeted Miss Hisselpenny in a faroff all of their purchases

Miss Tarabotti had the presence ofto be a long afternoon

Felicity pulled out a leather box and lifted the lid "Look at these Are they not utterly divine? Do you not wish you had sorandeur on a bed of black velvet was a pair of lace elbow-length evening gloves in pale reen with tiny reed Alexia, because they were "But you do not own an evening gown to led her eyebrows excitedly "Very perceptive, rinned in a ht she could understand her step-father’s deathly pallor An evening gown to loves would cost a small fortune, and whatever Felicity purchased, Evylin must have in equal value Evylin proved this universal law by proudly displaying her o evening gloves in silvery blue satin with rose-colored flowers ee

Miss Hisselpenny was considerably iesse Her family’s loves and new evening gowns on a whim

"The dresses are due next week," said Mrs Loontwill proudly, as though her two daughters had acco marvelous "Just in time for Almack’s, we hope" She looked down her nose at Ivy "Will you be attending, Miss Hisselpenny?"

Alexia bridled at her mother, as perfectly well aware that the Hisselpennys were not of a quality suitable to such an illustrious event "And what new dress will you be wearing Ma appropriate, or your custoe?"

"Alexia!" hissed Ivy, truly shocked

Mrs Loontwill turned flinty eyes on her eldest daughter "Regardless of what I a, it is clear you will not be there to see it" She stood "Nor, I think, will you be per" With that punishment, she swept fro with own she picked out is daringly low-cut, frilly, and pale pink"

"But really, Alexia, you should not say such things to your own mother," insisted Ivy

"Who else should I say therumbled under her breath

"Exactly, and why not?" Evylin wanted to know "No one else will Soon Maestured to Felicity and herself "And we do not intend to end up old maids No offense meant, my dear sister"

Alexia smiled "None taken"

Floote appeared with fresh tea, and Miss Tarabotti gestured hiustina, would you please? For toht"

Evylin and Felicity looked only ustina, but a e of such a na of some kind Clearly, Alexia, unexpectedly and cruelly confined to the house by their anize some kind of entertainave Alexia a what-are-you-up-to? look

Alexia only sried the subject "Have you heard? They are htIt does not tarnish like silver Of course, it is very dear at the moment, and Papa would not allow for the purchase of any" She pouted

Miss Tarabotti perked up Her scientific papers had been all agog over neays of processing this o "Aluminum," she said "I have read about it in several Royal Society publications It has finally debuted in the London shops, has it? How splendid! You know, it is nonnetic, nonaetheric, and anticorrosive "

"It is what and what?" Felicity bit her bottooes, no stopping her now Oh, why did I have to have a bluestocking for a sister?"

Miss Hisselpenny stood "Ladies," she said, "you reallyon" The Miss Loontwills nodded