Free Gideon the Cutpurse by Linda Buckley-Archer Page B

feel more keenly what it is to be alive. He hires seats in the covered stands--it was my task to see to the needs of his many distinguished guests. Lord Chesterfield's French chef would prepare sweetmeats, and the finest wines would be offered to the company."

"How fascinating! You will see little excitement of that type in Bakewell, I fear. Here we live very peacefully--too peacefully for some." Here she caught Sidney's eye.

"I should be content, madam, if I never saw Tyburn again in my entire life," Gideon replied.

"Then, I hope for your sake that you do not," said the Honorable Mrs. Byng.

Addressing herself once more to Peter and Kate, she said, "You are most welcome to stay at Baslow Hall and send word to your uncle in London that you are here. However, the day after tomorrow Parson Ledbury takes Sidney and young Jack to visit my brother Richard who lives in Lincoln's Inn Fields--a most convenient location. You might prefer to travel down to London with them. There is room enough in the carriage and four."

"Oh thanks!" Kate exclaimed. "That'd be so cool! Yes, please!"

"Yes, that'd be brilliant!" said Peter, and seeing the expression on Mrs. Byng's face, he added, "I mean, one would be most grateful to accept your gracious offer of a...er...lift."

Mrs. Byng looked as if she were wondering exactly which part of Scotland these children sprang from.

"Well, it is settled," she said. "I will tell Parson Ledbury to expect two extra passengers."

"Mama," interrupted Sidney. "If there is a hanging day while we are staying with Uncle Richard, perhaps I could ask Parson Ledbury to take me to Tyburn?"

"No, Sidney," replied his mother. "I forbid you to do any such thing."

Mrs. Byng ordered Hannah to arrange for rooms to be prepared for the guests and for Cook to prepare them a light supper. A footman wearing a tightly curled white wig guided Peter and Kate through the airy entrance hall to a dining room lined with oak paneling. The footman stood to attention at one side of the room. Neither Peter nor Kate could guess whether they were supposed to make conversation with him. Kate tried to catch his eye and smile, but he stared right ahead so they sat in silence. Soon a kitchen maid appeared wearing a starched white apron over a worn gray dress. She carried a silver tray crammed with dishes. While the silver was gleaming, Kate could not help noticing that the servant girl could definitely have done with a wash. As the girl bent to arrange their supper in front of them, Kate saw a black rim of dirt above her collar. The kitchen maid curtsied and left the room, closing the door behind her. Peter and Kate sat in silence, feeling awkward, unsure whether they should help themselves to supper or wait to be asked. There was a bowl of steaming cabbage, a golden-crusted pie, and a pretty china dish containing a kind of stew or casserole: Some pale gray lumps were swimming around in some grayish broth. When Peter noticed the islands of congealed fat floating on the top of it, he thought he would plump for a slice of the pie. The footman came forward and picked up a heavy serving spoon. He turned to Kate.

"The stewed carp or the pie, ma'am?" he inquired with a bow of his head.

Kate looked doubtful.

"Hmmm...What are you having, Peter?" she asked.

"I know what carp is, because I've caught plenty, but I've never eaten one. They're supposed to taste a bit muddy," he whispered.

"The pie looks nice," said Kate brightly to the footman. "What sort of pie is it?"

"Calf's head pie, ma'am. It is a favorite of the Byng family."

Kate gulped and exchanged a desperate look with Peter. "May I have some cabbage and fish, please?"

"And the same for me, please," said Peter.

They ate without speaking, partly because the presence of the footman unnerved them, but mainly because the excitement of the day had utterly exhausted them. The carp was edible but was not nice--Kate managed to swallow it, but Peter pushed it around his plate with his fork