Free The Fashionable Spy by Emily Hendrickson Page A

Viscount Leighton, son of the Earl of Crompton. I recall Aunt Bel talking about him once, and it seems he was as much a rake as his son is now.”
    “Oh, dear,” Victoria muttered. It appeared to her that whether she admitted it or not, Elizabeth had become fascinated with a highly eligible rake. Did such behavior run in the family, then? First, Julia and Lord Temple, for it was clear that he charmed her. Then, the attraction Victoria felt toward Sir Edward that was utterly foolish. It appeared the Dancy girls were doomed to disappointment ... or were they? She rose to go to her room, for it was time to prepare for their early dinner. She would share her news with them at that time.
    * * * *
    “You cannot fathom how surprised I was when Sir Edward offered to purchase a new chaise for the family,” Victoria revealed after the three assembled in the dining room.
    “The old one is surely not all that terrible, is it? Not that I have examined it closely, mind you. But if Sam could drive it home ...” Julia paused in the act of sipping the last of her soup.
    “All I can tell you is that Sam informed me that he’d not take us on any bumpy roads until either it had been rebuilt or we bought a new one. And you know what the rural roads are like.” She exchanged knowing glances with Julia.
    “I see. I expect it might be as costly to rebuild as to have new,” Julia speculated. She placed her soup spoon down while eyeing the remove of turbot with shrimp sauce brought to her side.
    “I wish I was able to travel about as you do. I’d even welcome a visit to Aunt Bel,” Elizabeth inserted in the subsequent pause. “All I get to do is sit at my table and draw money. Counterfeiter! That sounds utterly horrid. I just hope that I am able to obtain a commission for a series of engravings of ‘Life Along the Thames’ or a similar subject.’’ She sighed before attacking her turbot.
    “Why do you not take time to drive to the park and do a bit of sketching? Perhaps you could drive out to Richmond and draw a scene of the Thames from there? It is such a lovely view,” Julia encouraged her.
    The adorable pout fled from Elizabeth’s pretty mouth and she grinned with pleasure. “Would one of you be able to go with me tomorrow?”
    “Oh, dear, I have to be at the foundry in the morning, and then meet with Sir Edward in the afternoon.” Victoria popped a morsel of roast chicken in her mouth, then turned to Julia.
    In her soft sweet voice Julia replied, “Much as I would adore taking the girls along and making a day of it, I had better get on with my work. I wish to transfer the sketch of Viscount Temple to the ivory. He approved the size of the piece I had brought with me, so that it is all set to begin.” She gave Elizabeth a sympathetic look, then offered, “Perhaps later in the week, if this lovely weather holds?”
    Somewhat mollified, Elizabeth gave a gusty sigh, then turned the subject. “What are we going to see at the theater tonight? Something educational, I suppose. Opera, perhaps?” She grimaced. “I do not care for the screaming of the singers in the least. Music is most definitely not one of my interests. I much prefer a good comedy.”
    Victoria chuckled. They all agreed Elizabeth had a tin ear. “No, dear. No opera. Although I should think you would enjoy the costumes.”
    “Not enough to compensate for all that squawking. Stuff and nonsense, the lot of it.” Elizabeth speared another piece of her favorite vegetable, freshly picked asparagus. They ate in silence for a time, then Elizabeth inquired, “What about the coach? Will you ask for an aquamarine interior? I thought the one Mrs. Biddlesby has worth emulating, as I believe I mentioned to you once.”
    Her hopeful gaze pleaded with Victoria. Since each of the girls had eyes that reflected green as well as blue, Victoria considered this might be an interesting scheme. She suffered a twinge of embarrassment at accepting such an expensive gift, but she