*Tarquin*
Immediately upon the little band’s return to Littlebourne Manor… the unfortunate Annie’s rash having been inspected, diagnosed, and treated… my mother waves all the other she-wolves off to their chambers to change their clothing, then raises a finger at me.
“Accompany me, if you please, my son,” she says. “I should be grateful for the support of your arm while I take a brief turn around the gardens.”
The moment we are out of earshot of our guests, she stops. “Tarquin, I am not enjoying Miss Darkwoods’s company.”
"Yes," I agree.
"Yet her sister Miss Brielle appears to be a most suitable candidate for your Princess. She was remarkable when talking to Mrs. Knockem and her wagtail of a daughter… whose rash, by the way, is no more than she deserves, given her loose behavior. At a
