Cat Among the Pigeons Read Online Free PDF

mother,’ said Frank, with a broad grin at our astounded faces.
    Joseph, my favourite footman from Grosvenor Square, sought me out on Wednesday morning. He found me emptying chamber pots in the privy out the back of the theatre.
    â€˜Miss?’ he called, standing tall in his impeccable Avon livery and snow-white wig in the middle of the muddy yard.
    I ducked my head round the door.
    â€˜Hello, Joseph, how are you?’ He had proved himself to be a friend during my unfortunate imprisonment for theft earlier in the year, and I was always pleased to see him.
    â€˜I am enjoying most excellent health, MissRoyal,’ he said solemnly, bowing to me as if I were the Queen herself and not a skivvy emptying piss down the drain. ‘And you?’
    â€˜Not bad,’ I replied, wiping my hands on my apron and coming out of the privy to receive him. ‘Do you have a message for me?’
    â€˜An invitation.’
    â€˜Oh? That sounds even better.’
    â€˜If you like that sort of thing, I suppose, miss,’ he said with a disdainful sniff. ‘Not my idea of a convivial evening.’
    â€˜What is it then?’
    â€˜One of Lady Elizabeth’s gatherings – the serious set.’
    â€˜What’s that?’
    Joseph handed me a card. ‘To us below stairs, you, Master Pedro and Mr Fletcher are the jolly set, these are the serious set. Believe me, we prefer your visits. Far less bother.’
    I turned over the card and read a note in Lizzie’s elegant script:
    The next meeting of the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade is to be at our house tonight after dinner. Please make sure Pedro comes. L.
    â€˜Tell her we’ll be there,’ I said.
    â€˜Certainly, miss.’ He bent forward. ‘Is it the young master’s debut this Friday?’
    â€˜Yes, that’s right.’
    â€˜Good. I’ve got my tickets,’ he said, patting his breast pocket. ‘Had a word with Lord Francis and got the evening off. Tell Master Pedro that me and Mary wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
    â€˜I will,’ I promised.
    â€˜Splendid.’ Joseph stood up straight and resumed his peacock bearing. ‘I bid you “Good day”, miss.’
    Pedro and I turned up in good time at Grosvenor Square and were ushered into the library. As the first to arrive, we decided to amuse ourselves on the sliding stepladder that serviced the top shelves of the well-stocked bookcases. It was one of Frank’s favourite games and, as he had once toldme, the only reason he ever went into the room.
    â€˜What do you think these abolitionists are going to be like?’ Pedro asked as he sent me flying to the far end of the room with a shove on the ladder. Clunk! I came to a stop.
    â€˜Don’t know. Joseph said they were “serious” – whatever that means.’
    I slid the ladder back.
    â€˜Doesn’t sound too bad as long as they’re serious about helping me.’ Pedro propelled himself across the room. Clunk!
    â€˜Back together?’ he challenged.
    â€˜Yes, why not?’
    We climbed on board and both pushed off a bookcase marked ‘Philosophy’. The ladder rocketed towards ‘Natural Sciences’ at the opposite end of the room, the two of us shrieking as we hung on.
    At that moment the door opened and a little huddle of ladies all in grey and black entered the room.
    â€˜Oh my!’ exclaimed one. A second shieldedher eyes against the scene before her. The third gave a scream and retreated into the hall.
    Clunk! Pedro leapt from the ladder and bowed to the incomers. I tumbled to the floor.
    â€˜Ladies, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance,’ he said.
    I bobbed a curtsey, struggling to hide my giggles. They looked so shocked to find us playing; it was tempting to offer them a ride.
    â€˜Well!’ said the tallest of the ladies, proceeding further into the library and taking a seat by the fire. ‘I