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was enough that she was safe.

    * * *

    Kate made the acquaintance of Lady Penrose’s two oldest children at dinner. Pauline was a small dark creature; she had fourteen years. Louisa, eighteen and about to make her debut, was the kind of petite, elfin lass who always made tall Kate feel gangling and awkward. Louisa greatly resembled her mother, and Kate concluded the Honorable Louisa Penrose would contract an extremely advantageous marriage. Who could resist her blonde curls and laughing femininity?
    Dinner with the six of them was full of lively chatter, and Kate recalled the amusing meals with her parents, her grandfather, and his dandified friends.
    While the conversation was different, the same happy spirit reigned in the room. Her hostess gracefully controlled the discussion, steering the talk away from Cousin Kay’s experiences in India toward the fun they’d have outfitting Kate suitably for her sojourn in England. “For,” Lady Anna explained, embroidering freely upon the skeletal tale Quinn had created, “all of cousin Kay’s luggage has been lost, and we must purchase anew.” Anna winked at Kate.
    “We have a wonderful seamstress,” said Louisa to Kate, between spoonfuls of turtle soup. “She comes right to the house for fittings and copies all the newest styles. I want to be all the crack when we go to Town. Mother,” she asked, “can Cousin Kay be all the crack, too?”
    Kate laughed with the rest.

    “Can two ladies at once be all the crack in London?” wondered Pauline. “Uncle Quinn, you’re a
    ‘Top of the Trees.’ You must know.”
    “Pauline, from where did you hear that turn of phrase?” asked her father.
    “From Jem, in the stable. He said Uncle Quinn’s horses were bang-up prime, too.”
    “They are,” Kate said. “They’re a beautiful pair.”
    “Sweet goers. Cost me a dace or two at Tatt’s, but it’s no matter. And yes, my little sprite, two ladies at once may be all the crack, and I predict our girls will be top of the trees as well.” Quinn lifted his glass and toasted the two of them. “To Cousin Kay and my niece Louisa, a pair destined to take London by storm!”
    “Hear, hear!” Sir Pen laughed as he raised his glass.
    “When do we travel to London?” asked Kate as the footman removed the soup plates.
    “I go tomorrow,” said Quinn. “I must begin to see to a few of my affairs.” Raising his brows, he gave her his devilish grin.
    “We travel to London for the Season in about two months, when the weather is warmer. That will give you time to rest, and to acquire your wardrobe.” Lady Anna smiled at Kate.
    Kate was quite willing to rusticate until Louisa’s debut. She knew she would benefit from a rest in secure surroundings, as she did not look her best, given the strain of the last few weeks. But she still fretted. “Cousin, er, Quinn, I am concerned about the state of my finances. My, um, ready was lost with my…my other luggage.”
    “Not to worry, Cousin Kay,” said Quinn. “You may draw upon your, er, family accounts at any time.
    I will arrange it for you. In any event, your expenses are not extraordinary. You shan’t need court-dress or anything of that sort. Just day dresses, and perhaps one or two gowns suitable for excursions to the theatre and the like.”
    “Oh, Mamma! Can’t I go to London also? Surely it would be unexceptional to attend a play, and I so wish to go.” Pauline appealed to her mother.
    Anna frowned. “Your sister did not travel to Town at your age.”
    “But I’ll be all bored here,” whined Pauline.
    “Everyone exciting will be gone.”
    Her father raised his brows. “Truly, daughter?” Pauline flushed and stuttered. “No, Father, I mean, I know you will be here, but you will be all involved with Harry and Charlie.”
    “It is precisely this sort of social gaffe which keeps fourteen-year-olds at home,” observed Sir Pen.
    “Perhaps she can go for a short while, just to attend the theatre,” said Lady Anna