Before Imilda could say anything Betsy had hurried away.
When she returned, she said,
“There be no hurry, my Lady. His Lordship has gone to Church and them in the party who’re still here be sittin’ in the garden.”
“Who is left?” Imilda asked.
“Two of the gentlemen who were ridin’ and the ladies they comes with have gone back to London,” Betsy said. “And the winner of the race, the Marquis, he went ever so early. His Lordship had a talk with him before he were dressed.”
Imilda gave a sigh.
She had wanted to talk to the Marquis before he saw her father, but now it was too late.
Betsy was tidying up the room and after a moment Imilda asked her,
“Do we have many rats in the house, Betsy?”
“’Tis funny you ask that, my Lady,” Betsy replied. “I haven’t seen a rat for ever so long. Then y
