Chapter Twenty-Six
Twenty-Six
Jewel
WEARING HER most Christmasy gown, made of red taffeta over a white underskirt embroidered with gold, Jewel returned to the main house to find the drawing room in something of a tumult.
“Uncle Jason isn’t in the stables,” young Rebecca was reporting in a panic. “And neither are the cats!”
Finding it difficult to contain her amusement, Jewel watched Aunty Kendra and Uncle Trick troop in, much earlier than everyone expected.
Her aunt’s new gown was indeed elaborate—a confection of gold satin with silver lace spilling from the sleeves—but apparently it hadn’t taken her as long to don as she’d anticipated, Jewel thought.
Well, actually, that’s what she hoped everyone else thought.
Because she knew the truth was—
“There are cats in my chamber!” Kendra announced before the door even closed behind her. “Cats!”
“Egad!” Aunty Violet cried, apparently sharing Rebecca’s panic for a moment before visibly pulling herself together and taking charge.
She whirled to her daughter. “Rebecca, go round up those creatures once again. Take some cousins with you.”
She looked to Kendra. “I’m so sorry! I’ll have Harry and Hilda dispatch every non-kitchen servant to scour your chamber from top to bottom.”
“We’re swapping rooms with Colin and Amy,” Kendra informed her.
But Violet was already marching from the room, calling, “Start the caroling!” behind her.
Rebecca collected six cousins, who all bundled up and left, followed by a steady stream of servants with mops and brooms in hand.
Not usually one to follow orders, Aunty Kendra nevertheless plopped onto the harpsichord’s bench and placed her hands on the keyboard. Jewel had never seen her look so…
Frustrated? Stunned? Confused?
Jewel couldn’t be sure, but one thing was certain: This was a masterful prank.
She struggled to hide a smile as, by fits and starts, the rest of the family drifted in, gathered around, and began singing carols.
Well, except for her parents…