gaze kept drifting to Alice, but every time, he found her watching the children with rapt attention.
Some of the performances were quite good. The only uncomfortable portion of the evening occurred when one of the baron’s sons attempted to play a complicated piece on the violin.
Dying cats sounded more musical than the screech of the boy’s bow across the strings. Yet the audience applauded enthusiastically at his attempts.
When Lady Rosalind and Lady Isabelle played a duet of some complexity, Rupert covertly watched as Alice beamed with true pleasure at their talent.
Then Lord James stood and began his monolog.
“If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to ‘scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.”
No child could have done Puck as much justice as Lord James, keeping mischief in his eyes the entire recitation, then looking to his ducal father with bright and hopeful eyes.
The duke applauded with the rest of the company assembled, then stood while still clapping his hands for the performance of all the children. The room followed suit, as all the young performers beamed at one another.
As the applause died away, His Grace turned to address the company.
In the quiet just before the duke spoke, a sudden, loud croak filled the silent air.
Everyone somehow became quieter still, but Rupert had to cover his mouth to avoid a laugh. The duke’s gaze immediately fell to his son beside him, both his eyebrows raised. Rupert glanced at Alice—but rather than appear amused, her face was pale as milk.
“James,” the duke said, his deep voice rolling over the company. “I think you had better release your prisoner before you make your way to bed.”
The little boy squirmed and put a hand over his chest pocket, doubtless checking the movement of the frog. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Then the duke chuckled and put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. The whole room seemed to release a long-held breath. “My Puck. You did well tonight. As did all the children. Thank you, my young gentlemen and ladies both. You have done your parents great credit this evening. Good night to you all. May the nursery be filled with your peaceful slumber amid pleasant dreams.”
That pronouncement gave the audience leave to mingle with the children, offering compliments and good nights.
As people rose from their chairs, Rupert hurried to where the governesses stood, quietly waiting for the moment to take their charges in hand once more.
Rupert bowed to Alice the moment he drew near enough. “Miss Sharpe, I must say that your students performed beautifully.”
She blushed and offered him her curtsy. “Thank you, Mr. Gardiner. It was a joy to watch them. As I have only been with the family a fortnight, I cannot take any credit.”
“But some of the blame for that frog,” Miss Felton muttered to the other governesses, loud enough for Rupert and Alice to hear. The other educators covered their mouths and snickered.
Alice’s cheeks pinked.
Rupert’s ire rose, along with a wicked desire to make the ladies uncomfortable as they had done to Alice. “Lord James has shown a great interest in animals this summer. Why, only last month, he had a tame rat he brought about everywhere with him.”
Miss Felton’s bushy eyebrows rose. “A rat?”
“Yes. I understand he left it in the last governess’s chambers when she proved unpleasant.” He smiled, likely a little too innocently. “His little pets are usually the means of his childish revenge. He has been trying to catch spiders, too. I think he has some wish to see what would happen if he released them amid company such as this.”
Miss Felton and the other governesses appeared rather horrified.
“I have half a mind to help him,” Rupert added.
“Mr. Gardiner,” Alice said suddenly, stepping forward. “Perhaps you might assist Lord James in returning his frog outdoors, while I help the other children—our guests—to the nursery? He does admire you so.”
Rupert raised his eyebrows at her, noting the somewhat anxious smile she wore. “Very well. After that, I will see him safely returned to the children’s wing.”
“Thank you, sir.” As she stepped around him, between the other governesses and he, she lightly touched his hand and he caught