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officially the most disgusting member of this party. You’ve edged Edward out of the spot completely.”
    â€œEdged me whatsies?” Edward asked, popping a pocket chocolate into his mouth.
    â€œIt was a mouse,” Tabitha said softly. Perhaps the admission would cause her to lose any chance of making a close acquaintance among the group, but loyalty was owed to Pemberley. Tabitha had forgotten many of the rules of friendship, but that was one she felt certain of. “And he wasn’t filthy at all.” And he’s listening to us at this very moment.
    â€œI’m sure . Lovely brooch, Tabitha,” Frances said, clearly not meaning it at all. “What is it? Some kind of insect?”
    â€œI like animals too,” said Viola, patting Tabitha’s knee.
    Tabitha’s hand went automatically to the pin. “It’s a bittern,” she said, hating herself for the blush she couldn’t stop. After all, there were far worse things than being insulted.
    â€¢Â having her hair pulled out, clump by clump
    â€¢Â sifting through a rubbish bin for rotten food to eat
    â€¢Â witnessing a carriage running over a kitten
    â€œOh, a bittern!”  Viola exclaimed. “We just learned about those in our nature course. Our teacher said that they used to be found in the wet areas of England, but they’ve nearly all died out. It was so very sad to hear that I told her perhaps some have hidden themselves away. Perhaps they’ll come back one day.” She leaned over Oliver and looked at the pin more closely. “It is lovely. Do you know that the Countess has given away nearly eight thousand pounds to avian causes?”
    â€œBirds are very big in jewelry design now. My mother has a piece almost exactly like that pin,” Oliver said, glaring at Frances. “In fact, that design would fit in nicely at any of my father’s stores. Where did you get it? I’ll recommend the jeweler to my father.”
    Tabitha reddened once more. Oliver was just being kind, lying and trying to knock Frances down a bit. “My mother gave it to me.”
    â€œHow nice. I’m sure it was her best piece, too,” Frances said, keeping her eyes wide and innocent.
    Tabitha gripped Pemberley lightly, willing his influence to keep her silent.
    â€œThe Countess is sure to like your pin,” Edward said, having finished his treat. “There were swans on her seal.”
    â€œOh! And we learned of something of swans in class as well. Boy and girl swans mate for life,” Viola said with a soft smile. “You know, the Countess never remarried after her husband died. I think it’s terribly sweet and romantic.”
    Edward pulled a worn envelope from his back pocket. He peered at the broken seal, trying to press it together. “Huh. Doesn’t look romantic to me. They’re the same size on this seal, aren’t they? Boy swans are bigger than girl swans in real life, so I’d say these two are brothers or sisters, or maybe best mates, but not the best of mates .” He chortled at himself, then scratched his nose. “If I recall, the Countess’s husband was rumored to have been murdered . And I’ve heard the place is haunted with all manner of ghosts.” He winked at Frances. “You’re not the only one with access to rumors, are you, tea cake?”
    Frances sniffed. “Good God, do you never stop thinking of food? And I suppose anyone with access to the daily tabloids knows of the ghosts. Former employees, bitter from being let go and looking to make money with their lies, Mother says.”
    Viola looked around the foyer before raising her eyebrows and lowering her voice to a whisper. “I don’t have any information about the ghosts, but I heard something about her husband’s death. It was probably in a grisly manner.”
    Oh my. Tabitha’s curiosity bullied away her silence, and she found herself unable to