Taffeta & Hotspur

“Papa was attacked!”

“What?” shrieked her audience as a whole.

Miss Frome stood up, removed her spencer of maroon brocade, and sat with a thump. Taffy was impatient as she urged her friend to proceed. She waved her hand and winced.

“Yes … attacked.”

“Go on, do … Cath…” Taffy encouraged.

“By highwaymen who called themselves very loudly, and made certain Papa heard them, the Rogues Three,” said Cathy as she gazed at her friends.

Silence reigned for a moment, and then Taffy found her voice. “How do you know this? Surely, your papa did not tell you?”

“No, of course he did not. I … knew something was … wrong … and I listened in on his conversation when Sidmouth paid him an early visit this morning.”

Taffy snorted and laughed. “Cathy, you astound me. You eavesdropped? I am so very proud of you.”

She blushed. “Yes … but I had to. You see, Papa seemed … odd, and I was worried about him…”

“What I should like to know is … what do you know about the Rogues Three?” Nigel asked gravely.

Cathy’s hands folded and unfolded in her lap. “Why do you ask?”

“Catherine Frome, answer my uncle,” demanded Taffy, eyeing her quizzically. “Oh, my. You have guessed, haven’t you? Why, you cunning thing.”

“Only because I know you three quite well, and I know your views regarding the plight of the Luddites. I thought … perhaps you might support such a thing … and then, well … three…” her voice trailed off.

“Let us not say anything further…” said Seth making a fist and coughing into it. “One never knows who may be about … servants and such.”

“Well, this attack on your father, what could they have wanted?” asked Taffeta.

“To steal documents meant for Wellington … but, the Home Office was aware and did in fact expect the brutes to attack. They had a plan you see … and set a trap of sorts. I couldn’t quite hear everything—but I knew it wasn’t the Rogues Three of Nottingham. Needed, however to … er … warn you of the situation.”

“Yes, our rogues have retired, but it is a shame their name is being sullied like this,” said Seth with a sigh.

“Who are these traitors, and why would they betray their country?” Taffy asked, not really expecting a reply.

“Money,” answered Nigel. “It is always about money, which brings me to another subject. Stay away from Bruton, young lady. He is after you for one reason only.”

Taffy laughed. “I loathe him.”

“Do you?” asked Seth with surprise. “You could have fooled me, sis.”

“I meant to fool him, so if I fooled you, I did my job, but as you say… I think I shall now turn him up cold. I’m weary of the sport.” She saw her friend was blushing furiously and immediately said, “Now, what of your papa? Did he suffer any injury?”

“No, no, he is fine and apparently pleased.”

“Good, so now tell me … what of Fenmore?”

Again, Cathy blushed, and Taffy giggled deliciously, “Ah … also good.”

“Here is the thing,” said Nigel, as he looked penetratingly at Miss Frome, “Catherine, what does your father know about the Rogues Three? Does he believe they are one and the same as the ones who worked Sherwood Forest?”

“From what I overheard, they have their doubts, but they don’t care really. They mean to set a trap for the fellows. I was interrupted when one of our servants came out of the dining room, and I couldn’t very well allow her to see me listening at the door.”

Taffy laughed. “No, and in fact, it amazes me you did so…”

“Well, I knew something was wrong, and I was worried—although when I took to listening, I didn’t realize it would have anything to do with you three.”