Page 47 of Eight for Losing, One for Loving

“Well done, Jenny, thank you,” Vi said, pushing Mau gently aside and scrambling to her feet. Thank heavens Jenny had given her time to think. “Tell her… Tell her I’ll be down shortly.”

“Very good, ma’am.”

“Oh, Mau! If Mama is here, she knows all, and she’ll tell me I must marry Leo. What if Leo thinks I’m doing it because I must, because Mama persuaded me? I don’t want him to think that. I’ve put him through enough and he’s… he’s been so very kind, and loyal, too. Any other man would have given up on me when I was so rude and obstinate to him.”

Mau sat down, regarding her thoughtfully, and then gave a loud and imperious miaow.

Vi looked at him. “What does that mean?” she demanded impatiently. “Oh, heavens, if only we’d had more time. I’m not ready for this adventure to end yet and—”

“Miaow!”

“Hush, Mau, I’m trying to think. Oh, what is it?”

“Miaooow!”

Vi stared at Mau, an idea forming in her head. “I’m not ready for this adventure to end,” she repeated softly, before giving a squeal of delight and scooping the cat up, hugging him tightly. “Oh, you clever, clever puss. Well done!”

Vi found the note Leo had left her and turned it over. She took a small pencil from her reticule and wrote quickly, grinning to herself as she imagined Leo’s face when he read it.

Gathering up the few items she had to her name in the circumstances, she looked about the room and then at the cat, who was sitting on the bed, watching her intently. “Well, Mau, come along, then. It’s time to go. We’d better find out if Jenny wants to take up her position rather earlier than I expected.”

Mau jumped down and walked elegantly to the door, tail aloft. Vi opened it and he darted out before turning and waiting for her, just as if he knew exactly what she was about.