It isnt that hard. Its the tone of voice one uses, Megan explained. You see, Rufus wants to be good.
He does? The first twin looked surprised and glanced down at the dog.
Yes. You just have to let him know how to do that. Praise him when hes good and let him know when he has misbehaved. A firm voiceyou dont have to be loud, but he has to know you mean it. She bent over the dog, rubbing her hand back over his head. Isnt that right, Rufus?
The dogs tail thumped, and he leaned into her hand, gazing at her with a silly, infatuated look. With a final pat, Megan straightened up.
Im Alex Moreland, the twin holding the box said politely. And this is my brother, Con.
How do you do? Megan extended her hand to shake each of the boys hands. My name is Megan MHenderson.
Miss Henderson. Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Con replied with exquisite politeness.
Now, I believe these are yours? She extended her other hand, still holding the bonnet edges firmly clamped together.
Yes, miss. Thank you ever so much for catching them. Alex opened the lid of the box of mice, and Megan slid her catch into the box with the others.
Con quickly pulled another couple of mice from his pocket and smiled at her. You didnt scream or anything. Most girls do.
He cast a contemptuous glance back down the hall, where the footman had helped the ladies down from their perch. The older of the women was now sitting on the bench, leaning back with her eyes closed, her hand to her head, moaning, while the younger woman fanned her vigorously.
Not all girls are used to such things, Megan told him, grinning back. I had the advantage of having three brothers, you see. But may I ask what you are doing, carrying all these mice about the house?
Theyre to feed our boa constrictor. Thats where we were taking them. Would you like to see the boa?
We have a parrot, too. And a salamander and some frogs, Alex added.
My goodness. Ive never seen a boa, Megan said. That does sound interesting.
Their words apparently reached the fainting woman, for she sat straight up with a little cry, her eyes flying open. A snake! In this house?
The younger girl glanced around her uneasily, and Megan wondered if she was going to climb back onto the bench. A snake? Where?
Hes upstairs. You neednt worry, Alex assured her.
In a cage, Con added.
Thats horrid! the older woman exclaimed, agitation propelling her to her feet. Is the duchess aware ofof these wild animals?
They arent wild, Con protested. Well, I mean, I suppose they arent tame, but they dont do anything. Theyre in cages. Well, the salamander and frogs are in a terrarium, but they cant get out.
Or, at least, almost never, Alex added gravely, and Megan was certain that she saw a flash of amusement in his eyes as he spoke.
The girl let out a shriek and clapped her hand over her mouth at Alexs words. Almost!
You wicked creature! the older woman cried, starting forward with such anger on her face that Megan instinctively moved to block her way to Alex.
Alex, however, seemed to need no help, for he squared his shoulders and came up beside Megan, as did his twin, facing the older womans wrath.
Someone should take you in hand! the woman exclaimed. You shouldnt be allowed in polite company. Bringing vermin like that into the room.
Well, I wouldnt have if you hadnt insisted we come into the drawing room and see you, Con retorted heatedly.
And the mice wouldnt have gotten loose if you hadnt kept on about wanting to see what was inside the box, added Alex.
Oh! The womans face turned bright red. How dare you speak to me that way?
I am sure that Alex and Con did not mean to be disrespectful, Megan said quickly, trying to head off further disaster. They would never want to offend one of their mothers friends. Would you, boys?
She cast a significant look at Alex, then at Con.
Cons chin jutted out obstinately for a moment, but then he heaved a sigh and said, No.
Now, I think you should apologize to these two ladies, Megan went on, giving the twins a little push at their backs, adding in a whisper to the two boys, You wouldnt want them gossiping about how poorly your mother has raised you, would you?
This notion seemed to have an effect on both the lads, for they were quick to step forward and give the women polite little apologies.
Thank you, my dears, said a warm voice down the hall, and all the occupants of the hall turned to look.
At some distance behind the footman and the two visiting women stood a tall, slender woman of regal carriage. Her upswept hair was a dark auburn, streaked at the temples with wings of white. She wore a plain blue dress, but the cut and material were clearly of the finest, and the color was a vivid reflection of the color of her eyes. She was a woman of great beauty and poise, and Megan was instantly sure that this was the Duchess of Broughton.
Mother! the twins exclaimed and went to her.
Megan noted that she smiled at the boys with warmth and affection, bending to give each a kiss on the cheek. Then she started down the hallway toward the rest of the group, while the twins seized the opportunity to hurry away.
Your grace. The footman turned and bowed toward the duchess. Lady Kempton and Miss Kempton.
The other two women turned to face the duchess, now smiling.
Duchess. Such a pleasure to see you, Lady Kempton said, stepping forward, hand extended. Im sure you remember my daughter, Sarah.
Yes, of course, the duchess replied coolly, shaking Lady Kemptons hand. What an unexpected pleasure. Miss Kempton.
She looked past them toward Megan. And to whom do I owe my thanks for bringing order out of this chaos?
Miss Henderson, your grace, the footman told her. She is here about the tutors position.
Ah, yes, of course. The duchess smiled much more warmly than she had toward her other visitors, and she came forward to shake Megans hand. Miss Henderson. How nice to meet you.
My pleasure, Megan replied, taking the duchesss hand. She was not sure how to address the woman. The footman had called her your grace, but Megans tongue balked at speaking such a reverential title.
The duchess turned toward the Kemptons, saying, Please accept my regrets, Lady Kempton, but as you can see, I have a prior engagement. Had I but known you were coming, I would have arranged another time.
The other womans face tightened, and Megan felt sure that Lady Kempton was insulted by the duchess choosing to interview a prospective employee over conversing with Lady Kempton and her daughter. Still, there was little she could do other than accept what amounted to a dismissal.
Of course, she said through thinned lips. Perhaps another time. Come, Sarah.
The two women walked past them, and the duchess turned to Megan. Come. I think the garden would be a pleasant place to chat this afternoon, dont you?
Yes, certainly.
Well have tea in the garden, the duchess said to the waiting footman, then started down the hall, sweeping Megan along with her. I am sorry about your hat, the Duchess said, a smile quirking at the corners of her mouth. I shall replace it, of course.