"Good lord, in merciful heavens," Faustine let loose. "That woman will be the very death of all our carefully laid plans." She waved her magic wand sending a crash of thunder bellowing over the meadow. It did nothing to deter Lady Roche, hell-bent in pursuit of Lady Esmeralda. The woman's uncanny knack in creating havoc between those girls must be stopped.
Faustine hesitated to send up a blast of wind to follow the thunder. And rain was absolutely out of the question. The servants had worked too hard to prepare the picnic event. If that blasted woman succeeded in ruining everything, Faustine would personally lock her away. What she needed was needed inspiration, and soon, noting Lady Roche's robust body barreling down the path where Esmeralda sat the corner of a large blanket. The poor child hadn't caught sight her mother yet.
A slight diversion should suffice, but what? Ye gads, Pricilla and Cinderella were bent on their own path. Their confrontation would have every tongue in the kingdom wagging. Those particular fireworks were better left for another time.
"Ah, I see just the thing." Faustine smiled and flicked her wrist.
"Signora? Qual è la vostra fretta-how do you say-why do you hurry so?"
Startled, Lady Roche had no choice but to stop. "Signore de Lecce."
Faustine snickered under her breath. The beastly woman would have a hard time snubbing him.
"I…I would have words with my daughter…" her voice faded.
"Perhaps you would care to take a turn about the lake, no?"
'Twas difficult turning down such an eloquent request, Faustine congratulated herself. "Thomasine had better appreciate this interference," she grumbled, watching Conte de Lecce sketch a perfect bow. He grasped Lady Roche's meaty arm and routed her expertly for a stroll around the lake.