"Oooohh... Lady Fizzleclown is here at last, I was waiting for this!” said Shibz, grabbing the pamphlet off the breakfast tray excitedly before Shiri could, earning a mutinous glare from her.
Leena looked up from the piece of toast she was buttering. "Since when is a bluestocking interested in a society gossip column?"
"There's always something of interest in Fizzleclown," said Prats, airily, waving her butter knife. "That's how she makes all that money."
Lizzie narrowed her eyes, taking a long, noisy sip of her tea. "You know, sometimes I think you might be her."
"Who?" Prats raised her head sharply.
"Fizzleclown. You both love writing & you both love to torment. I cannot think of another person in this assembly who could earn good money writing a public interest column," Lizzie said, triumphantly, pointing her fork at Prats.
"Ahhh, but I can. I know for a fact that many of you illustrious ladies gathered here now not only have the ability to string words together expertly, but could also turn that hobby into a lucrative proposition if you so wish to," Prats returned with a knowing smirk.
"Tell us what Lady Fizzleclown says, Shibz," jumped in Tiara, anxious to quell the intense staring down contest that had ensued between Prats and Lizzie.
"Yes, tell us! Or just give me the pamphlet," spat out Shiri, still smarting over not being the one to read it first. Shibz moved the pamphlet out of Shiri’s reach.
"Tell us what?" queried Madhu, as she strode in with Parm who rushed to the table to grab a piece of apple pie. "Don't tell me you ladies are reading that scandalous, libelous brochure again? I have no doubt this woman will be frequenting the courthouse once her identity is revealed!"
"I suspect she's too clever for that!" said Sandy with open admiration.
"Be that as it may," said Parm, her mouth full of the delicious pie, "I want to know what she says. What's the latest scandal? Who's flirting with whom, who has eloped to Gretna Green & who has lost all their wealth at the races?"
"Perhaps you could put your detection skills to some use here, Lizzie," said Shibz finally looking up from the sheet. "There's a ball tonight!"
"A ball!" said Leena, clapping her hands excitedly. "Where is it? Who's giving it? And why have I not been invited?" Her tone was somewhat aggrieved now.
"That's the mystery," said Shibz. “Here, let me read it out for you all.”
As soon as Shibz was finished, Lee sprang up to check her doorstep.
"Ooohh, handsome, rakish Duke! Who could it be?" murmured Prats.
"I want to know who the guest of honor is! Who is this delightful woman and why am I not friends with her?" demanded Lizzie.
"It says she shoots better than most gentlemen," said Shiri resting her chin on her palms.
"That is certainly unusual for a lady of the ton!" exclaimed Madhu. "Whom do we know that fits that description?"
“She is also an excellent dancer as the news mentions. I can’t think of any lady in the ton who can both shoot and dance,” declared Sandy, throwing up her hands in resignation.
"Whoever she is, I would love to make her acquaintance and learn that particular skill from her. There are a few people I can think of that could benefit from being at the receiving end of a rifle." Parm grinned at Shibz and Shiri who giggled aloud, not bothering to mask their delight at this notion.
"Alright, let's list down the suspects. Tiara, you had a birthday recently so you're ruled out," said Prats, holding out her fingers. "Lizzie, you and Madhu too since your birthdays are a few months away. And neither of you can shoot."
"True," sighed Lizzie. "I do wish I could. Like Parm said, it's a useful skill to have."
Sandy slipped away quietly unbeknownst to the others, who continued chattering animatedly.
"Can you imagine dressing in britches?" Shiri spoke with a wistful expression. "No breath-stifling corsets & layers of heavy skirts to avoid tripping over!"
"Now that is true freedom!' sighed Shibz. "Do we dare hope all women might enjoy the likes of it at some time in the remote future?"
"I'm sure a lot of things are possible," said Madhu, firmly. "Especially if women like us make them happen."
"Great idea!" said Tiara, her eyes lighting up. "Let's all dress up in gentlemen's breeches, waistcoats and cravats for this ball!”
"And top hats!" chimed in Shibz. "I've always wanted to wear a top hat!"
"That is only if we are invited," Shiri spoke with an exaggerated sigh.
"We are!" exclaimed Lee, waving a bouquet of red roses under Lizzie's nose, who let out a loud sneeze.
"And here's the invitation," she continued. "We are to gather at India Forums' Fanfiction Forum on Nov 21st late evening. The ball will begin at the stroke of midnight & the lady in question is expected to make an appearance soon after. We are to bring our best wishes and choicest gifts for her!"
“Splendid! But I need to know who she is first!” Prats was insistent.
"And also who the rakish Duke is!” sighed Parm with a dreamy expression.
Shibz leaned towards Shiri, dropping her voice to a whisper.
“We should get there early so we can find out who the Duke & the guest of honor are before everyone else."
But Tiara's sharp ears had caught on.
“I think we can deduce who the Duke might be. This place we are invited to is not far from the homes of three esteemed Dukes, all rakish and all extremely handsome.”
"That's right!" said Prats, banging on the table excitedly. "Lord St. Vincent and Lord Bridgerton! Those two are certainly rakes & terribly handsome!"
"Ahh, but Lord Bridgeton is famously besotted with his new wife and I have heard whispers that Lord St. Vincent has toned down his rakish ways thanks to a certain young wallflower miss!" said Lizzie knowingly.
"Oh you must tell me all the gossip!" Prats said, clutching Lizzie's hand fervently.
"Ladies, can we get back to the task at hand? said Tiara, ever the practical one.
"I think this woman could be a newcomer, someone we do not know," suggested Madhu.
"No, no," said Leena. "She's someone we all know intimately, else why would we receive an invitation?"
There was silence in the room as the women contemplated the mystery.
“Ladies, where is Sandy?” asked Parm, and everyone looked around bewildered, suddenly realizing the absence of their friend.
Which left them with another mystery to solve.
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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