Chapter 6

The unconventional approach had worked, giving Poppy and Beatrix enough confidence to participate in the season without disgracing themselves. The family had praised Miss Mark for her cleverness. All except for Leo, who had told her sardonically that Elizabeth Barrett Browning had nothing to fear. And Miss Marks had replied that she doubted Leo had sufficient mental aptitude to judge the merits of any kind of poetry at all.

Poppy had no idea why her brother and Miss Marks displayed such antagonism toward each other.

"I think they secretly like each other," Beatrix had said mildly.

Poppy had been so astonished by the idea, she had laughed. "They war with each other whenever they're in the same room, which, thank heavens, isn't often. Why would you suggest such a thing?"

"Well, if you consider the mating habits of certain animals—ferrets, for example—it can be quite a rough-and-tumble business—"