Hetty is true to her word

“Ach du lieber…” the Duchess mouthed. “Oh, Alred…”

Her little hand crept out and found her husband’s.

“Please tell me you’re about to cry,” he whispered.

“No! Oh, Alred…”

“Please do,” he whispered through a strained smile. “I swear I shall not be the only one crying, but if you join me…”

“No! Alred,” she whispered urgently, “there is something crawling up my leg.”

Alred glanced down at his hands. Both were accounted for. “Exceptionally, it is not I.”

“What shall I do?” Hetty whimpered. “I shall scream!”

Alred nodded. “That’s one idea.”

“But – Alred!” she gasped.

“Please do, my dear. You will surely be so mortified you will cry, and then I shall be free to let loose.”

“Alred, you are so unfeeling,” Eirik whispered to him.

Alred lifted his two innocent hands and flexed his fingers. “Exceptionally.”

And then, to Alred’s surprise, she truly did scream.