“The only thing I can tell you is she is not listening to me.”
Blasted old woman. “And you think I can change her mind?”
Eunice shrugged. “I have no clue, but you can try.”
“Keep her here until I get down.”
She nodded, and it was then he realized his wife was completely dressed.
“I shall.” She climbed off the bed. A moment later, the door opened and shut.
Brian rubbed a hand over his face. How much would the Lord punish him for locking the dowager up until Kit and Mary returned? A better question might be how much his wife would punish him. This was the reason God gave man woman: to earn their keep on earth.
Heaving himself from his nice warm bed, he saw the wash water set up. His valet had laid out his shaving gear. In less than fifteen minutes, he was in the hall.
“I must leave,” the Dowager Duchess of Bridgewater said to Eunice.
“Mama, I thought you agreed to wait until we heard from Mary.”
“No, that was what Lucinda agreed to.”
“Really, dear,” the Dowager Vicountess Featherton said. “I think we should wait, but if you do have a feeling . . .”
“I do. Otherwise I’d not drag you out again.”
Brian drew Eunice aside. “My love, I’ve dealt with enough old ladies to accept that when they geta feeling, nothing will keep them from their purpose.”
Lips pressed together, she nodded. “You’re most likely correct. I just hope they don’t ruin everything.”
She had a point there. “Kiss your mother farewell. Something tells me we’ve not seen the last of her.”
Finally, Eunice smiled. “You’re right, again.” She turned back to her mother. “We want you to come for a longer visit on your return trip.”
The dowager hugged her fiercely. “We shall.”
“At least we know we will be welcome here,” Lady Featherton said.
Eunice would love to be in Edinburgh to see how Mary and Kit responded to seeing their grandmothers. Eunice glanced at Brian. He shook his head and mouthed, “No.”
She’d better attempt to warn them in any event. A few minutes later, she and Brian waved as the coaches left, then she went to her parlor.
Dearest Mary,
I hope this letter finds you well. I thought I’d warn you that Mama and the Dowager Lady Featherton are traveling to you. Please do not be too hard on them.
Best regards to all,
Eunice
She sealed the letter and handed it to her maid. “Please see that this goes out immediately. I can only pray it will reach Edinburgh in time.”
On his second day in Alnwick, Gawain was eating luncheon when his groom entered the inn’s common room. “Any news on when the wheel will be ready?”
“Another hour or so, the wheelwright said.”
He kicked out a chair, indicating Whitely should sit. “We’ll leave as soon as we can. It’s still one hundred and forty miles to Edinburgh.”
The groom pulled a face. “Four days unless we can afford to have the horses changed.”
