How sensible! She would take a groom. She had climbed down the side of the house like a housebreaker, but never fear! She would take a groom. Really, the girl was incomprehensible.
“Grace,” Lady Heathway said, “I know your mother complains of her treatment, but sheisbeing treated. Sir Henry says that walking, hearty bland food, and fresh, cool air are necessary for her recovery. And in fact, Lady Barlow has increased in strength despite all of her complaining.” Lady Heathway paused for a moment, then said, “I ought to have told you that when you came to me tonight with her letter. I take some responsibility for this; I should have seen how her letter had upset you and informed you of the real case of things.”
Miss Yardley seemed to consider this. She said, “Sir Henry really believes she is getting stronger?”
“He does,” Lady Heathway said. “I will show you his letter when we retire above stairs. She is able to walk much further than when the nurse started with her, her appetite has increased on account of it, and her complaints have gotten louder, which Sir Henry does not consider a bad sign.”
“I wish I had known,” Miss Yardley said quietly. “I do know that sometimes my mother may be prone to exaggerate, but her letter did sound so dire, she did sound so mistreated, as if she were being held as a prisoner. She has nobody else.”
“I sought to protect you from unpleasant matters,” Lady Heathway said, “and perhaps that has turned out to be a mistake. But really, Grace, I cannot think what possessed you to climb out a window. I must insist nothing like it ever occur again.”
Miss Yardley nodded, though George did not take this to be the hearty agreement they all might have hoped for.
Lady Heathway waved her hands and said, “Then we’ll say no more about it.”
George had listened, rather fascinated, to this conversation. One never knew how Lady Heathway would choose to view a thing. Let Lady Easton serve white soup and he would hear about it for days in consequence of her violent opinions about almonds. But let Miss Yardley climb down the side of the house and she’dsay no more about it?
She might think there was nothing more to be said, but he had a few things to add. “Wemay say no more about it, but Jacobs witnessed the entire episode—you can be sure he will say plenty about it. We could very well be on the precipice of a scandal.”
Miss Yardley looked curiously at him. “But I don’t think he would—”
“You don’t think he would…what? Tell all and sundry what he viewed? Devise a few bon mots to go along with it? Add and embellish for his own amusement?” George said heatedly. “He will do all of those things.”
Miss Yardley flinched, as if she had been stung. He hadn’t meant to have such an effect, but she was so naïve! Of course it would be talked of. What else did people like Jacobs do but be always looking about to find something to laugh at?
For the first time since this ghastly adventure began, Lady Heathway looked exceedingly shaken. “I hadn’t considered…what will the ladies say…”
Lord Heathway, unwilling that his butler drink absolutely all of his brandy, had poured himself a glass. “Well now, Penelope, you know your friends—they have something to say about everything. However, as it is their precious society involved, I suggest you close ranks and face it down. That Jacobs fellow, rich as he is, is only the son of a baron. You are a marchioness and Theodosia is a duchess—that ought to do it.”
“Yes,” Lady Heathway murmured, “close ranks. Theodosia will be the most helpful. The rest are not particularly fit for battle, but Theodosiaisand her duke will do whatever she asks. And you, my dear nephew, you will join us in the fight?”
George did not know precisely what his aunt was proposing, but felt both his aunt’s and Miss Yardley’s stares keenly.
“You might get him blackballed from White’s?” Lady Heathway asked hopefully.
“That would be the last thing we should do,” George said. “At the moment, he is feeling jolly with a jolly story to tell. A blackball would turn him from amused to enraged. My advice is, simply deny. He and his friends did not see what they saw. Some will believe you, some won’t, but it will give them all a way to side with you. And my uncle is right, you are a marchioness—most will not wish to cause you too much trouble.”
“That is right,” Lady Heathway said. “I am a marchioness. I must remember that I am more powerful than that little bug of a mister. If he goes too far, I will crush him under my heel.”
“That’s the spirit,” Lord Heathway said.
“It’s nearly daybreak,” Lady Heathway said. “We’d all best retire. Ranston, stay abed tomorrow—do not allow your nerves to get ahead of you.”
George thought that might be good advice for everybody as he saw rough waters coming toward them all. He was, as he always seemed to be, rather confused by Miss Yardley. What lady even thought to climb down a drainpipe? Had she really been intending to ride to Kent with only a groom? It was madness. And not at all what a blushing and stammering miss would dare to attempt. When he had accompanied his aunt to Kent, he’d been certain they would bring back a blushing and stammering miss. Whathadthey brought back?
Whether he understood her or not, one thing was clear: he could not predict what she would do next. He had a mind to put a watch on the house to ensure that no further bizarre escapes were attempted. They were to be a laughingstock for the foreseeable future, but there was no need to add further fuel to the fire.
*
Grace returned toher room exhausted, but with Sir Henry’s letter in hand. She struggled out of her ripped riding habit and into her nightdress, and then curled up in bed to read it.
My dearest Lady Heathway,
I am writing to update you on the treatments ongoing of Lady Barlow in Kent. As is so often the case, the lady in question has been opposed to every single remedy. How else do they suppose they got themselves as weak as a baby but by following their own inclinations? However, Nurse Maddington is made of stern stuff and drives the lady forward to good effect. At the beginning, Lady Barlow was barely able to walk twenty steps, now she is capable of above two hundred yards. Nurse Maddington reports that while the diet is complained of, most certainly Lady Barlow has gained in weight. As for the windows being opened, while the lady claims the air is somehow deadly to her, in fact she has regained a rosiness in her cheeks. Those windows are promptly opened at the reasonable hour of ten in the morning, which of course the lady claims is still the middle of the night. As for all the complaining she does, which the nurse says is at any moment that she is awake, it may be tedious but I do not perceive it a bad sign. Those who are too far gone generally don’t have the strength to complain very much. You were right to put me on the case, as her country doctor is terrified of her and allows her to direct what his opinions are.
I currently categorize this case as: positive outlook.
Sir Henry
