“Aunt,” she said, “while you were above stairs, did you happen to say something about whales capsizing his boat?”
“Whales? Goodness, I suppose I did. Not his boat, though. Lord Poppin ended up in the lake and I joked that perhaps the whales he’s always going on about put him there.”
“I heard you say it,” Cordelia said. “Lord Harveston’s room must be just above us.”
Miss Mayton tapped her chin. “Let us see, yes, three doors down from the landing. Yes it must be. But goodness, in an old house like this I am surprised you can hear anything from above.”
“It is the fireplace,” Cordelia said. “Remember, Theodora told us of the sound traveling through the chimneys so we would not be alarmed if we heard something.”
“Oh I see,” Miss Mayton said. “Yes, indeed, I was standing by the fireplace when I mentioned the whales. Shall you talk to him through the chimney, then?”
Cordelia had been thinking that very thing, but it seemed an impossibility. What on earth was she to do—just call into it?
“I do not know,” she said. “I would like to, but he might think it very forward. He might not like it. And then, what would I say? He likely does not even know I can hear anything. It might feel an invasion of privacy.”
Miss Mayton shrugged. “If anybody wanted their privacy invaded, I think it would be Lord Harveston just now. You saw how careful he was to carry you up the stairs last evening. I think he is…on the verge.”
“On the verge?” Cordelia whispered.
“On the very verge,” Miss Mayton said.
Cordelia’s aunt hopped up and went to the mantel. She bent down and said loudly, “Now Cordelia, this is a very pleasant spot just here next to the fireplace, away from the draft at the window. After Lynette has brought your dinner, I will have to go down for my own and you will be quite alone for a few hours. Alone, at least a few hours starting at seven. I suggest you sit here, right by the fireplace, with that intellectual book you are reading.”
Miss Mayton rose and said, “That ought to do it, I think.”
“I would say so,” Cordelia said, laughing.
Now, if only Lord Harveston had heard, and would say something.
If only he really was on the very verge and would say something.
*
Percival had takenthe laudanum as, just as the doctor had predicted, his head had begun to pound.
He lay back and tried to empty his mind of the various irritations that were currently haunting it. He would like to throttle Poppin, who he was certain was even now explaining that he was not at fault.
He would like to speak to Lady Cordelia. Heshouldbe speaking to Lady Cordelia, had Poppin not tripped her with an ottoman and then run his boat down in the lake.
Now they were both confined to their rooms and he had no chance at all.
The duke had been in and made light of the whole thing, but then admitted he could not like Poppin. The fellow had injured two of his guests and he just could not like that at all. He’d also grown weary of hearing about whales.
The duchess was in a right temper with the fellow and said she would like Lord Poppin to be popped right out of her house.
If it was any consolation, Lord Poppin would not be invited back.
Percival had supposed that was the only consolation he would get, but then the duke had sent up a very good bottle of wine, a plate of excellent cheeses, and a loaf of fresh-baked bread. That, combined with the laudanum, soothed a little.
But not entirely. All his plans had gone up in a puff of smoke. He must have a new plan, but when would the two of them be able to leave their rooms?
He still had time, he reminded himself. The house party had only just begun and was to go on for a fortnight.
As Jameston fiddled with this thing and that, he updated Percival on the Mrs. Macklethorpe situation, which he’d all but forgot about.
Jameston had located the local schoolmaster and made arrangements there, then went to visit Mrs. Macklethorpe and informed her of the arrangements.
Jameston said the lady was very grateful, but as much as he said Lord Harveston had made the arrangements, he was sorry to say the lady insisted on giving Lady Cordelia all the credit.
