Page 19 of Mistress of Misfortune

Chapter 5

Breakfast at Dredthorne, Meredith discovered, proved as pleasing as dinner, with one unexpected, added delight—Colonel Thorne had it served on the garden terrace. While the flower beds had been cleared in preparation for the winter, fall leaves still adorned most of the trees. A few birds flitted about the branches as they chirped and sang. The sun embellished the ground with pale golden light, adding a subtle glow to the house’s weathered outer walls.

“What a marvelous notion to breakfast out here,” Meredith told the colonel and her cousin as she joined them. “How lovely it smells out here from the rain.”

“I thought you might approve.” Thorne, whose dark riding coat, buff leather breeches and dusty boots implied he had begun his morning on horseback, sat down across from her. “I have sent my stablemaster to hire suitable transport for you both. Miss Branwen, would you be so kind as to reassure Miss Starling’s parents as to her safe accommodations here at Dredthorne?”

“That was my plan, Colonel.” Lucetta gave Meredith a sideways glance. “I will explain everything, of course.”

“As you wish, Cousin.” She had agreed to do so last night, so she would have to keep her word, but she still disliked the entire scheme. To keep from showing her resentment she turned to inspect a platter of rice and fish being offered by the footman.

“I am curious, Colonel.” The older woman took a sip of her spiced tea before she nodded at the house. “What do you plan to do with the library Meredith found in your dining room?”

He frowned. “I have little time for reading. Once my steward sees to repairing the window, I will summon a bookseller to make an offer for the lot.”

“Not before you catalog the contents, surely,” Meredith protested. As his brows rose she quickly added, “Some of the editions could be very valuable, and do you not wish to first examine Mr. Emerson Thorne’s journals?”

“At present the house demands all my attention.” The colonel’s gaze shifted above her head, and his mouth thinned. “Over time a roof leak has caused flooring to rot in the servants’ quarters and in other rooms below them. I must assess the extent of the damage, and procure workmen to see to the repairs. The number of livable cottages remains inadequate, and my men cannot spend the winter sleeping in the stables.”

“Certainly not.” Lucetta looked as if she approved. “If you need recommendations for the workmen, my brother knows every man of worth in his parish. He would be happy to assist.”

They were talking as if the matter were decided, Meredith thought. “I catalogued our family library for my father last spring, Colonel. It does take time, but to know what you possess makes the effort worthwhile. I found several valuable first editions that belonged to my great-grandfather that Papa had never seen.”

Thorne’s stern expression softened. “If you truly wish to see it done, Miss Starling, perhaps you should undertake the work. You do have the necessary experience and knowledge, and you discovered the library. If you are agreeable, the task is yours.”

The prospect of returning to Dredthorne and spending more time within its walls made only one answer possible for Meredith. “I would be delighted, Colonel.”

“Then we must come to an amicable arrangement.” As Lucetta stiffened the colonel turned his bright blue gaze on her. “Miss Branwen, if you are not otherwise engaged, would you be willing to extend your services as chaperone to your cousin?”

The older woman looked as if she intended to refuse. At that moment the colonel’s steward came to the table with a bowl of sliced berries. He met Lucetta’s gaze and gave her a slight bow before retreating.

Why, they like each other,Meredith thought, recalling that the steward had served her cousin tea and cakes.

Lucetta inclined her head toward Harshad before she regarded Thorne. “Perhaps we might first discuss this in more practical detail before I answer. If we are to do this work, how often would you wish us to come to the house, and where would it be done? Surely not in that tiny hidden room.”

As they spoke about the arrangements Meredith could barely contain her excitement. Spending a night at Dredthorne had been a blessing, not a curse. For once her bad luck had resulted in granting her dearest wish. She would be returning to Dredthorne to explore the mystery of the hidden library, where doubtless she would uncover new wonders.

“Very well,” Lucetta said at last. “If we are not otherwise engaged, Meredith, then we may come any time during the day that we wish. I suggest we work from mid-morning until four. The colonel will provide luncheon, and obtain a rig for my use so I may collect you and take you home.”

They didn’t trust her to drive herself, she realized, her high spirits deflating a little. Having Lucetta at the reins would provide reassurance for her mother, however, who might otherwise forbid Meredith’s return. “That sounds sensible.”

They finished the meal in a companionable silence, at which point the stable master arrived with the hired carriage. Thorne walked out with them to the drive, where he helped Lucetta up before taking Meredith’s hand in his.

The bright sun made his eyes glitter like snow on a clear lake, but the smile he gave her seemed warmly genuine. “Until we meet again, Miss Starling, tread carefully in those slippers.”

“I will, Colonel Thorne. Thank you for everything.” Her heart skipped a beat as he bowed over her hand, and for a moment she thought he might kiss her knuckles. But no, he only straightened and helped her into the carriage.

As the driver started away, Meredith turned to look back. For once the house didn’t captivate her attention; for Thorne himself effortlessly held her gaze. He seemed as confident and aloof as before, but the strangest sense of having abandoned him came over her.

Soon I will return. This is where I belong.

The notion seemed terribly presumptuous, but Meredith could not remember the last time she had felt as safe as she did at Dredthorne Hall. Every day in her life had begun with her trapped between hope and despair. Would she go unscathed, or be struck down again by her bad luck? Sometimes it had taken all of her nerve simply to leave her bedchamber.

When she had tripped and fallen down the stairs last month, Meredith remembered her last thought before blacking out was wishing her neck would break, and that would be the last of all her terrible misfortunes. Now that she had come inside this amazing house, she realized how foolish her dark thoughts had been.

There is so much more to know in this world.

With this endeavor Meredith would also have more time to spend with her cousin, whom she suspected needed a confidante. Lucetta might present herself as rigid and stern, but beneath that façade lay a kind, generous soul. Something had happened to her, some heavy burden that she carried alone. Meredith felt sure she could be of help to her cousin, and possibly free her of the shadows from the past that still haunted her.