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Chapter29
Sewing a patch to cover James’s injured eye had only taken a quarter hour. It was quick work to hem in the edges of a piece of Mrs. Prescott’s scrap fabric and attach a string for James to tie around his head. Dr. Settle was long since gone when I returned to the drawing room, black fabric patch in tow.
Lady Edith stood near the window upon my entrance, Benedict and Henry seated on the couch, and Mrs. Moulton—her trip extended a few days for recuperation after being summoned from York, as was proper—sipping tea on a plush seat beside the cold hearth. James, however, was absent.
Henry glanced up. “He has gone to rest upstairs,” he explained, correctly assuming who I was searching the room for. “Dr. Settle does not want him to exert his eye more than necessary today.”
Benedict snorted. “How does one exert their eye, exactly? Rolling it in exasperation too frequently?”
“Unless you wish for your brother to sport a patch at the ball in three days, I expect more support from you in this time of healing.”
“He might wish to wear it anyway, Mother. Is it not dashing?” Benedict looked to me. “Perhaps I can request one as well?”
I shook my head at him, but my smile came unbidden.
“Mind yourself,” Lady Edith requested, “or you will give Mrs. Moulton the worst opinion of us.”
Benedict grinned to the headmistress, who was only now glancing up from her tea, her cheeks pinking. “Mrs. Moulton is too agreeable to think ill of you, Mother, based on my behavior, I am sure.”
“All too right,” the headmistress replied.
Henry watched me linger in the doorway. “Will you take the patch to him?” he asked.
“I should.” Though I’d been distracted by Benedict.
“Have you forgotten your way?” Benedict asked, nothing but false concern.
I shot him a wry smile. “No. In fact, I do believe I have only gotten lost twice this week.”
“Progress, indeed,” he said stoutly.
Lady Edith did not seem to find humor in any of these exchanges and crossed the room toward me. “I will accompany you part of the way. I wish to speak to Mrs. Prescott.”
I waited near the door, and we left together. It was not until we were a good distance away from the drawing room when she spoke again. “James’s eye, it will heal?”
Had he not told his mother the details of the doctor’s visit? “Dr. Settle believes so. Though, the extent of the damage will not be made known until tomorrow.”
She let out a sigh. “What a relief. Tomorrow cannot arrive soon enough.”
“Indeed.”
The quiet stretched between us, and I wondered if she wanted me to bring up the topic of the maids, or if she preferred to pretend it had not happened. I could not do so, however—pretending something did not occur would not actually erase it from existence—and when we reached the top of the grand staircase, I turned to her. “Has Molly left the house already?”
“Yes. Actually, Mrs. Prescott informed me shortly after the doctor’s departure that there were two small trinkets found among the things in her trunk. One of Benedict’s jeweled snuff boxes, and a small figurine from my chamber.”
“If only I’d thought to have their trunks searched from the beginning, we could have avoided the hassle of dismissing the wrong girl.”
Lady Edith was quiet for a moment. She looked away. “If I had not placed the burden of the situation entirely on your shoulders, I might have suggested that very thing instead of watching you manage it poorly. My pride had taken a hit, and I hope you will forgive the thoughtless way I left you to handle things.”
Sweet vindication soared through my chest, humility quickly at its heels. I would not boast this win, for I could see that it took a great deal of humbling for my mother-in-law to admit her mistake.
I, too, carried some blame. “If I would only have asked for help instead of needing to prove my worthiness, we could have worked together to find the best solution.”
“I do not pretend to be perfect,” Lady Edith said.
I did my best to hide my astonishment at that, for I was certain all she had done since my arrival at Chelton was do her best to portray perfection, both inside and outside the home.
“But I can admit when I have erred.” She drew in a shaky breath, and I could see how difficult this was for her. “I should not have told you to prove yourself, Felicity. It was not my place to say whether or not you were worthy of the callings you already held. That of mistress in this house, and that of James’s wife.”
