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“Give those to me and go to your chambers,” Gregory barked at her.
“What? No! This is not my fault…”
“Not your fault? I specifically told younotto take the girls tobogganing.”
“Papa, Papa! Honestly, it was no fault of Holly’s. This is all my own doing,” Libby interrupted, highly distressed. “Silas warned us not to go down the steeper slope, and Holly reminded us of that too, but I didn’t listen. I wanted to show her that I was not a little girl anymore and that I could manage it. I’m s-so s-sorry, Holly.” she apologised, weeping.
“I understand, and all is forgiven, Libby. You can prove that you are a very grown-up girl in a moment because this is going to sting like the very blazes.”
Before Gregory could interfere, she gently began to dab at the child’s wounds using the wet cloth. Libby shrieked and kicked out, but Gregory immediately leant in and held his daughter’s legs still, so that Holly could do what needed to be done and clean the cuts. Nanny crossed quickly to Libby’s other side and took her charge’s hands within her grasp, cooing reassurance.
“The wounds seem to be bleeding even more now that Libby has warmed up. I wonder… You there,” Holly called across the room to where a footman hovered by the door. “Would you please send someone outside to fill a pillowcase with snow— Make sure it is clean. The lighter and powdery the better. I think the cold might slow the bleeding,”
“Holly,” Libby whimpered.
“Yes, darling, I am right here,” she answered.
“I am s-so sorry. I didn’t mean to get you into t-trouble with Papa.Ouch…my legs hurt-t!” she ended on a wail.
“Nanny, take the younger girls up to the nursery. It is nearly time for their lunch,” Gregory ordered.
“No, Papa, I want to stay here with Libby,” Kitty argued.
“I don’t; I isveryhungry,” Clemmy stated firmly.
Nanny brooked no refusal. Taking hold of the complaining Kitty in one hand and Clemmy with the other, she led them away.
The room felt calmer and less crowded once they’d left.
The footman returned with a pillow sham filled with snow which Gregory took and placed gently over Libby’s legs.
Mrs. Lane returned with a warm poultice. “I have discovered some laudanum downstairs, do you think a half dose might help the young lady, milord?” the housekeeper asked.
“Yes, I think that would be a great help, thank you.” Gregory replied, just as Holly spoke.
“That would be very helpful, thank you, Mrs Lane.” She smiled across at Gregory, but although he glanced at her, his expression was stony.
Libby slept after she’d taken a teaspoon of the drug, and Gregory dismissed the butler and housekeeper, asking them to keep a look out for the doctor.
With just the three of them remaining and Libby sound asleep, Gregory turned to Holly.
“Your hoydenish behaviour is the cause of this. I order you to your chamber where you will remain until I come to mete out the punishment you richly deserve for such deliberate defiance.”
“Gregory, I am sorry Libby was hurt, but—”
“No enough! You will do as I bid, madam, or rue the consequences.” He drew himself to full height and towered over her.
With a sob in her throat, she dashed from the room.
CHAPTER13
Holly considered journeying to her parents in London, but instinctively knew they would send her back to Gregory, post-haste. There would be no excuse acceptable to them that warranted a wife leaving her husband. Besides, the inclement weather prevented all hope of travel.
Pacing in her room, she crossed to the window to admire the panoramic winter landscape of the parkland below. Snow was falling once again, fusing the line betwixt land and sky in a soft white blur. Even if she wanted to leave, the roads would be impassable. She guessed the blanket of snow to be at least a foot in depth.
There was a tap at the door, and Matilda entered.
“The master sent me, milady,” she explained, bobbing a curtsy.
