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Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ernest wrapped an arm about his grandmother’s shoulders and led her to a nearby bench. Jenny sat down beside her, taking her hand. The dowager’s knuckles turned white when she gripped Jenny’s Hand tightly.
She must be in a considerable amount of pain to grip her hand like that. Her gasps were loud and protracted. “We should take her home and call the physician. She once had difficulty breathing and I think it might be the same issue.” Ernest said. “I will carry her back to the carriage.”
He scooped the dowager up and marched in the direction of the carriage while Jenny and Daphne rushed behind him. Jenny was worried about the old woman. They had many differences but she did not wish to see her suffer. She did not wish to seeanyonesuffer.
Earnest placed her in the carriage, before turning to Jenny. "We should hurry,” he said, his eyes shadowed.
"I'll take care of her.” Jenny had begun to climb into the carriage when she remembered her friend. It was almost sundown and she did not want her return to her home to be delayed by the dowager’s condition. “Ernest, take Daphne home, please. I will take care of the duchess.”
He looked like he was not pleased with her request but he nodded and took Daphne’s arm. “I will meet you at the dowager’s house.”
“I can go home by myself, your grandmother needs you,” Daphne said and Jenny gave her a look.
“Your safety matters,” he said, leading her away from them and toward his horse. As the carriage rolled into motion, the dowager leaned into her seat and sighed, her coughs and gasps of air suddenly ceasing. Then she chortled.
Jenny blinked several times to understand her reality as the most impish grin spread across the dowager’s features. "What just happened? You are—"
"In extreme circumstances, extreme measures are often required,” she cut Jenny. “Let's see those two avoid each other now."
"Good heavens!" Jenny, equal parts relieved and shocked, found herself frowning at first then chuckling. "I never saw anything more convincing." She slumped in her seat, marveling at how impressive the dowager’s act had been.
"I knew you would choose to attend to me yourself and Ernest would be left to take her home. The plan was flawless.”
“It could have gone wrong,” Jenny said.
“I told you how stubborn that child is. Drastic measures must be put in place if we are to succeed." The dowager fanned herself. “This has been quite tiresome.”
"As impressive as your act has been, I must say that you were unfair. You had us worried.”
"Yes, well.” She allowed a small shrug. “That is not all, dear. I have someone watching at the Down Manor to witness their return. With a witness in hand, I can easily have rumors spread about Mr. Brighton and Miss Bexley."
“Why would you do something like that?” Jenny exclaimed.
“It is leverage should the match prove too difficult. I will only employ it when necessary.” The smugness on her face was enough to make Jenny believe she had a bit of madness in her.
"Ernest will have us both drawn and quartered if he ever finds out,” Jenny said.
“Oh, he won’t find out.”
* * *
“Have you heard the rumors, Your Grace?” Sarah asked, folding a thin strip of fabric and setting it down on the sofa beside Jenny.
“What rumors?” Jenny asked distractedly. She was perusing some dress catalogs Monsieur Raphael had had delivered to her to choose from for the upcoming ball she would be hosting as the Duchess of Seaton.
Mrs. Atwood had called upon her today and they were choosing the dress styles together in one of the small salons in the house. "The rumor about the Viscount of Down. His most recent scandal," Sarah replied.
"Is he not always embroiled in scandal, Sarah?" Mrs. Atwood asked.
"They say it is different this time. Bigger!" the girl announced, looking about the room as though to make sure they were alone before continuing. "Heard he's got someone with child."
"Good heavens!" Jenny’s attention had now been secured and she set down the catalog.
"That is not all, Your Grace. Also heard that it's a gently bred lady. There was a rumor that it was an opera singer but now we are sure it is a gently bred lady. Miss Bexley's lady’s maid, Polly, told me herself."
If one wanted news to travel fast, all one needed to do was tell a servant.
