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“Oh.” Hathor’s cheerfulness fell. “How tragic for them.”
“Yes, but at least the poor man is no longer suffering. I shall speak to your mother about when it is appropriate to send our condolences,” he replied and then looked to me. “Ah, Verity, Dr. Darrington has also left town…”
“What?” I stepped back down the stairs.
“Yes. Apparently, his father is ill, and he has gone to see him. He writes to apologize for the abruptness of his departure, and he does not know when he shall be able to return. His patients are in the care of—”
I could not hear anything else. It was as if the whole world had gone silent. I could not think, and I found myself unable to breathe.
He’d left me.
Just like that?
With so little care?
With no fight?
“Verity!”
I had not realized I was sinking to the floor until I felt a pair of arms around me. Whom they belonged to, I did not care. Even as they called out to me, as more and more people came to help me, I did not care. The world was spinning. I wished to scream and yet was silent. I wished for nothing more than to…to…cry. But I could not bring myself to do so.
What was this feeling?
“Quickly! Call for a doctor!” someone called around me.
Closing my eyes, I sought to escape into my dreams, but I found only nightmares there.
21
Theodore
The estate of the Marquess of Whitmear, my father, was called Wentwood House, and until this very day, I had never seen it with my own eyes. I knew where it was located—the edge of the Peak District in Cheshire—and how grand an estate it was. The grounds encompassed more than fourteen hundred acres but never had I beheld it, despite my father’s many attempts. Had I gone all my life without seeing it, I would not have minded. However, now that it was before me, I understood as never before how majestic the name of the man who had sired me truly was, as well as how extensive his property was.
His servants stood in front of the house, clearly expecting to greet Lady Whitmear. When I stepped out of her carriage, which she had insisted I take alone, a short man dressed in black with a balding head of gray hair, clearly the butler from his authority, stepped forward.
“And you are, sir?” he asked me. “Where is her ladyship?”
“My name is Dr. Theodore Darrington. Her ladyship sent me ahead to see Lord Whitmear.” I watched as his and the rest of the staff’s eyes widened.
“Welcome to Wentwood, Master Theodore. My name is Mr. Ralph Pierce, the head butler here. How was your journey?” He bowed his head, and the rest of the staff followed suit.
“Fine, and I am not master anything, simply a doctor here to see the marquess,” I corrected, not sure why he was suddenly so familiar with me.
“Forgive me, Master Theodore. The marquess stated that should you ever come to Wentwood, you were to be addressed as such. As the head butler, I must adhere to his lordship’s wishes.”
What?
“He said so?”
“Yes, a great many times. All of the staff are aware,” he replied and turned back to them. “Gather Master Theodore’s things and prepare a room. William, ride out and inform his lordship at once.”
“Ride out?” I looked at him. “Do you mean he is not here?”
“Yes, he and young Master Alexander have taken their horses into the fields.”
Now I was even further confused. How could he be on horseback? “Is the marquess not greatly ill?”
“Ill? Heaven forbid. As far as I know, his lordship is in fine health. He and Master Alexander ride almost daily.”
“That is not what I was told,” I whispered to myself as I turned back to look at the rolling hills in the distance. Part of me was looking for my own escape. I had prepared my mind for a man upon his sickbed. I’d been ready to stay and watch over him until he passed and then leave once more. I was not yet sure where to, but…now everything was amiss.
“Master Theodore, this way,” Mr. Pierce said, gesturing for me to go before him. They had already taken my things, so I had no choice but to follow inside. “I shall lead you to your rooms—”
“I think it is best if I wait for his lordship,” I interrupted. I would not feel comfortable until I understood what was going on. No, even then, I doubted I would be able to feel comfortable here. Standing upon the checkered tiles, I felt myself to be a pawn in whatever game Lady Whitmear was playing. Why did she wish me to come here?
“The study then. Do you desire tea?” he questioned, and though he was only doing his job, it felt…unnerving.
“Thank you, but no. I will simply wait.” I followed him to the engraved double doors. He opened them both before allowing me in.
