Lady Elizabeth's Comet (7 page)

"Early days," Charles repeated, tugging at his cravat and ruining its careful creases. "I
daresay you wonder why I brought Liz, er, Lady Elizabeth." He darted me a beseeching glance,
which I refused to meet.

Clanross said coolly, "You wanted a witness from the family."

Charles blinked. "Partly, my lord. You must remember, however, that it was Lady
Elizabeth who summoned me to attend you. For that reason I prefer that she, too, hear what I
must say."

"You may take it I remember little. Pray continue."

"Very well." Charles stood suddenly and held out a small, gleaming chunk of metal. I
recognised it as the blood-smirched object that had caused Sims to lose his breakfast. "I cut that
from the muscles of your back nearly ten days ago, my lord."

"Go on."

Charles sat again, turning the fragment in his blunt-tipped fingers. "You seem to have
retained full power of motion and full sensation in your lower limbs. I see no reason why you
should not eventually walk. It will be a slow process, however, and I must warn you that the
damage to the muscles of the back was extensive both before, and as a result of, the operation. I
consider it justified, even inescapable in the circumstances, but you cannot expect such an insult
to the body to be without consequences."

When Clanross said nothing, Charles plunged on unhappily, "In layman's terms, the use
of your left arm will be further impaired, your back will remain weak, and you will suffer spasms
of both the damaged and the remaining uninjured muscles in the area--in short, recurring severe
backaches."

Bevis let out a long breath.

"Backaches?" Clanross's voice seemed to come from an immense distance.

"Yes. I'm sorry, my lord." Charles sounded human again and quite miserable. "Mine is a
preliminary diagnosis, of course. I beg you will call in specialists. Take another opinion, at least.
I have prepared a list of eminent London practitioners and two Scots surgeons I recommend
highly. M. Lefebvre in Lausanne is also well regarded."

"No doubt." Clanross had closed his eyes momentarily and now opened them. "Just
now, however, I trust that you will continue in your present capacity. I am obliged to you."

Charles produced a sound that can only be described as "whew!" I felt some sympathy;
it was followed immediately by exasperation. Plainly he had not needed me as a shield.

Bevis, ever tactful, stepped into the breach and suggested that we all take some
refreshment. Charles accepted the offer of sherry with enthusiasm. I declined sherry, tea, coffee,
and ratafia very firmly. At any moment it was going to occur to Clanross that he ought to cover
me with gratitude.

Under the soothing influence of Bevis's chatter, Charles expanded sufficiently to
describe his training at Edinburgh, where he had eaten quantities of oatmeal porridge and nearly
frozen to death. Neither Clanross nor I contributed to the merriment. Indeed, Clanross seemed to
have drifted off to sleep. Gradually I began to be less apprehensive so that when he did address
me I jumped.

"Lady Elizabeth."

I braced myself.

"Have you found a governess yet?"

I stared.

"For your sisters," he added helpfully.

I gathered my wits. "Yes, as it happens. She is a naturalist and was engaged in admiring
the giant fir by the carriageway when we drove up to Brecon."

That seemed to disconcert him but he made a swift recover. "Splendid. Tell her to take a
look at the sequoia by the gazebo"

"How could you know of that?"

He opened his eyes wide. "There's a plan of the grounds on the wall of the estate room.
It is hung so that every time I lay down there I was confronted with it. I believe I memorised
it."

I remembered the plan. "It doesn't show Uncle Harry Whinyeats's ha-ha," I said
feebly.

"A rare oversight, I'm sure."

"That reminds me, Clanross. Do you object to my borrowing your Linnaeus? Miss
Bluestone appears to think any genteel establishment requires his Works."

"By all means," Clanross said politely. "Bevis had a fire built in the bookroom this
morning. Ring for Jenkins, will you, Bevis?"

I made my escape to the great clammy Brecon library.

Charles was making his farewells as I returned to the withdrawing room, and I joined in
with enthusiasm. Clanross looked exceedingly weary.

Bevis came down with us and shook Charles's hand as we awaited the gig.

"Tom ain't the only one obliged to you, Wharton. You're sure he'll walk?"

"Yes. He'll require crutches at first, but there's no loss of motion that I can detect."

"These are splendid news. Thank you very much. Liz, tonight?" He took my hand.

"You mean to desert Clanross again?"

"He falls asleep in the middle of rational conversation," Bevis said gravely, "and I can't
abide gruel."

Charles chattered like a daw all the way down the drive. His verdict, it seemed, was far
less severe than Clanross had anticipated. The visit had restored Charles's confidence. I was so
pleased at that, I forgot to scold him for entrapping me in an embarrassing situation. I did avoid
inviting him to dinner.

As Miss Bluestone had predicted, the twins appeared at teatime, quite soaked. Jean had
begun to sniffle. They were muddy, bramble-scratched, and had twigs in their flaming hair.
When I saw their splotched freckles and woebegone faces, the improving sermon I had prepared
for them flew out of my head and I began to laugh. They looked offended. Miss Bluestone
rescued me. She greeted them as if their disappearance were nothing out of the ordinary and
towed them firmly up to their room for a wash.

Some three hours later, as I was dressing for dinner, there was a scratch at my door and
Dobbins showed Miss Bluestone in.

She was dressed in an anonymous dark garment that shouted "governess" or
"companion" or "spinster in reduced circumstances." I averted my eyes. "What is it,
ma'am?"

"Lady Jean is a trifle unwell, my lady. I have sent her to bed with hot bricks and lemon
tea. I thought perhaps I should sit with her rather than join you."

"Maggie can amuse her." I twisted a diamond earbob in place and caught her
disapproving look in the mirror. "Maggie had the cold last week. They exchange their disorders
as well as their clothes, books, sweets, and unspeakable pranks."

Her stern look smoothed. "In that case, I shall be pleased to join you. It is my custom to
dine with my charges..."

I interrupted. "It's
my
custom to dine with your charges, too, Miss Bluestone.
We all dine together. There's usually no one but Mrs. Finch and myself to be shocked by the
twins' lapses. Tonight, however, Lord Bevis joins our party and the girls won't be ready for such
a test for some time. He teazes them and they giggle."

"Ah."

"And Jean's cold..." I daubed otto of roses on my wrists. Sweet, but I like it.

"Ah, I see." She beamed at me. "I approve entirely, my lady."

"Thank you." I found her approval startling. One's employees are not called upon to
approve or disapprove one's conduct. What an unusual woman. Perhaps she would have
sufficient firmness of character to control my hoyden sisters.

I rose. "Shall we go down? Lord Bevis will come early unless I miss my guess, and I
dislike keeping a starving man from his dinner."

"That is Viscount Bevis, is it not?" Miss Bluestone pulled her lace fichu down firmly
and patted her rigid coif. "The earl of Dunarvon's heir?"

I nodded.

"I had Lady Sarah and Lady Barbara Tyrell in my charge four years ago. Charming
girls. Heads like day-old chicks."

I wondered how Bevis would regard this description of his sisters, who were known to
their ravished admirers as the Graces.

The future began to look rosy. Maggie and Jean would grow up paragons of botany and
tact, Miss Bluestone and Alice could companion one another, and I should discover a comet. I let
my phantasy flow. Alice and Miss Bluestone chatted.

Bevis arrived in a cheerful mood and looked even handsomer than usual, with his curly
brown locks artfully disarranged, his cravat in a
trone d'amour
and his evening clothes
smoothed to show every muscle and joint to perfection. Miss Bluestone's eyes brightened at the
sight, and Alice purred. Nor was I unmoved.

"You're very fine tonight." I gave him my hand.

He kissed it. "By Jove, yes. My man, Lovelady, showed himself at last. How d'ye do,
Mrs. Finch?"

Alice fluttered.

I intervened lest she swoon. "Miss Bluestone, may I present Lord Bevis? Miss Bluestone
is to undertake the twins' education."

"Charmed." Bevis made her a graceful bow, but I could tell from the glazed look in his
eyes that he was savouring the moustache.

"I'm delighted to make your acquaintance, my lord. I was in your mama's employ for a
brief time, but I believe you were then abroad."

Bevis's face took on the extremely blank look he assumed when it would be rude to
burst into laughter. "Miss Bluestone. Of course. The girls writ me of you."

"Nothing good, I daresay," Miss Bluestone said shrewdly. "I took them through their
paces in smart order. Good-natured young ladies but not at all bookish."

At that Bevis did laugh. "Ignorant as a pair of savages, ma'am. Fortunately, it don't
matter. Sarah's to be wed in May to George Rundle, and I daresay Bab will follow in due course.
M'mother talks of taking the two of them to Paris in the spring. One last fling for Sal."

"It is to be hoped their accents have improved."

Bevis grinned. "Shall I give m'mother your regards, Miss Bluestone?"

"If you will, my lord."

"Dinner is served."

"Thank you, Agnew." I gathered my reticule and shawl and Bevis trailed us out.

Cook had outdone herself. We drank the clear soup in reverent silence. The fish flaked
from the bone.

"Bliss," Bevis uttered indistinctly. "Dare I hope?"

"Roast saddle of mutton with prawns in waxed baskets and escallops of veal."

"Ahhhhhh."

"Does Clanross's cook not feed you at all?"

"Her breakfasts are just passable. She does rather a nice line in devilled kidneys."

"Perhaps Clanross will hire a proper chef when he's feeling more the thing."

Bevis shook his head sadly. "Not Tom. His notion of a snug dinner is half a boiled
chicken. No palate either. I left him quaffing an elderly bottle of champagne."

"With gruel?"

"Dash it, the poor chap had to celebrate, hadn't he? Took a glass of the ghastly stuff
myself."

Miss Bluestone was regarding us with bird-like interest.

Alice said, "May we take it his lordship has heard good news?"

Bevis stared. "Good God, ma'am, did Elizabeth not inform you? Wharton told him this
afternoon he'll be able to walk after all. You astonish me, Liz."

"I ought to have ordered up illuminations," I murmured. "I am sorry, Alice, but what
with the girls' antics and Miss Bluestone's arrival and Jean's sniffles, it slipped my mind."

"His lordship's illness was grave?" Miss Bluestone ventured. We all explained, making
allowance for the fact that we were at table, just how grave it had been, and Miss Bluestone was
suitably shocked.

"Lady Jean showed great presence of mind."

"She did indeed," I said warmly.

"Tom ought to settle an abbey on her," Bevis added. "I told him so."

"Will he?"

Bevis laughed. "He said that he doubts her ladyship is of a sufficiently cloistered
disposition, but if she wants an abbey she shall have it."

"You know, Bevis, if he's set on endowing someone it ought to be Charles."

Bevis speared a savoury bite of roast mutton. "Does Wharton want a dower?"

"His gifts are wasted at Hazeldell."

"What are you suggesting, Liz?"

"Charles asked Papa to set up an infirmary and surgery for the Chacton millhands. Papa
always held back because he disliked interfering with Mr. Chacton's workers."

Bevis frowned. "Why should Chacton object?"

"He doesn't believe in coddling his workers. Why preserving them in reasonably good
health should constitute coddling I could never grasp."

Bevis looked thoughtful. "Had a colonel like that. Used to flog one of the men every
fortnight regular as clockwork. Didn't matter that none of 'em had done anything sufficiently bad
to warrant it. Said it was good for discipline, kept 'em on the
qui vive.
I could never see
it myself."

"Mr. Chacton is not that wilful. I dislike him, but I believe he is amenable to
reason."

"I'll tell Tom about your idea. Dashed good plan."

"He should talk it over with Charles. Tell him, whatever he does, not to let Charles near
Mr. Chacton. Charles has no tact at all."

"Right you are."

The conversation turned to other matters. Before he made his
adieux,
Bevis
announced he had formed the intention of staying awhile longer at Brecon. I was glad. I would
have been glad even if it hadn't continued to rain.

Having sped Bevis on his way, we made for the stairs. Alice stifled a yawn. "Do you
think Lord Clanross will approve Miss Bluestone?"

"Why not?"

She had implanted an idea, however, which began to trouble me after I retired. Did
Clanross wish to examine Miss Bluestone? I had taken his approval for granted. Perhaps I ought
not. I turned the matter over in my mind until I grew exasperated with myself, so I rose and
dashed off a graceful little note to Clanross, offering to bring Miss Bluestone to him for
cross-examination.

I sent the note next morning by Jem and went into the schoolroom to see how the new
regime flourished. Maggie looked up briefly from a sketch she was making, grunted, and bent to
her task.

I craned over her shoulder. "What is it?"

"A map of Brecon wood on topographic principles," she replied loftily. "Can't you tell? I
say, Liz, Jean has lost her voice." She began imitating her sister's croaks.