Secrets of the Heart (14 page)

“I’ll enjoy the visit with Edna. I haven’t seen her in a month. Time flies away so fast. Don’t be surprised if she invites us all to dinner. She loves cooking, and I’m sure she’d be more than pleased if you’d consider being her guests.”

“Only if she insists, Agnes. We don’t want to put her out. This will do nicely, Donavan,” Madeline said when they reached the dressmaker’s shop. “We will meet you here after tea.”

Donavan brought the horses to a stop. “Yes, yer ladyship.” He assisted each of them out of the carriage. “I will help Agnes until then.”

The two friends shopped the day away, stopping only long enough for tea. Madeline thought that the afternoon passed pleasantly. She thoroughly enjoyed herself, though her arm began to ache a bit. She stopped at the local apothecary for some laudanum. By tonight she might need the respite.

Standing outside the last dressmaker shop, arms filled with her purchases, Madeline said, “Hally, I think it’s time we meet Agnes and Donavan.”

“Agreed. One more parcel to juggle will be quite impossible.”

“I’d say we had a rather productive afternoon. Thank you for helping me with some of these packages.” She mentally ticked off the purchases: a lovely lavender bonnet, new material for an evening dress, a most beautiful pair of gold slippers, and a new novel. “I’m getting tired of not having the full use of this arm yet.” Just then she spotted Agnes and Donavan. Agnes waved and bustled through the crowded street.

“I’ve ordered all the necessities for your mother, Lady Madeline, and also placed her order for the butcher.” Agnes and Donavan helped Madeline and Hally secure their purchases in the carriage. Agnes turned to Madeline. “I know it’s a most unusual circumstance, Lady Madeline and Lady Gilling, but my sister insists that you come take your rest and enjoy dinner at her inn before returning to Richfield.”

“That sounds lovely, Agnes,” Madeline said with a sigh. With a hand of assistance from Donavan she seated herself and adjusted her clothing. “Does it suit you, Countess?”

“Indeed. Let us not tarry another moment.”

“Did you hear that, Donavan?” Agnes asked. “Back to Riley Street and my sister’s inn. And be quick about it. She might agree to feed you if you can wipe that gloom off your face.”

Donavan adopted a very pretentious grin. “I’ll see what I can do for ye, Agnes.”

In less than ten minutes Donavan stopped the carriage in front of a lovely building. A wooden sign, adorned with the image of a blue swan taking flight, hung over the doorway.

“This is the Blue Swan Inn, your ladyships,” Agnes said proudly. “My sister’s establishment. O’course she gives her husband a bit of credit for the running of it too. But make no mistake about who’s in charge,” she said smugly.

“Agnes, in all these years, you never told me your sister was the proprietor of such a delightful place.”

“’Tis not the thing one speaks of overmuch, Lady Madeline.”

Someone peeked through a curtain. Before Madeline could step out of the carriage, a younger version of Agnes came out to greet them. She was a bit taller and thinner with her hair up in a bun and rugged cheeks.

“So, Agnes, me dear, may I count on two more guests for dinner?”

“Indeed you may, and wise women they be for it. Edna, I would like you to meet Lady Madeline of Richfield and her friend, the Countess of Gilling. Your ladyships, my sister, Edna Hogarth.”

“Beg pardon, I forget my manners.” Edna quickly curtsied to Madeline and Hally. “Ladies, you are most welcome.”

“And most appreciative,” Madeline added.

Agnes beamed.

“It’s a rare treat indeed when I get company the likes o’ you, Lady Madeline and Lady Gilling.” Edna grinned broadly, displaying a large gap between her front teeth.

“Your offer is very kind, Mrs. Hogarth.”

“Come, come,” Edna said, waving them out of the carriage. “Welcome to the Blue Swan Inn. I’ll show ye where ye can freshen up a wee bit, if ye like. Agnes, send yer driver around back, and one of the stable lads will be out to take care o’ the horse.”

Agnes and Donavan carefully assisted Madeline and Hally down from the carriage. “You two must not coddle us any longer,” Hally said kindly. “We are doing quite well.”

“It don’t hurt to be cautious, Countess,” Agnes said, ushering them into her sister’s home. “Ye bumped yer head just yesterday.”

“Now, yer ladyships,” Edna directed. “Ye can go upstairs and have a rest. It’ll take me a bit o’ time to prepare the meal I’ll be feeding ye, but I know ye’ll like it.”

Madeline smiled. “Mrs. Hogarth, you are very gracious. It is extremely rude of us to impose on you.”

“Bah! ’Tis no bother at all. Agnes and I will visit in the kitchen while I cook after she helps ye out o’ those lovely dresses. The first room at the top o’ the stairs to yer right is open and ready for com pany. Make yerselves comfortable.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Hogarth. That sounds wonderful,” Hally said.

The two friends climbed the steps with Agnes lumbering behind them to the second floor where they entered a bright, cheerful yellow room. The window was open, and the curtains puffed out from the light breeze as though friendly arms reached toward them in welcome.

“This is delightful,” Madeline said.

“Now let me get both of ye out of these fine walking dresses before you take a rest. It wouldn’t do to appear in public all wrinkled. I’ll help ye dress when dinner’s ready.” Agnes swiftly completed her duties and left the room.

Madeline sat down on one of the two single beds and unlaced her shoes until she could slide out her stocking-covered feet. “Ah, that feels better,” she said, rubbing her toes. “My feet were almost numb from walking.”

Hally sat on the other bed, massaging her temples. “Ecstasy, it’s pure ecstasy, to stretch out for even a few moments.”

“Your head aches. You’ve been putting on a brave front for me. You shouldn’t have, Hally. I’m so sorry.”

“Rubbish. Nothing a few moments of rest won’t cure.”

“Just the same, I don’t want you overdoing it on my behalf,” Madeline protested. “You must rest.”

“It will take time to prepare dinner for unexpected guests,” Hally said, closing her eyes. “But Mrs. Hogarth seems to be up for the challenge.”

“Not too long, I hope. I’m starving,” Madeline said, and quickly removed her stockings.

Hally yawned. “You must be catching my appetite.”

“You are a bad influence.” Madeline laughed. And she too stretched out on her bed, relishing the respite after a busy afternoon of shopping.

Devlin and Melton walked up the steps of the Blue Swan and opened the door, stepping into the entryway. The aroma of Mrs. Hogarth’s cooking filled the air. “Dinner smells better than usual, and usual is excellent.” Exhausted and rattled by the events at the asylum, Devlin looked forward to a nourishing, well-cooked meal.

Melton sniffed the air. “Fresh bread, beef, and roasting pheasant if I’m not mistaken. I’m ravenous.”

Edna and Agnes came out of the kitchen, their arms filled with dishes and silverware. “Look what the wind’s chased in, Agnes,” Edna said, rushing into the dining room. “I’ll wager yer stomachs are clamorin’ up a storm.”

“We cannot disagree,” Devlin said. “It appears you are expecting more guests tonight.”

“Agnes, this is Lord Ravensmoore and Mr. Melton from the hospital. Gentlemen, me sister, the widow Agnes Moss.”

“Why, Lord Ravensmoore,” Agnes said in surprise, dropping several pieces of silverware as she attempted to curtsy. “Wasn’t ye the one who attended my Lady Madeline the day she fell at the hunt?”

“It was me, Mrs. Moss. How did you know?”

“I’m in service at Richfield. I was there the day ye brought her home.”

“How is Lady Madeline?”

“Oh, she’s much better, she’s—” Agnes was unable to finish due to a discreet, but well-placed elbow in the ribs delivered by her sister.

Devlin caught the exchange and wondered what they were up to.

Edna picked up where Agnes had left off, albeit somewhat awkwardly. “Agnes just came from shoppin’ with Lady Gilling and Lady Madeline. It would seem that both the ladies are indebted to ye again, and to Mr. Melton as well. Will Mr. Melton be stayin’ for dinner?”

Melton grinned. “I’d consider it an honor. Ravensmoore constantly has my mouth watering regarding your expert culinary skills, madam.”

“If it’s not imposing on you and your sister’s special plans for the evening,” Devlin said.

“I insist,” Edna said. “Yer friend is most welcome.”

Melton and Devlin wearily climbed the stairs to his room to clean up after the grueling day. Devlin splashed water out of a blue flowered pitcher and into a basin and then cupped his hands to scoop the water over his face. Devlin’s thoughts returned to Madeline. The idea that he might gain some information about her from Mrs. Moss made him smile in anticipation of the evening meal.

“Are you thinking about a certain woman or dinner?” Melton asked, flicking him playfully with a towel. “I’ll wager it’s the woman.”

“And you’d win that wager, my friend. I imagine I should visit Lady Madeline and check on her.”

“Not without me, you won’t. Besides, I get the distinct feeling that you are interested in the woman for reasons outside the medical profession.”

Devlin raised a brow but made no response. He removed his shirt and set about looking for something proper to wear for dinner.

“You’ll need a clean shirt, Melton. Feel welcome to rummage around and see what you might like. Please excuse me; I will return in a moment.”

Devlin discovered that he’d made a friend after their mutual experience at the asylum. Charles Melton seemed to genuinely enjoy his company. Devlin wasn’t quite sure why, but he suspected Melton’s status as the second son of an earl may have something to do with it. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that Devlin had been in the same position.

He opened the door and headed across the hall to the privy. This was definitely one of the disadvantages of living at the Blue Swan, he thought with dismay. The plumbing at Ravensmoore was of a far better quality. Of course he could always purchase a town house, but that seemed like needless waste.

He put his hand on the doorknob of the privy when the door was suddenly flung open and the object of his thoughts stepped into the hallway, glowing with indignation and then realization.

“Lady Madeline! Forgive me. What are you doing here?”

Madeline blushed to the roots of her hair. She wrestled with the neckline of the dress apparently donned hastily. “If you must ask that question, you will not make a very good doctor. Do turn around, Lord Ravensmoore. It is most impolite to stare at a lady’s bare feet.”

“Of course. How thoughtless. I didn’t mean…” He turned around, felt her brush past him, and then heard a door slam farther down the hall. She was gone.

Devlin stood there for a moment wondering if he’d just seen Lady Madeline. Perhaps all those long hours at the hospital were causing him to hallucinate. Then a grin spread across his face, and he chuckled. Indeed, he had seen her and her lovely feet. She was here! He didn’t know how or why. It didn’t matter. He knew that dinner was not going to be ordinary. Lady Madeline was many things, but ordinary was not one of them.

C
HAPTER 9

The world is all gates, all opportunities,
strings of tension waiting to be struck.

—R
ALPH
W
ALDO
E
MERSON

W
HEN
D
EVLIN AND
Melton entered the dining room, Devlin’s eyes locked on Madeline’s. She looked beautiful in a rose-colored walking dress. Hazel eyes flashed anger or embarrassment, or perhaps both.

“Lady Madeline, it is an unexpected and very pleasant surprise to see you here at the Blue Swan,” he said, bowing low. “You have met Mr. Melton, a colleague of mine from the hospital.”

Melton bowed as well. “A pleasure to see you again, Lady Madeline. And you, Countess. A pleasure indeed.”

Mrs. Hogarth bustled in with a steaming platter of pheasant and vegetables. “Well, don’t stand there all night gapin’ at the ladies! Sit down, gentlemen. I’ve prepared a feast fit for the Prince Regent himself.” The men seated themselves across from the women, and Mrs. Hogarth served each of them and then settled the platter on the sideboard.