MRS. LILIAS MONTGOMERY
“Romley, change the cattle at our townhouse stable and tell Atticus he’s to be our postillion when we leave. It will be his responsibility to see that our horses get returned to London tomorrow,” James instructed as he handed Cecilia out of the carriage in front of Mrs. Montgomery’s rented London townhouse. “Before you go, I have an errand for you.”
“Aye, sar?” Romley said, making an adjustment to one of the horses’ traces.
James pulled a note from his jacket pocket. “Take this to Dr. Nowlton at Malmsby House and await his reply.”
Cecilia looked up at her husband in surprise. Dr. Merlin Nowlton was the youngest son of the Duke of Malmsby. Society gossip said the young man had chosen to become a doctor after his mother had passed away following a long, painful illness. His goal in life had become to help others in honor of his mother. Not at all the proper occupation for a duke’s son, the wags whispered. Cecilia disagreed. She thought it quite fitting for a duke’s son. More fitting than to think the church or the military were the only honorable occupations.
“When should I come fetch ya, sar?” Romley asked as he took the envelope from Sir James.
James shook his head. “We will walk home. It is but two blocks and we will be riding in a carriage for the rest of the day. The day is mild, and we could use the bit of exercise.”
Cecilia nodded in agreement, though surprised to hear James encouraging exercise and not continuing to treat her as an invalid. She’d been sick too long.
“Mrs. Dunstan will be wantin’ to hep,” Romley warned, speaking of their London townhouse housekeeper.
James laughed. “Yes, set her to preparing a basket for us of food and beverage so we don’t have to wait for a coaching inn’s fare.”
“Aye, sar,” George Romley said, tugging at his forelock.
Lady Cecilia and Sir James Branstoke climbed the stairs before the Montgomery townhouse as Romley drove away.
“You do know,” Cecilia said quietly, “the cook at Summerworth Park already provided victuals. The basket is under the seat.”
“Yes, I know, but, as George said, Mrs. Dunstan likes to help.”
Cecilia grinned at her husband. “You are thinking less mischief this way.”
“We have a most earnest household,” he observed.
She stilled his hand as he would raise the door knocker.
He looked down at her.
“Why contact Dr. Nowlton?” she asked.
“I am concerned for you,” he said.
“James, I am well now.”
“And so you appear to me as well, but with that continued cough, I need a doctor’s assurance, Cecilia. Women rarely travel when carrying a child, and not two weeks ago, you were extremely sick. I am worried for you. The entire household isworried for you and our babe. Allow me to be the cautious husband,” he said.
“For the impetuous wife,” she said drily.
His small smile in response as he grabbed the door knocker had Cecilia smiling in turn.
A moment later, they were being escorted into the house and the butler was conducting them up the stairs to a small drawing room.
While the property lacked the paintings and other ornamentation found in an owned home, Cecilia thought the townhouse neat and well-maintained, the furniture had the high polish only attainable through carnauba wax, bees wax, and industrious polishing. Judging by what she saw as they followed the butler, the décor was done primarily in beige and cream with chocolate-brown accents. She preferred more color in her décor. How sad one couldn’t be choosy in a rented property, she mused wryly.
Mrs. Montgomery, dressed in mourning black, rose from the sofa as her butler opened the drawing-room door. She rushed toward them. “You’re here! Thank heavens, you’re here!” she cried. She grabbed Cecilia’s hands. Tears glistened in her blue-gray eyes.
“Yes,” Cecilia said soothingly as she gently led the distraught woman back to the sofa and sat beside her, willing an incipient cough to subside. James pulled a chair closer to the sofa and sat down.
Mrs. Montgomery dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief she’d kept grasped in her hand. “We were so happy,” she said softly, “until this nightmare.” Her eyes threatened to spill more tears. She looked up at Cecilia and then over at James.
Cecilia exchanged glances with James.
