“What of them?”
“Are they still here?”
“Gracious, yes. At a minimum, it would take an order from the regent to dislodge them! Between them, they have decided to be our protectorates, and no amount of argument will naysay them. Not even Lord Royce’s ankle will come in the way of what they see as their duty,” Lady Elsbeth said, laughing lightly.
“Lord Royce is situated, or I should say holding court, upon a settee in the parlor. I argued for his room and bed. He answered that it would be inappropriate for private discourse with yourself. Something he is anxious to pursue?” she suggested archly, an amused laugh hovering on her lips.
“I don’t know,” Jane said, startled at how that admission hurt, like an ill-timed blow to the stomach. Was she merely some duty he’d assumed—or something to relieve the tedium of the country? Either answer lowered her spirits further, though she was careful not to reveal that to Lady Elsbeth.
“His ankle is the worse for wear,” her aunt was saying, “but has not, thankfully, suffered a lasting injury. I have rebandaged it and instructed him not to pick up objects larger than his boot!”
Jane blushed, for she knew it was his arms that had caught her as she’d swooned. And it was toward his body that she had contentedly curled.
“Mr. Nagel has kindly offered the earl the use of his crutches for the day; his activities, being limited to his small apartment, do not demand extensive walking. His only request was that the boys come to visit him to regale him with the events of the past few days.”
“The old softie,” Jane murmured. "He just will not admit how much those boys mean to him.”
“And he was not happy to hear that the boys were not available today."
“Oh?” Jane asked, pausing as she pulled up her stockings. "You know how gossip flies. I swear, half the neighborhood hasvisited this morning to ask how you are and try to ferret out of us all the details. Anyway, the Culpeppers were among those that called. They offered to take the boys for the day. I know they did so with the hope of learning more. I’m afraid I accepted their offer without providing a morsel of information in return. Quite shameless, wasn’t I?”
Jane laughed as she dropped the dress over her head and twitched it into place. "Shameless perhaps, but deserving. I only hope Bertram does not return with another black eye, especially as Lord Royce will not be on hand to intercede for him! Lace-up the back, would you please? Elsbeth, speaking of Lord Royce, what is your opinion of him?”
“I like him, why do you ask? And stop fidgeting if you want me to do this.”
“I don’t know. It just all seems so confusing. I don’t know what to think or believe anymore. I was determined not to listen to gossip or speculation concerning the Willoughbys. But look where that got me. I have been equally determined to reevaluate Royce, to keep an open mind where he is concerned. But will I again be fooled and led astray as I was with the Willoughbys?”
Lady Elsbeth sighed, then bit her lower lip as she pulled the laces tighter. "I think we have to learn to listen with an open mind and heart—not only to what others tell us but also to that little voice inside us. I think it must be our soul, for it is neither of the heart nor of the mind, but rather a meld of the two.”
Jane looked over her shoulder. "And what does that little voice tell you of Conisbrough?” she asked softly.
Lady Elsbeth blushed. "I?—"
“Here now, what be ye doing?” asked Mrs. O'Rourke, bustling into the room bearing a large tray. She set it down on a side table near the hearth. "I’ll tend to that, Lady Elsbeth.”
Jane frowned and pursed her lips.
Lady Elsbeth laughed, handing the laces to Mrs. O'Rourke, who tied them with brisk efficiency while Elsbeth uncovered the tray and poured out her niece’s coffee from the silver ewer.
Jane sat down at the dressing table so that Mrs. O'Rourke could tend her hair, and Elsbeth carried over her coffee.
Jane nodded her thanks, then instructed Mrs. O'Rourke not to get overly elaborate. A simple coronet would suffice.
“Nay, lass, that’ll not serve the likes of him!”
“I beg your pardon?” Jane demanded frostily, but she blushed anyway.
“Salvation lies with a tall, dark gentleman,” the woman intoned.
Behind her, Lady Elsbeth laughed.
Mrs. O'Rourke turned toward her. "’Tis not a matter to take lightly. Miss Jane’s trials are yet before her. I know you donna believe in the sight. ‘Tis a gift and a curse, it is. If Mr. Nagel had heeded me warnings about the danger in his position, he’d not be sufferin’ a splinted leg."
“Oh, really,” Jane said, put out. "But if I recall properly, you counseled him against danger in the kitchen.”
She nodded solemnly. "My sights are often teasing, ready to lead me and all astray, just like the little people are wont to do. That is why ‘tis a gift and a curse."
In the mirror, Jane caught her aunt’s amusement. A rueful smile slowly curved her lips. She would not hurt this intense woman by laughing at her beliefs. She reached up a hand to lightly touch one of Mrs. O'Rourke's hands as she pinned a curl in place.
