Julius waited in the Countess’ empty drawing room and was at once bombarded by all manner of strange trappings. Portraits and paintings covered nearly every bit of wall, and pedestals had been set up in every window and alcove to hold great silver bowls filled with flowers. The floral aroma was overwhelming as it competed with the fresh air for space.
He could only hope that Lady Medvale felt like taking afternoon tea on the terrace, away from the overpowering scent.
“Lord Bronson,” the old woman began as she entered the room, hunched over her cane precariously and turning her head slightly to look up at him.
“Lady Medvale, you are looking as well as ever,” Julius replied, bowing politely.
The old woman narrowed her weepy blue eyes, the look on her face telling him that she was already aware that he wanted something. One of the other households he’d visited must have sent word to her!
“So what is it you’ve come to see me about, and for the love of all things holy, I pray that it is not about your wayward niece,” the woman said as she inched her way towards a well-used chair with worn velvet fabric.
“Ah, you must have heard of my deep worry for the poor girl,” Julius said, attempting to deflect any arrows the old woman might shoot in his direction. “Yes, it has been one great sadness after another where that girl is concerned.”
“Oh? I wasn’t aware of any sadness on her part?” Lady Medvale said, leaning her cane against the side of her chain and waving her fingers towards the footman to signal for their tray.
“Yes, it’s been tragic. First to lose her mother at such a precarious age—and the girl undergoing her first Season without a mother’s strong hand to steer her course—then to lose her father only a year ago.” Julius sighed dramatically. “The girl has been cursed with an uncle to take her in, one who himself has no children nor a wife and doesn’t know the first thing about properly raising up children.”
“Tsk, that is a terrible tragedy, to be sure,” the Countess answered, looking past Julius towards the door to see what was taking the tea so long. “It is practically no wonder she’s run off then.”
“I beg your pardon?” Julius asked, uncertain he’d heard the woman’s croaking voice correctly. “You said she’s run off?”
“Yes, heard of it only this morning,” she answered, smiling now that a servant brought in the tray and placed it on the low table in front of her. She nodded the servant to pour and serve, looking up once or twice to catch glimpses of Julius’ face. It was contorting almost painfully and blushing to an angry shade of red.
“My apologies, My Lady, but I’m not certain where you might have heard of such a thing,” he stammered, attempting to smile when the servant handed him a cup and saucer. “I was at home myself this morning, I would have been informed if something such as this had taken place under my roof.”
“You might do well then,” Lady Medvale said slowly, her voice trembling due to her age, “to pay more mind to those girls than to your French friend.”
Julius flinched. This was not going at all how he’d planned. His hope of an ally in the old horse was going up in vapors at every turn.
“To the point, though, where did you hear that Lady Lydia has run away?” Julius asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
“From my servants, who were told of it by your servants, of course. How do you think old bats like me learn anything of particular interest? All anyone wants to talk to us about at balls or dinners are various ailments that have crept up with age, and how I’ve dealt with them.” Lady Medvale smiled wickedly. Learning of such news as this is truly the most interesting thing that has happened in quite some time.”
“Do you realize that Lady Lydia might be in grave danger?” Julius said, struggling to keep his voice even.
“The only danger that girl is in would be in the utter destruction of her reputation,” the Countess said, a raspy laugh causing her to devolve into a fit of coughing. Once she’d recovered, she added, “No family will receive her should she ever return to London. Though I think I might have her over late one evening once it’s all settled down. I do so love to hear an adventure story, and I’m certain wherever she’s gone with that young fellow, they’re having quite the adventure. Wouldn’t you agree, hmm?”
Julius felt as though the air were being drained from the room, the flowers assaulting his nose and lungs as he fought to breathe. He set down his cup and said firmly, “Thank you, Lady Medvale, but I’m afraid urgent matters have come up that will prevent me from staying for tea. Thank you for your information today… and I do hope I can trust you to keep it to yourself.”
“Oh no. Remember, once the servants know of it, it is all over.” Lady Medvale looked at Julius as he stood to leave with a pang of sympathy. “I shall personally not repeat it, but I cannot say the same for the rest of the ton.”
Julius felt his heart sink into his stomach. Everything he’d worked to do was going up in bright bursts of flames. He had to do something quickly, but he knew not what.
Chapter 14
The second day of Lydia and Matthew’s journey was nearly as agonizing as the first. Both had woken in a soured mood; Lydia still smarted from the betrayal of the day before, while Matthew was disgruntled from the ache of passing the night in the carriage. They barely spoke, and even then, only when it was required.
“What is that you’re wearing?” Matthew had managed to ask when he waited for her to enter the carriage.
Lydia looked down. “It is my gown. It’s modest and perfectly suitable for traveling.”
“No, I mean… it is all rumpled. Is it not the one that you wore yesterday?” he asked, cringing, though his voice held a hint of concern.
“I have no lady’s maid, if you had not already noticed,” Lydia replied stiffly, embarrassed at such an interrogation, “and as such, there is no one to assist me in dressing and… undressing.”
Matthew looked completely flabbergasted, as though the notion had not once crossed his mind. He looked around as though an answer would present itself in the stable yard of the inn.
“Do they not have servants for that sort of thing?” Matthew said, and Lydia stopped momentarily on her way into the carriage to stare at him in consternation.
