I desperately wanted to talk to Jane and tell her what had occurred between Mr Hart and myself while she and the others had been in the tea room. But we went straight to bed as she was exhausted and wished to blow out the candle without chatting, so I did not have the heart to insist she prop her eyelids open and listen to me.
But I could not sleep.
My conversation with that gentleman circled around in my head, and I dwelt on the moment he kissed my hand again and again until I had convinced myself I had broken my marriage vows to Max, which distressed me no end.
Eventually, I told myself I was being silly—that one dance with a handsome strangerdid notconstitute unfaithfulness. And I was sure that Jane would agree (once I told her) that I was overreacting. Indeed, all it showed in truth was that I loved my husband and was missing him.
Feeling much better at having sorted it out in my mind, I slept deeply without dreaming and rose refreshed and ready for the day’s activities.
However, when Jane and I descended for breakfast, wediscovered Elizabeth out of sorts because she had a bad headache and Lucinda looking distinctly glum.
Only Edward was in the mood for conversing, and Jane and I were subjected to an in-depth explanation about the electricity treatment he would be receiving for his gout that morning. Apparently, his physician, a certain Dr Fellowes, had not made any objection to it when Edward had suggested that, as well as taking the waters, he undergo this type of treatment.
Having live sparks directed to one’s swollen big toe sounded a little barbaric (and possibly dangerous) to my mind, but I did not like to say anything when Edward was clearly putting a lot of faith in the treatment to ease his painful inflammation.
Jane, on the other hand, was not shy about stating her opinion. ‘I hope it helps, Edward, but perhaps you should not expect too much from it. A restorative diet and abstaining from port will probably do you more good.’
With that being said, Edward was the only one who was making plans to leave the house after breakfast. And as Elizabeth was not well enough to accompany him, he said he would take a sedan chair to the treatment room. He suggested that Jane come along. But she declined, hastily saying she had letters to write, and went upstairs.
Elizabeth retired to her room to lie down with a coolcloth on her forehead, and that left Lucinda and me. My reply to Max’s letter was pressing, and I wanted to write it forthwith. But I needed to convey a light, cheerful tone, and I could not achieve that from sitting inside and looking at Lucinda’s morose expression. No, I needed to walk around outside and get my thoughts in order so I could compose it properly.
The possibility of rousing Lucinda from her slump seemed slim, but I thought I should offer all the same.
‘I might go for a stroll in Queen Square and get some fresh air,’ I said to her. ‘Would you care to join me? It might improve your spirits.’
But the girl looked as though she was more inclined to burst into tears and turned away, biting her lip.
Oh dear, that was evidently the wrong thing to say!
‘Never mind,’ I said hastily. ‘I will be perfectly content walking alone. Perhaps you might like to read in your room instead?’
She let out a sigh (either of frustration or boredom, I could not tell), and off she went upstairs, dragging her feet.
At this point, I could have cheerfully strangled Mr Hart for the emotional upheaval he was causing. Why, Lucinda had been happy enough before she had made his acquaintance! Perhaps all she needed was a day of rest, quiet, and reading; and she would be back to her old self again.
It was with no small measure of relief that I escaped from the house of misery just before ten o’clock and crossed the road wearing my best bonnet and a light shawl (in case I had misjudged the temperature).
But I had not—the day was delightfully warm with nary a breeze and a deep blue sky harbouring high wispy clouds. Queen Square was the right sort of size too for stretching one’s legs, and with its wide gravel pathways, one need not bump elbows with fellow strollers who were also taking the air.
I did several turns around the outside of the park, all the while composing a humorous epistle to Max. I decided I would only briefly mention that we’d had an encounter with an ‘appalling scoundrel’. But I would be quick to reassure him that we had survived the ordeal, thanks to being forewarned, and that Lucinda’s virtue was safe. Hopefully, it would show him that I was taking my chaperone duties seriously as well as make him laugh. Smiling to myself, I hurried back to the house to put quill to paper.
The grandfather clock in the hall was chiming eleven when I re-entered. As I had been wandering around outside for nearly an hour, I wasn’t surprised to see Edward had now returned and was reclining on the sofa in the drawing room with his newly bandaged foot propped on a pillow.Elizabeth must be resting still, and the other two are upstairs, I thought.
‘Hello,’ I said, removing my bonnet and flopping down on the other sofa. ‘How was the treatment?’
Edward grimaced. ‘Not pleasant, I have to say. But I think it has helped as the pain has eased some.’
‘That’s good!’
‘Yes, and thankfully, I do not have to go again for another week.’
I thought I would leave him in peace and see if Jane had finished with the table upstairs so I could write my letter. But our room was empty, and so was Lucinda’s.
That was most odd. Where were they?
Perplexed, I ran back down to Edward, who was reading his library book. ‘Forgive me for disturbing you. But have Jane and Lucinda gone out? They are not upstairs.’
He lowered his book. ‘Are they not? How strange. Elizabeth is not in her room either. I assumed she felt well enough to venture to Milsom Street. Perhaps they are all looking at hats as we speak?’
