“For my novel, of course.”
The girls pursed their lips and narrowed their eyes.
“That wasn’t a mummy brought into Harrington. I’ve told you that,” Eliza insisted.
“But you think someone is cursed,” Ruth demanded.
Eliza simply shrugged.
“Tell us what you know. We have a right,” Mary demanded.
“Very well.” Eliza sighed and flounced onto her bed. “Captain Pickmore, who is a guest of Lord Norbright, had viewed the mummy in Mayfair before it was taken. Of course, it’s just supposition that the accidents and the measles have occurred in the vicinity of Captain Pickmore. Merely coincidences really, but I do intend to use the information in my novel.”
“We don’t believe you,” Ruth argued. “You may insist it’s the novel, but it’s not. The curse of the Mayfair mummy has followed Captain Pickmore to Harrington and now we are all doomed.”
“I’m going to tell Abigail right now,” Mary insisted. “She has a right to know and it was wrong of you not to tell us.”
Before anyone could respond, the two were gone in an instant, calling out to their sick friend and they hurried to their shared chamber.
Sophia glanced back at Eliza who was grinning as she laughed.
“Are you certain you don’t believe in the curse?” Sophia asked carefully. What was Eliza really up to?
“I don’t.” She picked up the papers she’d been writing on. “However, it doesn’t matter what I say because those three are going to believe what they will.” Eliza continued to grin.
“So, asking Olivia and Victoria to dine with her brother is really only for your novel?” Oh, it was so hard to trust this new Eliza when they’d spent a better part of a year worrying about vampires, witches and ghosts.
“Truly.” Eliza looked up and met Sophia’s eyes. “I’ve put my childish imagination away and only want information that I can embellish to make my novel as terrifying as possible.”
In that moment, by the serious look in Eliza’s eyes, Sophia read the truth. Further, there was a sadness as well. Something she’d not noticed before. The behavior she’d been exhibiting was not like Eliza at all and Sophia began to truly become concerned.
* * *
While Henry enjoyed being at Harrington Manor with his friends, he was annoyed at the inactivity. There was nothing for him to do but wait for the concern for a measles outbreak to pass so that he could visit Eve. The doctor said they should know if anyone else would be affected within the week, which left Henry with five more days of bloody waiting.
A few times he’d considered calling on Eve anyway. After all, he’d never suffered a moment’s illness in his life and it was unlikely that even if there was a measles epidemic that he’d be affected, but Lady Norbright insisted that he not go to the school. His presence would be too disturbing to the students, as gentlemen rarely visited, thus disturbing the teachers and the classes.
In fact, the one time he did draw near the property line, he was asked to return at a later date as they were quarantined.
That was earlier today and now he was cooling his heels in the parlor waiting for supper to be announced.
“Would you sit down, Kilsyth,” Norbright ordered. “Your pacing is putting me on edge.”
“You behave as if you’re a caged animal,” Keegan complained.
Henry took a drink of the brandy, ignoring them. He felt like a caged animal, though Harrington Manor was much more comfortable than the cages for the mammals kept in one of those menageries he’d visited as a boy. He now well understood their agitation and the roaring and hissing when others drew too near. It was all Henry could do not to roar at his friends. The only thing that kept him from doing so was because none of this was their fault.
“Ladies Victoria and Olivia,” a footman announced.
Henry turned to note the twins enter. He’d made the acquaintance of Norbright’s sisters previously, and he’d seen them earlier when they’d been upstairs in Ashford’s chamber. The two were all of fifteen and would be entering society in a few years. Both had blonde hair and green eyes and, for young ladies, were rather pretty. Henry did not envy his friend for when it came time to introduce them to society, as Norbright’s London manor would be filled to the rafters with bachelors.
“We weren’t expecting you this evening,” Lady Norbright mentioned. “But so delighted that you’ve joined us.”
“We’ve had the measles when we were younger, so Mrs. Wiggons didn’t think there would be any harm,” Victoria answered.
“Has the ban been lifted?” Pickmore asked as he hobbled into the room and took in the girls.
“The quarantine is still in place but they will not be affected, thus not infecting anyone susceptible within Harrington.”
