Employing her natural charm, it took Mrs Caspar no time at all to steer the party away from squabbling further, and into the throes of a merry engagement. Soon, Mrs Hartley was insisting that they call one another by their Christian names, though Belinda could not think of actually addressing the woman as ‘Ophelia’. This bonhomie went on for several minutes until Rose sighed and said, “Well, dear Hartleys, I fear we must be on our way, but promise me you’ll come to call on us in Hertford Street.”
“Oh, and you must join us at Regent’s Park tomorrow!” Mrs Hartley opened her reticule, and began to dig around excitedly. “Dear Leo, my husband, procured for me a written order as there’s no getting in to see the animals without one. Ah, here it is!”
She handed Lindy a printed card which depicted several creatures in enclosures. Written in fancy script around its perimeter was ‘Admit Leonard Hartley and Party to the Gardens or Museum of the Zoological Society’, followed by an illegible signature. After admiring the little work of art for what she hoped was the expected amount of time, Lindy passed it to Rose who also praised it before giving it back to its beaming owner.
Returning the treasure to her bag, Mrs Hartley asked again for the direction to Hertford Street, clarifying when they would come to fetch them the next day. With that settled, Lindy rose from the bench alongside her aunt, bidding their new friends adieu.
When they had walked a considerable stretch of path away, Rose said, “It seems that Miss Hartley would benefit from a pair of spectacles.”
“Surely her parents have attempted that remedy, so her impairment must be something more than mere myopia,” Belinda replied. “Perhaps we’ll learn more of it tomorrow.”
Knowing that she would see Dora the very next day kept Lindy lighthearted all the way home. However, the moment she stepped back through the townhouse’s front door, she sensed something was amiss. The maid seemed as if she had been anxiously awaiting their return, looking especially wide-eyed as she took their wraps.
Rose, also conscious of the strange air, asked, “Is everything alright, Minnie?”
The servant blinked twice, then dropped her eyes to the floor.
“Come upstairs, won’t you, ma’am?”
Belinda wondered if the girl had broken something while cleaning one of the bedrooms and was fearful of confessing it. Thinking to lessen her shame by reducing its audience, Lindy slipped away to the library. Leaving the door ajar, she sat and took up the embroidery she had brought from Whitehall. She thought the needlework something of an extravagance as she eyed the blue and purple flowers she had so painstakingly stitched.
If I was at home, I would be doing something more useful, like mending Bertie’s shirt.Goodness knows how many tears it’s got in it now! She flipped the tambour over and began to neaten the linen square’s back, snipping the knots close with a little pair of scissors.But here, I must act as if I am a lady, or at least like the sort of woman atruelady wants nearby.
Suddenly, she was startled by a clamber on the staircase. Straight after, she saw through the window that Lee, the footman, was dashing across the back garden. He nearly collided with the gardener who was trimming a holly bush.
“Argh!Mind yer path, lad!” the grizzled fellow barked.
Lee paused to steady him before he hurried on again towards the mews.
“Why so fleet?” the gardener called after him.
“I’m meant to fetch a doctor!” the footman hollered over his shoulder, then was gone.
A doctor? Was Minnie fretful at admitting she’s feeling poorly? She did look peaked, but not so ill as to need a—
Doctor!Belinda thrust the tambour aside and pressed her hands to her roiling stomach.If it’s Dr Felix who comes to see her,Mr Alwynmay come with him!
From the moment Rose had invited her to come to London, Lindy had, of course, thought of the fact that Mr Alwyn lived there, but knowing they would not move in the same social circles, she had neither hoped for nor dreaded the thought of encountering him.
But now I may see him within the hour!
Rising, she shut the library’s door and stepped over to the glass above the hearth to tidy her hair. Then, she dipped her head solemnly at her reflection, practicing in a murmur, “Thank you for coming, Dr Felix and Mr Alwyn.”
And what if I find I must converse further with him?
Well then, I can ask how his studies progress – he spoke much of that when we were last together. And if he inquires why I have come to town, perhaps I will tell him about my plan to become a lady’s companion. Then he will see that I’m not content to sit idle in Trippingham.
Forcing herself to sit back down, she clutched the embroidery hoop, her ears alert, her heart aflutter.
Another Jolt of Dread
“HELLO! Hello, there!”
Hearing the voice behind him, Alwyn kept his eyes fixed on the pavement and hastened on. Only a little further up Harley Street and he could disappear inside Dr Felix’s house. But when hurried footsteps brought someone right to his side, he had to look up.
Sliger.
“Blains and boils, man — you walk so fast!” the boy panted, laughing. “I haven’t seen you for days and I’ve got such news to tell you! But…is something the matter?”
