As Feeley filled the bath, Charles stripped off his dirt and sweat-stained clothing. He stepped into the water, sat, and took up the soap, while Feeley waited with the jug to pour more water over him.
Charles chose this moment to speak to him. “I am told that the duchess’s maid, Lilly, wishes to go to Ireland with you,” he said as he lathered the soap over his hair.
Feely cleared his throat. “You know about that then, Your Grace?”
“I do.”
“I never tumbled the girl, Your Grace. I hope you believe me.”
“That did give me pause, Feeley. But yes, Lilly has said as much.”
Feeley poured the water over Charles’s head.
“Knew I’d be off some time. Didn’t want to leave a decent lass like Lilly in some kind of bother.”
Charles brushed the water from his hair with his hands. “I am deeply impressed with the nobility of that sentiment. But it appears that she loves you. You don’t feel the same?”
“She’s a grand girl, Your Grace. That she is.”
“Would it make a difference if I wrote to a friend of mine? I could recommend you both for a position on his staff at his castle at Kinsale in Cork?”
Feeley’s eyes brightened. “The castle at Kinsale, Your Grace?”
“Yes. Would that suit you?”
Feeley’s voice had been unusually subdued but rose along with his grin. “It would, indeed, Your Grace.”
“You would marry the girl?”
“Yes. If I must.” He chuckled. “That I would, indeed.”
“Then, you shall marry her before you leave.”
“Sweet Lilly. ’Twill be my pleasure to become her husband.”
Having finished washing, Charles rose from the bath and took the towel handed to him. He wouldn’t place a wager on Feeley remaining faithful. But he supposed stranger things had happened.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Nellie stood besideCharles as the carriage bearing Jason and Beverly away to Dorset rattled down the drive.
“They will be missed.” Charles put his arm around her as they walked back inside.
“I do hope the birth goes well,” Nellie said.
“Indeed.” Charles kissed her cheek and left her to go to the stables, planning to ride out with his gamekeeper.
Nellie went to see how his mother fared. She would read to Catherine if she felt well enough. They were almost finishedPride and Prejudiceand would soon begin onSense and Sensibility.
In the evening, Charles, Catherine, and Nellie played three-handed whist. It was the first evening Catherine had left her bedchamber.
“We must invite our neighbors for dinner when you feel up to it, Mother,” Charles said, reaching for his wineglass.
“There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t entertain them now. I shall return to the dower house in a day or so.”
Charles frowned. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Tut, tut, Charles, how you do fuss.” She placed down a card. “I am a great deal better. And the dower house is only two miles away.”
