“They’ve gone to see what has happened. I hope you don’t mind, Lady Cumberland, but I told them to convey our wish to help, should the need arise.”
“Of course I don’t mind,” I said quickly. “I’m happy you made the offer. Do you think they’ll return with news?”
“I’ve asked them to do just that.” Wentworth bowed. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No, thank you.”
Edith was nearby, and when I turned to her, I could see she was still upset.
“Why don’t you go lie down?” I suggested. “You’ve had quite a scare.”
She shook her head. “I need to stay busy. If you don’t need me, I’ll see to the mending.”
I smiled at her. “Do as you please.”
Soon I was alone in the massive great hall with nothing to occupy my mind or hands. All I could think about was Scarborough, Hartlepool, and Whitby. Were there injured people? How extensive was the damage? Had the Royal Navy driven off the Germans? How had this happened? Wasn’t the navy patrolling these waters?
My pacing feet took me to the library. The room was dark and drafty, but I did not want to call Wentworth to lay a fire. I had laid a thousand fires in Williamsburg and was quite capable of starting one myself, but it would be unseemly for the Marchioness of Cumberland Hall to start her own fire.
Wrapping my arms around myself, I walked to the windows that faced the sea, purposely avoiding the shelf near the desk. Almost every day, the volumes ofA Complete Account of America’s Sons of Liberty, Founding Fathers, and Fallen Heroestaunted me. If I pulled the Virginia volume from the shelf, I could easily learn everything I’d ever wanted to know about Henry. But I couldn’t do it. Every warning Mama had ever given me warred with my temptation. It was a foolish notion.
Yet I wanted desperately to know. I hadn’t seen Henry in four months. From what I had heard, he had been traveling to the other colonies for his father’s business. I longed for him more than ever, both here and in Williamsburg. Just seeing his name would draw him near, I was certain.
I stood at the window for a long time, trying in vain to see any ships on the sea. When the temptation to pull out the book became too strong, I left the library to go to the conservatory. Perhaps I could distract myself with some of the plants I had been tending.
Wentworth found me in the conservatory several hours later. “Lady Cumberland?”
Black soil lined my nails as I transplanted succulents from their old cracked pots into fresh, new clay pots.
“I’m here,” I called, since I was sitting behind the lemon, orange, and lime trees. I wiped my hands on a cloth and stood to meet him. “Is there word?”
“I’m afraid so.” Wentworth’s long, narrow face looked even longer today. “The civilian injuries and casualties are high. Some are saying that over five hundred people were injured, and there are several families, especially in Hartlepool, who lost everyone when their homes were shelled.”
I put my hand to my throat in horror. “How awful. Where are they sending the injured?”
“I’m not sure, your ladyship.”
“We must have as many as possible brought here. Anyone who can travel.”
Wentworth frowned. “Are you cert—?”
“I’m quite certain. Please have Williams send word to Whitby, Scarborough, and Hartlepool. Anyone who is in need must come. I will have the staff begin to prepare the great hall and the drawing room. We’ll need someone to gather food supplies in Whitby, and I’ll have the maids begin to tear apart the sheets for bandages.” My mind was already moving ahead of my mouthas I made plans. “We must not hesitate, Mr. Wentworth. There are people in need, and we must do our part.”
“As you wish, Lady Cumberland.”
I followed him out of the conservatory, and as he left the house to speak to Williams, I went toward the back stairs for the second time that day.
Mrs. Hawthorn, the cook, was rolling out pastry dough when I entered the large kitchen. Her eyes widened as she stopped rolling and straightened. “What can I do for you, milady?”
Long windows lined the top of the kitchen wall, which was at ground level. Though it was stormy outside, their south-facing exposure allowed plenty of light into the tall room. Besides the cook, a kitchen helper was working, peeling potatoes. She also stopped and stared at me, no doubt shocked to see me downstairs for the second time that day.
“There have been heavy casualties along the coast,” I told them. “I’ve instructed Mr. Wentworth to send word that we will take in anyone who needs help. If the reports are accurate, I expect to fill up the great hall and drawing room. We’ll need plenty of soup and bread to feed everyone tonight. When we know how many will be here, I’ll send Williams for more food and supplies.”
Mrs. Hawthorn’s mouth hung open as she listened. She was a stout woman with small grey eyes, but she looked sharp and capable.
“Are you able to accommodate my request?” I asked.
Her mouth snapped shut, and she nodded. “Of course, milady.”
