Chapter Twelve
“Irepeat. Beon guard around that man,” Uncle Ludlow hissed when they arrived on the upper floor. “I admit he was quite correct to demand proper accommodations for Selina, and he seems to have acquired the dress and manners of a gentleman in spite of deplorable origins, but I can’t rest easy with you around him.”
“His father was a duke, Uncle.”
They reached the door to the guest room assigned to Mia and Selina.
“Don’t be pert. He’s a misbegotten American. The stories I’ve heard about him are not fit for a young lady’s ears. Keep him far from Selina. Keep your door locked. Bar it at night.”
Mia tried to picture Gideon Kendrick prowling the halls, wild-eyed, searching for a virgin to ravish. Her amusement must have shown on her face, because Uncle’s glower deepened.
“Do as I say. Kerr will know what’s up. You will follow her lead.”
“Kerr?”
Uncle Ludlow ignored her gasp; his eyes swept over to Selina lying against white linens, pale and weak. He raised his hand as if to pat her or check her brow for fever, but he let it drop and took a step back. “Catarrh,” he muttered. “At least.”
He chucked Mia under the chin. “You are a good girl, Euphemia. Care for my princess well,” he said, drawing away.
“But, Uncle, Selina is ill. Wouldn’t it be better for Kerr to stay at Selwyn Court?” Mia asked, holding her breath.
“Nonsense. Kerr is a servant. She does what she’s told. She’ll come to lend respectability to the both of you.” He didn’t wait for an answer.
To cluck over Selina and bully me, more like.Mia sighed.
A few hours later, Mia sat on the window seat next to Selina’s bed and watched Kerr bustle about the room, unpacking the great pile of gowns and linen she’d brought from Selwyn Court, with fierce efficiency and no little irritation. She had already rung for footmen twice.
Uncle Ludlow had been kind, Mia told herself. Well, he’d intended to be. Kind in his way. He’d had the sense to send Eustace and his hangers-on packing when they’d followed him. He had confirmed Selina’s fever and cough for himself and rejected calling in Dr. Gratis again—for now. He had remembered to send Mia’s clothes along with her cousin’s.
At a moan from the bed, she leaned over to give Selina a sip of water.
Kerr hurried over. “Does my lady need something?”
Selina smiled wanly at the woman but didn’t speak. When Mia wiped her brow, Selina closed her eyes and sighed.
“Tea,” Kerr snapped. “My lady will be wanting tea.”
Never mind we had tea two hours ago, and Selina took two sips and ate nothing.
“It is almost dinnertime,” Mia reminded her.
“So it is. I should visit the kitchen and inform them of our requirements,” Kerr said, head high and hands clasped firmly in front of her.
A decision snapped into place in Mia’s beleaguered mind. “I will be taking dinner in the dining room if Selina doesn’t object,” Mia said.I need a break from Kerr and the sickroom.
Kerr opened her mouth to comment, but Selina blinked. “Do. Tell me all,” Selina croaked.
“You want to know about the heir or the dinner?” Mia asked.
“All of it. I want to hear everything you learn,” Selina said. A coughing fit followed.
Kerr glanced at Selina and back at Mia. “Very well. Do that. I will inform the kitchen,” Kerr conceded.
The maid started to turn but stopped when Mia added, “You can help me dress when you return.” Kerr glared at Selina but thought better of whatever she intended to say. She nodded and departed in a rustle of bombazine. Mia had no doubt Mrs. Morrit would be even more bad-tempered with them than she already was after Kerr visited the kitchen.
Whatever passed below stairs, Kerr managed to turn Mia out presentably and even fix her hair in a charming chignon before she all but pushed Mia out the door.
She likely wants her little darling all to herself.Mia stood at the top of the stairs, wondering why she hadn’t begged to return to Selwyn Court. It would be several days before Selina could leave, and several days cooped up with Kerr loomed like purgatory. As she slowly descended, her heart sped up. She was about to have dinner in Woodglen’s legendary dining room. She would see Gideon Kendrick again. Perhaps purgatory had its rewards.
