LITMIR.BIZ

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      ‘Sophie my love, will you have time to help me today? We need to gather more comfrey leaves.’

      ‘More?’ said Lady Arabella. ‘But you went out collecting comfrey only last week. Surely you have enough?’

      ‘Rudge tells me the old mare requires another poultice, ma’am,’ Beth explained patiently.

      ‘Then let him go and gather the leaves,’ retorted her grandmother. ‘He is, after all, the groom—or he could send the stable boy.’

      ‘Really I do not mind going,’ said Sophie quickly. ‘I know exactly where to find the best comfrey plants and shall collect a whole basketful. Then we shall have leaves to dry as well as fresh ones to use now.’ She smiled across the table at Lady Arabella. ‘You need have no fear, Grandmama. I shall be back in time to read the papers to you while you are resting before dinner.’

      ‘You have both forgotten our guest may need entertaining.’

      The earl shook his head. ‘Not at all, my lady. I am very happy to amuse myself.’

      ‘Lord Darrington is, of course, welcome to join us on our expedition,’ Beth offered politely but Guy did not miss the look of relief that crossed her features when he declined.

      He said, ‘I expect the carriage to arrive from Highridge at any moment and I propose to take a stroll along the drive to look out for it.’

      ‘Then if you will excuse us, we will collect our baskets and be off. Come, Sophie.’

      The two young ladies disappeared, Lady Arabella made her way to the morning room, declaring that she was going to write her letters, and Guy was left alone. After assuring himself that Davey was still asleep, he made his way to the entrance and descended the steep stone steps to the drive. It was a bright, sunny morning with just a hint of autumn in the air and it was hard to believe that only the night before he had followed the farmhands as they carried Davey’s body through the rain, up these same steps and into the house. He looked around him with interest at the old building. The original refectory with its gabled roof now housed the main entrance and great hall. Beside the steps was an ancient arched doorway, leading to the undercroft. Intrigued, Guy tried the door, but it was locked. Wandering on, he soon spotted the stable block and made his way across to it. He noted with approval the tidy yard and quickly strode across the swept cobbles and through the high-arched entrance to the stables. Inside he found an iron-haired groom inspecting Davey’s bay mare. The man touched his cap when he saw Guy approaching.

      ‘Rudge, isn’t it?’ Guy addressed him pleasantly and nodded towards the mare. ‘No injuries, I hope?’

      ‘No, sir, she’s in fine fettle. As is your hunter, my lord. We brushed ‘em down, fed and watered ‘em as we would our own. They was a bit shaken, but they’re both as good as new, now.’

      ‘Well, that’s good news.’ Guy smiled. ‘I would not want to add to your work when you already have one lame horse to worry about.’

      ‘Sir?’

      ‘Your mistress said this morning there was an old mare needed a poultice.’

      Slowly the groom shook his head. ‘Not in these stables, my lord. I check them all every morning and I’d know if there was summat wrong.’

      Guy frowned for a moment, then shrugged.

      ‘No matter, mayhap I misunderstood her.’ He heard the rattle of an approaching carriage. ‘Ah, that should be Mr Davies’s man—and my groom. I hope you will be able to accommodate Holt in your stables, Rudge? He is a useful man, and of course he will defer to you,’ he added quickly, making a mental note to talk to Holt before he set him to work.

      Guy made his way back to the front drive in time to see his travelling chariot sweep into view. Holt was riding on the back seat and jumped down nimbly even before the carriage had stopped. A few words sufficed to send him hurrying off to the stables and Guy was then free to observe Peters, Mr Davies’s diminutive but very efficient valet, and the various trunks and bags that he had brought to the Priory.

      In a very short time Peters had made himself at home in the sickroom, unpacking the bags and even finding time to shave his master in readiness for Dr Compton’s next visit. However, Guy would not allow the valet to remove Mr Davies’s borrowed nightshirt until the doctor had pronounced the patient well enough to be moved. Davey himself, sleepy from laudanum and irritable from discomfort, swore roundly and wished them at the very devil, his outburst bringing a rare smile to his servant’s rather austere countenance.

      ‘It is good to see that you are recovering, sir,’ he murmured as he walked out of the room with the shaving apparatus.

      ‘Damn your eyes, why did you have to send for him?’ grumbled Davey. His fair hair was ruffled and his boyish face was uncharacteristically glum.

      ‘Because he is the best person to look after you,’ returned Guy, unperturbed. He perched himself on the edge of the bed. ‘But tell me truthfully, how do you feel?’

      ‘Like the very devil! I don’t think there is a part of me that doesn’t hurt. Can’t laugh or cough without a stabbing pain in my ribs, my wrist feels as if it’s sprained and my leg—’ He glanced up and Guy saw the anxiety lurking in his guileless blue eyes. ‘Is it …?’

      ‘Broken, nothing more serious. The doctor has set it and thinks it should heal perfectly, if you will be patient.’

      ‘And where are we? I don’t recognise this house, nor the servants.’

      ‘Malpass Priory, near Fentonby. It is the home of Lady Arabella Wakeford. Do you know her?’

      Davey frowned. ‘No. I’ve heard the name, though.’

      ‘So have I.’ Guy frowned. ‘Cannot quite recall where I have seen it. They are a very old family, I understand.’ A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. ‘The Wakefords were ennobled long before the Wylders gained their earldom.’

      ‘Well, their house is certainly old enough,’ remarked Davey, staring at the gracefully arching window with its leaded lights. ‘But thankfully they have had the wisdom to renew the mattress on this old bed! Have they put you up, too? Are you comfortable?’

      ‘The room is comfortable enough.’

      Davey did not miss the hesitation in Guy’s tone and he said bluntly, ‘Are we inconveniencing the family?’

      ‘I am not sure.’ Guy rubbed his chin. ‘The old lady seems happy enough to have us here and they were quick enough to take you in last night, but I have the distinct impression her granddaughter doesn’t want me here.’ He shrugged. ‘Perhaps I am unjust. It may be that she is uneasy having gentlemen in the house. The old lady lives here alone, you see, with her two granddaughters—there was a grandson, but I understand he died at sea some eighteen months ago.’

      ‘That will be it, then,’ said Davey sagely. ‘The women are afraid of being ravaged by the Dangerous Lord Darrington! Don’t worry—I’ll soon make it known that you are house-trained and only seduce women who throw themselves at you.’

      ‘Thank you, my friend, but I would prefer you to say no such thing.’ Guy noted his friend’s pallor and rose. ‘All this talking has tired you. Rest now until the doctor arrives. I could send for your own doctor from Helmsley if you prefer, but Compton seems able enough.’

      ‘No, no, I don’t want anyone else fussing over me.’ Davey waved his hand. ‘Go away, now, and let me sleep. And tell Peters to keep out of my sight until after the sawbones has been to see me!’

      Encouraged by his friend’s return to spirits, Guy went out. He intended to go back to his own room and check his bag to see what changes of clothes his man had sent for him, but the sound of voices coming from the great hall drew him instead to descend the stairs.

      He observed a tall, fashionably dressed gentleman standing before the fireplace. He had removed his Holland hat of brushed beaver to display

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