Amanda Scott - [Dangerous 02] by Dangerous Angels

the downstairs parlor where she had been conferring with the housekeeper. Shaking his head gravely, the doctor said he feared that the earl was failing rapidly.
    “Your father’s death was a great blow to him, my dear,” he said. “I think he cared more for Charles than for anyone. Such a tragedy. You have my condolences.”
    “Thank you,” Charley said. Dismissing the housekeeper, she added, “Will you look in on her ladyship before you go, please, sir?”
    The genial doctor smiled his understanding. “To be sure, I will. I daresay she’s taking all this very hard. Even were she not, she’d be sure to take a pet did I come by Tuscombe Park and leave again without paying my respects. You’ve enough on your plate, I’m thinking, without adding a bout of her megrims to the mixture.”
    She was tempted to ask him for some liniment for her bruises, but she did not, believing that, although painful, they were not serious. He had been gone long enough for her to make a list of things to do when Letty came into the room.
    Taking a seat near the table where Charley was working, the child said with a sigh, “I have been reading to Grandmama so Cousin Ethelinda could go for her walk, but she hurried back when she saw the doctor’s carriage. She asked him to look at the bump on my head, and he told her it’s not broken, which I already knew.” She paused, then added, “Is Grandmama really very sick, Cousin Charley?”
    “Not really, darling, though she is certainly distressed just now. Generally, she enjoys the attention she receives on account of her ills. And, in truth, her frailty allows Cousin Ethelinda to feel useful. When I was a child, I was unfeeling enough to think her a mere barnacle who cosseted Grandmama so as to seem needed, but our cousin is very kind. I have long since come to appreciate her many good qualities.”
    “I should think you must,” Letty said. “I was never more glad to see anyone in my life. Grandmama is upset, certainly, but she seems to believe Aunt Davina and Uncle Charles died merely to provoke her, and that Grandpapa is putting on airs to be interesting. She says she is the only one who truly suffers from their loss.”
    “I know, darling. Twice she has pointed out to me that, because my papa died before Grandpapa, I shall never be Lady Charlotte. As if I cared for such stuff.”
    “I know,” Letty said with a wry smile. “She warned me not to puff off my being a ladyship because it might distress you. And when I told her I would never do such a thing, she looked wise and said I was only a child and might not know how words can hurt people. Really, she said that, as if her own words were of no moment whatever.”
    Charley leaned over and gave her a hug. “I am so glad you are here, Letty. I begin to think you are the wisest, most sensible person in the house. Where is Jeremiah, by the bye?”
    “In my bedchamber. Grandmama is not fond of him, and Cousin Ethelinda is so restive that she makes him nervous. He’s made friends with the maid who looks after my room, so he will be content for a while, I expect. Can I do anything to help you?”
    “You may tell someone—Jago, I expect—that I shall want a horse saddled first thing in the morning. I must ride to Lostwithiel to have some proper mourning clothes made up. You had better come, too, I suppose. Grandmama and Cousin Ethelinda have proper things to wear, but I do not. My riding habit is the only black garment I own. Kerra is presently removing all the trimming, so I can show myself abroad. In the meantime, I intend to write letters to inform people of the accident. You should write to your parents. You may use some of my paper if you like.”
    Charley decided not to seal her letters, knowing she might well have to add the news of her grandfather’s death. Only Letty’s and one other, to their great-grandaunt Lady Ophelia Balterley, in London, went post haste.
    Letty left the room soon after her letter was finished. When