histories, biographies, travelers’ tales, books of prints and a variety of other volumes.
“Here you are,” announced Richard cheerfully. “Whatever your taste, you must find sufficient reading matter here to last for months.”
“Indeed, you should not have troubled, Mr. Carstairs.”
“Miss Lucy painted such a pathetic picture of your lying in your sickbed surrounded by sermons,” explained Lord Denham, “that we could do no less.”
Lucy surveyed the scene with disapproval.
“We cannot leave these all over the floor. I think there is an unused bookshelf in the room beside yours, Lord Denham. Pray come and help me find it.”
They departed.
“You are very kind, Mr. Carstairs,” Miss Fell thanked him. “I confess I cannot appreciate Count Casimir as I ought without Lucy’s exclamations and comments as leavening. These will be a most welcome alternative.”
“We shall place them where you can reach them from your bed,” said Richard seriously, “but I trust you will soon be strong enough to make use of the library. When you are able to be about, I beg you will treat this house as your home: the library, the music room, the gardens. I believe my mother has instructed Mary to wait on you, so if there is anything you need, tell her. I shall return in about a fortnight; and if you are well enough, I shall escort you to London. In the meantime, do not let my Aunt Florence browbeat you.”
“Miss Carstairs came to see me this morning and she was most cordial and sympathetic. Everyone is so kind to me. I cannot hope to repay it; I must study to deserve it.”
“Be a friend to my sister and a companion to my mother, and we shall be your family as long as you need us. The Carstairs do not abandon those in trouble.”
So, thought Miss Fell sadly as he left her, I am nothing to him but a family obligation. Well, I am lucky to be that, in truth. I could have been found by anyone. Or no one.
Her reverie was interrupted by a heavy tread in the passage, a crash, and a thump on the door, which heralded Lord Denham and a footman, James, bearing between them a large carved oak bookcase, hideously ornate. Moving a chair, they placed it by the bed. Lord Denham sat down on the chair with a groan and wiped his forehead, while James started putting books on the shelves.
“Whew! That must weigh half a ton!” complained his lordship, fanning himself. “I hope only that it will not give you nightmares, Miss Fell. Look at those devilish dragons climbing the sides!”
“Lord Denham, you should not have been carrying that. Surely there is another servant…”
“Lucy’s orders.” He grinned. “Thomas was called away to sit on a trunk that could not be closed and since he was to take it downstairs thereafter, I decided the bookcase would be lighter. I do not think it is, however. What a frightful piece of furniture! But Lucy would have it that you could not have books cluttering up your chamber a moment longer. I’d have made her do it had her mama not summoned her.”
Miss Fell laughed.
“Lucy cannot have been serious, my lord. Though she is so excited about going to London that I am sure she cannot think straight. I believe she has not sat still for a moment all morning.”
Richard popped his head round the door.
“There you are, Tony. Let us get out of this madhouse before my mother finds me anything else to do. Begging your pardon, Miss Fell. Your room is a haven of quiet in Bedlam, but we are not safe even here. You will excuse me if I take Tony to inspect the stables before we are caught.”
“Certainly, Mr. Carstairs. I give you my word I will not reveal your whereabouts. My lips are sealed.”
They had not been gone five minutes when Lucy reappeared. “I thought Richard was here,” she said crossly. “I want him to persuade mama to let me ride part of the way instead of traveling in that stuffy carriage.”
“He is not here, as you see, my dear. I daresay you will find him shortly. Are you
“Here you are,” announced Richard cheerfully. “Whatever your taste, you must find sufficient reading matter here to last for months.”
“Indeed, you should not have troubled, Mr. Carstairs.”
“Miss Lucy painted such a pathetic picture of your lying in your sickbed surrounded by sermons,” explained Lord Denham, “that we could do no less.”
Lucy surveyed the scene with disapproval.
“We cannot leave these all over the floor. I think there is an unused bookshelf in the room beside yours, Lord Denham. Pray come and help me find it.”
They departed.
“You are very kind, Mr. Carstairs,” Miss Fell thanked him. “I confess I cannot appreciate Count Casimir as I ought without Lucy’s exclamations and comments as leavening. These will be a most welcome alternative.”
“We shall place them where you can reach them from your bed,” said Richard seriously, “but I trust you will soon be strong enough to make use of the library. When you are able to be about, I beg you will treat this house as your home: the library, the music room, the gardens. I believe my mother has instructed Mary to wait on you, so if there is anything you need, tell her. I shall return in about a fortnight; and if you are well enough, I shall escort you to London. In the meantime, do not let my Aunt Florence browbeat you.”
“Miss Carstairs came to see me this morning and she was most cordial and sympathetic. Everyone is so kind to me. I cannot hope to repay it; I must study to deserve it.”
“Be a friend to my sister and a companion to my mother, and we shall be your family as long as you need us. The Carstairs do not abandon those in trouble.”
So, thought Miss Fell sadly as he left her, I am nothing to him but a family obligation. Well, I am lucky to be that, in truth. I could have been found by anyone. Or no one.
Her reverie was interrupted by a heavy tread in the passage, a crash, and a thump on the door, which heralded Lord Denham and a footman, James, bearing between them a large carved oak bookcase, hideously ornate. Moving a chair, they placed it by the bed. Lord Denham sat down on the chair with a groan and wiped his forehead, while James started putting books on the shelves.
“Whew! That must weigh half a ton!” complained his lordship, fanning himself. “I hope only that it will not give you nightmares, Miss Fell. Look at those devilish dragons climbing the sides!”
“Lord Denham, you should not have been carrying that. Surely there is another servant…”
“Lucy’s orders.” He grinned. “Thomas was called away to sit on a trunk that could not be closed and since he was to take it downstairs thereafter, I decided the bookcase would be lighter. I do not think it is, however. What a frightful piece of furniture! But Lucy would have it that you could not have books cluttering up your chamber a moment longer. I’d have made her do it had her mama not summoned her.”
Miss Fell laughed.
“Lucy cannot have been serious, my lord. Though she is so excited about going to London that I am sure she cannot think straight. I believe she has not sat still for a moment all morning.”
Richard popped his head round the door.
“There you are, Tony. Let us get out of this madhouse before my mother finds me anything else to do. Begging your pardon, Miss Fell. Your room is a haven of quiet in Bedlam, but we are not safe even here. You will excuse me if I take Tony to inspect the stables before we are caught.”
“Certainly, Mr. Carstairs. I give you my word I will not reveal your whereabouts. My lips are sealed.”
They had not been gone five minutes when Lucy reappeared. “I thought Richard was here,” she said crossly. “I want him to persuade mama to let me ride part of the way instead of traveling in that stuffy carriage.”
“He is not here, as you see, my dear. I daresay you will find him shortly. Are you
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