Page 56 of The Sprinter
Rest assured that the neighborhood has banded together and driven Nurse Maddington back to wherever she came from. Manfred and his wife, née Mrs. Bellevue, have taken over Lady Barlow’s care. So, my dear, while the prognosis does not appear hopeful we are making her as comfortable as possible.
I have sent my own carriage so that you might return to your mother immediately. Do not allow anything to delay you!
Marilyn Cobbs
Grace’s hands shook as she turned to the second page and recognized her mother’s handwriting.
Dear Darling,
I have finally been rescued from the clutches of that nurse. She convinced Sir Henry he need not come more, barred the door to Doctor Gregory, dismissed Cook and Maggie, and has been selling off my jewelry. I had hoped you would realize that the letters that claimed I did so well could not have been true. She forced me to write them. Lady Marilyn finally discovered all when she would not be put off at the door.
I do very poorly, worse every day, and now Doctor Gregory says I can only be made comfortable.
Please come to me as soon as you can.
Your mother.
Grace stared at the footman. “I must inform Lady Heathway immediately!”
“Lady Marilyn said you ought to get in the carriage straightaway,” the footman said hurriedly, “else anybody tried to convince you to delay until morning. She says Lady Barlow may not have until morning.”
Grace turned to Lord Glendower, though she did not know what he could offer to the situation.
“If the woman that born ya is ready to depart the world, you’d best get to the bedside, lass.”
Grace nodded, of course the lord was right. She would like to inform Lady Heathway of what had happened, but she knew all too well that the lady might be skeptical. She would almost certainly insist on waiting until morning. Grace herself might have been skeptical of her mother’s letter, as it did seem fantastical. But she did not question Lady Marilyn.
Further, she had indeed been surprised by her mother’s last letters. They had sounded forceful and energetic and not at all like her.
The truth of what had happened settled over Grace like a shroud. While her mother needed her, she’d been in Town going to parties. Now the lady might only have hours left on earth. Nothing would stop Grace from reaching her.
“The carriage is ready?” Grace asked the footman.
He nodded and said, “The horses have already been changed, miss. Please hurry.”
“Let us go, quickly!” Grace said. She strode across the floor and toward the front doors.
*
Jacobs glanced aroundat the crowd still filing into the dining room. His little ruse could hardly have gone better. His footman, dressed as one of Lady Marilyn’s own, had been positively inspired. He would have to give the fellow a bonus for it. He casually strolled to the back of the crowd and out onto the balcony.
As he stood on the darkened patio, looking in at the revelers, all he had to do now was wait. Once he was certain enough time had passed, he would make his next, and his final, move.
*
Where was MissYardley? George scanned the long table and the people still streaming in the doors. She was nowhere to be found. Neither was Glendower for that matter.
Blast it, had he pulled her into a quiet corner for some private conversation? He’d just met her!
But then, she was so striking and why had Glendower come down from Scotland anyway? The fellow hated London, he’d always said so.
George got a sinking feeling as to why Glendower had come. He was a decisive sort of gentleman and did not go flying about the country without reason. If he’d come to a place he did not like and dressed himself in costume which he also would not like, he had a purpose. He’d come to get a wife.
Of course he had! He was nearing thirty, he could delay no longer. In typical Glendower fashion, he’d set his purpose and moved toward it with alacrity.
Those two could not be left alone together!Glendowerhad come to accomplish his business as quickly as possible and then return to his beloved Scottish estate with his bride.Shewas prepared to accept the first offer that came her way. It was disastrous.
He must find them and break up whatever conversation they were having.
