Page 90 of A Provincial Peer

“Thank you, Stokes.”

Caroline took the chair closest to the door and watched as Stokes made his way across the entrance hall toward the servants’ staircase. His direction gave her no clue as to where he expected to find Lady Farwell, but Caroline had no doubt that he would.

According to the long-case clock on the wall across from her, Stokes reappeared two minutes later. Once again, he crossed the entrance hall with slow, deliberate steps. Caroline stood.

He stopped before her. “Lady Farwell will be with you shortly, ma’am.”

“Does she wish me to wait here or—” Before Caroline could suggest relocating to the parlor, swift footsteps sounded on the grand staircase. Caroline raised her eyes to see Lady Farwell descending.

“Caroline!” Dressed in a pale-yellow, lace-trimmed gown, Benedict’s mother appeared as elegant as always, but as she hurried down the stairs, Caroline noted a marked change in the lady. The poise that had always seemed as natural as breathing to her was gone, and in its place, she emanated an air of deep anxiety. “I am so glad you are come!”

Unprepared for Lady Farwell’s enthusiastic welcome, Caroline took a few steps toward her. “Are you well, my lady?”

“Well enough, although I fear the same cannot be said for Benedict.”

Caroline’s heart contracted. “Giles informed me of his illness this morning. How poorly is he?”

“Three days of fever. The blisters are limited to his hands and arms, thank heavens. Dr. Phillips has been here; he claims that typical cowpox symptoms abate within three to four days, and so I pray we shall see a change in Benedict by the end of the day.”

“Are you sure that it is cowpox, my lady?” Despite the doctor’s supposed surety, Caroline had to ask.

“Quite sure.” Anxiety filled her eyes. “Benedict stopped to see a Dr. Jenner on his way home from Gloucester and allowed the gentleman to administer a cowpox vaccine to him. According to Benedict, his reaction to the treatment was to be expected, but that knowledge has done little to assuage my concern for him.”

A vaccine? What did that mean?

Caroline barely had time to formulate the questions when Lady Farwell took her hands. “Are you willing to see him?” she asked. “I realize that I am asking a great deal of you since his sores are so similar to the ones you endured and may bring back difficult memories, but I believe a visit from you might make all the difference. He has been asking for you throughout his delirium.”

Caroline stared at her doubtingly. “For me? Are you certain?”

“Completely. He has mentioned no one else by name.” There was a knowing look in Lady Farwell’s eyes. “May I also add that if you have claimed a special place in his heart, I could not be happier.”

Touched beyond measure, Caroline offered her an unsteady smile. “Thank you, my lady.” To see Benedict suffering would be terribly hard. But she had come to Farwell Hall for him, and there was no place for her personal apprehensions. “I would be glad to go in to him.”

Lady Farwell squeezed her hands. “Thank you, my dear. Come. I shall take you to his chambers.”

With the same haste she’d shown earlier, Lady Farwell led the way up the sweeping staircase. When she reached the landing, she turned left. Caroline followed. They passed three closed doors before Lady Farwell stopped and knocked softly on the next door. Moments later, a middle-aged woman dressed in a serviceable gray gown opened the door. Her dark hair was flecked with gray, and when she saw Lady Farwell at the door, she bobbed a curtsy.

“His lordship managed a little gruel this morning, my lady.”

“I am glad to hear it.” Lady Farwell drew Caroline closer. “Caroline, this is Mrs. Abbot. Mrs. Abbot has been our housekeeper for the last four years and has recently added taking a turn sitting with Benedict to her list of responsibilities.”

If Mrs. Abbot had been at Farwell Hall for only four years, it stood to reason that Caroline had not met her. The previous housekeeper, Mrs. Lansing, would have needed no introduction.

“I am pleased to meet you,” Caroline said.

“Likewise, miss.”

“Caroline is Reverend Moore’s daughter,” Lady Farwell explained. “She has known Lord Benning and his brother since they were very young.”

It did not escape Caroline’s notice that Lady Farwell focused on her long-standing friendship with the family and neglected to introduce her by her married name. Given that she was about to enter Benedict’s chambers, it was understandable.

“This must be the Caroline his lordship has spoken of so often,” Mrs. Abbot said.

“It is, and I believe it will be good for him to see her.”

“I daresay you are right, my lady.” The housekeeper stepped aside.

“Thank you, Mrs. Abbot. I will accompany Caroline into Lord Benning’s chamber so that you may go downstairs for a while.”