Free Lady Elizabeth's Comet by Sheila Simonson

prove too much for your fragile constitution."
    "If it were not beneath my dignity, I would kick your shin." I sneezed.
    Bevis laughed. He looked quite beautiful and healthy as a horse. I smiled at him
fatuously.
    "If you look at me like that I shan't go home at all."
    I scowled.
    "Much better. Your nose is red."
    "The better to look down at you with."
    "That's a vile construction. Miss Bluestone, shall you not engage to correct Lady
Elizabeth's grammar? How do you, ma'am. Mrs. Finch, that is surely Valenciennes lace is it
not?"
    Both ladies beamed and plumed themselves, Miss Bluestone quite as much as Alice.
Bevis deigned also to notice my young sisters, who blushed and giggled. I reflected wryly that it
must be my fate if I married Bevis to find him constantly in rooms full of women who adored
him.
    Despite this lowering reflection I spent a pleasant hour, the more determinedly cheerful
because Bevis announced his departure for Tuesday. None of us wanted to lose him, nor did he
wish to leave.
    "Tom has been screwing my courage to the sticking point all weekend," he admitted.
"Let's hope the paternal bosom is in an enveloping mood. I don't like to cry craven, but my father
in a pet is a dashed disheartening object. He crackles with electrical fervour."
    We all laughed at that.
    Presently, Bevis turned to Jean. "Shall you call on Clanross tomorrow, Lady Jean?"
    Jean blushed her confusion.
    "Does his lordship feel equal to it?" I asked lightly.
    "I believe so. He would very much like to make Miss Bluestone's acquaintance, too, if
such a visit would not disrupt the schoolroom routine."
    "By all means, Lord Bevis. I wish to thank the earl for the use of his Linnaeus." Miss
Bluestone was not at all discomposed by the idea of an interview.
    When Bevis left he kissed the palm of my hand. Fortunately, no one observed. I felt the
tingle for some time afterward. There was no denying I was moved by him and did not like the
thought of our coming separation.
    I covered my discomfiture by tossing the brickbat of our own imminent departure for
Scotland onto the tea table. Crash. Yelps of protest from the girls.
    "Do we have to?" Maggie.
    "But Liz, we can't abandon Clanross!" Jean.
    "It's too cold!" Both.
    Miss Bluestone said nothing. Only Alice showed enthusiasm. "Dear Lady Kitty, how I
shall enjoy a comfortable coze with her ladyship. And the dear, dear children."
    Jean and Maggie groaned. Kitty's children were terrors and our own small sisters not
much better. I couldn't blame the twins, for the prospect did not fill me with eagerness either.
However, one owes a duty to one's family. I said so.
    "Clanross is family, too." Jean stuck her jaw out. "I won't go. Someone must keep him
company."
    "And soothe his fevered brow?" I regarded her blearily over an inadequate lace
handkerchief and sneezed. "Oof. Really, Jean, you've seen the man twice in your life."
    "Three times," she said with dignity. "I think you're heartless."
    Miss Bluestone cleared her throat. "If I may make a suggestion, my lady."
    "Certainly, Miss Bluestone."
    "I'd be glad of an opportunity to explore the Brecon grounds at leisure. Perhaps with
your permission I could remain here at the Dower House during the holidays and call on his
lordship from time to time to make sure he's well attended."
    "We could not impose so far on your good nature, ma'am. If you don't care to adventure
with us to Scotland, I know you have a sister in Bristol you'll be wishing to see."
    Miss Bluestone sighed. "Sophrosone will have all her grandchildren by her this year,
and that, my lady, seems to me in the nature of a dustman's holiday, if you will pardon the
expression. A little peace and solitude would sit well with me. Of course, if you foresee some
objection..."
    "I don't." I sneezed delicately and thought. "I believe it will do, Miss Bluestone, and I
thank you very much. I'm sure your generosity will relieve Jean's mind."
    Jean glowered. I saw from the lurking twinkle in Miss Bluestone's eyes