Free Madcap Miss by Claudy Conn

at her door, and she called out as she covered herself to her chin, “Yes?”
    A young maid peeked in and said, “Your bath is ready, miss …” The young woman stepped into the room and set down a large leather portmanteau, a hatbox, and a large, wrapped package. “Your uncle, Mr. Ashton, sent these up.” She indicated the bag and then placed a package on the chair just inside the room. “And this package as well.”
    “Thank you, but, but … what time is it?”
    “Well past nine, miss. Mr. Ashton said not to wake you, so I waited a goodly while.”
    “Oh no, oh my. I never sleep so late … oh, please tell me, my … my brother … how is he?”
    “His lordship said to tell you that your brother slept well and has already had some gruel. The doctor is due later this morning. I think Mr. Scott wandered back into a sleep.” She bobbed a curtsy and said as she turned back towards the door, “Shall I help you with your bath, miss?”
    “You are very kind, but, no, thank you. I think I can manage. Down the hall, is it?”
    “Yes, miss.”
    Felicia’s mind was a whirlwind. She jumped up and ran to collect and open everything the maid had delivered. She attacked the package first and tore it open to display some undergarments, a nightdress, and a lovely pale blue silk and lace dressing gown.
    He had thought of everything, but the notion of him picking out the lacy undergarments made her heat up from her toes to the top of her head.
    Some thirty minutes later, having had a delicious hot bath, she stood before the mirror brushing her black hair into velvet waves. She was already wearing the black velvet riding ensemble he had chosen for her over the white lace shirt beneath, and she placed the matching black velvet top hat with its white sheer band onto her head. It was perfect. She took it off and left it ready on the bed, turned, gave herself another glance in the mirror, and found she was well pleased with the picture she presented.
    Excited, she went forward to see Scott and hopefully … she realized that the thought was ‘hopefully’ Glen Ashton.
    It felt wonderful to be clean and in such a lovely ensemble. She had to wonder just what Ashton had to pay to get the shopkeeper to open so early to accommodate him.
    In high spirits she made her way to Scott’s room and knocked on the door. When he didn’t answer, she opened it a crack and was surprised to find it swathed in darkness. She had simply assumed he would be awake by now.
    Worried, she tiptoed towards his bed, bent over, and put her palm to his forehead. Sighing with relief that he felt cool to the touch, she put a finger to his shoulder and dropped a kiss on his cheek.
    “Good morning,” Ashton whispered from a rocking chair in the darkness.
    She gasped even as her hand flew to her heart; she had not seen him there. “ Oh my faith . You nearly scared me to death.”
    “I had hoped not to do that.” He grinned while speaking softly.
    “When did you get back from town?”
    He moved to open the drape slightly and allow some light into the room before he answered, “Only a short while ago, and may I say, you look lovely, my dear. I thought that ensemble would suit you.”
    “Oh, yes, and thank you. You are as you have been from the start, more than kind, but tell me, sir, however did you know my size?”
    “I have a good eye,” he said quietly.
    “Hallo!” Scott said from the bed, making an attempt to sit up and then collapsing against the pillows. “What the deuce are you two going on about?” He rubbed his eyes with the knuckles of one hand.
    “Ah, my man of the hour is awake. What an excellent sign.” She moved towards the hangings, opened them wide, and fixed them in place. “There, that is better.”
    “Devilish creature,” he said. “All that light all at once. Trying to kill a man, are you?”
    “No, you do that too well all on your own,” she shot back at him amiably.
    He grinned. “Hungry and don’t want any more of