Free The Lady Next Door by Laura Matthews Page B

William asked impudently, his eyes dancing with mirth.
    “The Hortons will be lucky if they ever become anyone’s in-laws. I’m glad you were able to draw Miss Sandburn out. No doubt she has a wretched life there.”
    “She’s an appealing young woman. You would do well to get to know her better.”
    “Ah, but, William, you have stolen a march on me and after my unfortunate inability to include her in the conversation, she would have every right to look on me most unfavorably.” The earl regarded his secretary speculatively. “Have you a mind to pursue the acquaintance?”
    William met his eyes with perfect candor. “I believe I do. I trust you have no objection.”
    “None. You may find some difficulty in seeing her, however. They will probably bring her to York with them, but I would hazard a guess they treat her as an unpaid servant, and would be astonished to see someone pay attention to her. If I can be of service . . . short of involving myself with that family,” Latteridge hastened to add, “let me know.”
    William sighed. “And here I’d thought to simply accompany you on all your calls to Miss Horton. A sad letdown.”
    “Hogwash! And one other thing, William. If you hear that that woman has come to call on my sister, I am not at home. Louisa may decide for herself, of course, but I imagine one visit should answer that purpose. Now then, did you think Hardwick’s proposal for the drainage was excessive?”
    * * * *
    By noon Aunt Effie was breathing a little easier and Dr. Thorne was greatly encouraged by her progress. “The compound peony water seems to have brought some relief. I’ll send you another bolus of powdered Peruvian bark to administer this evening.” He noted Marianne’s drawn face and shook his head disapprovingly. “You’re not getting enough rest, Miss Findlay. Have the maid sit with her and get yourself to bed.”
    “I will, I promise you, as soon as she falls asleep again. Do you think she’s out of danger now?”
    “I’m optimistic.”
    “Just like a doctor,” Marianne complained, rubbing a weary eye. “Never a straight answer.”
    Dr. Thorne laughed. “That’s because we know so little, and the human body is so complex. Remind me to tell you one day of the astonishing things I saw with Mr. Kelly’s microscope when I studied in London. I’ve sent an order to Benjamin Marten for one of my own. Through the microscope I have seen the circulation of globules of blood in a frog’s toe web. Imagine! And not a thing could I see with my naked eye. Mr. Kelly holds that disease comes from without and is not an excess or lack of one of the vital humors. A fascinating theory, but one for which he can give little substantiation. Still . . .“ The doctor grinned. “Here I am running on when what you need is sleep, Miss Findlay. I’ll come again tomorrow.”
    Valiantly attempting to stifle a yawn, Marianne offered her hand. “I should like to hear more about the microscope sometime, doctor, when Aunt Effie is better.” She watched him out and turned to speak with her aunt, but Miss Effington, unable to overhear their discourse, had succumbed to sleep once more. The maid Beth was called to sit with her and Marianne, as promised, wearily laid down on her bed and immediately fell asleep.
    When Harry Derwent called, he was informed that Miss Findlay was unavailable, but that Miss Effington was improving. He was about to leave his card and depart when a commotion arose from the sickroom and, assuming a turn for the worse had occurred, he impulsively followed Roberts, who hastened in that direction. Instead of the expiring old lady he had expected, Harry found the invalid sitting up in bed commanding, “Well, find them! How am I supposed to read without my spectacles? I had them only a few days ago. Look on the table in the drawing room.”
    Miss Effington at this point noticed Derwent at the door of her room and asked sharply, "Who are you? What are you doing in my bedroom?