The Dangerous Lord Darrington(8)

'Then Davies and I must be very much in your way,' said the earl.

She wanted to disclaim, but honesty tied her tongue and it was with  relief that she heard the doctor's hearty voice at the entrance. Moments  later Dr Compton was striding across the hall.

'Good day to 'ee, Mrs Forrester, and to you, my lord. Glad to see you  haven't been laid up after your soaking yesterday! And how is my  patient, awake by now, I hope! Passed a reasonable night, did he? Good,  good. Well, then, take me to him!'



Beth soon realised that she was not needed in the sickroom. Mr Davies's  valet was eager to attend his master, so she left him taking  instruction from the doctor, with the earl standing by, ready to lend a  hand if necessary. Doctor Compton cheerfully dismissed Beth, promising  to find her and give her his report before he left.

She went downstairs, but after staring at the library door for a few  moments she decided against joining Miles and instead made her way down  to the lower floor.

Beth emerged a short time later, shaking the dust from her skirts  before hurrying back to the great hall where she spotted the butler  coming out of the library.

'Kepwith, is Dr Compton still upstairs?'

'Yes, madam.' He gave a little cough. 'I am to fetch refreshments for  Mr Radworth, madam. He informs me he is staying to dinner.'

'That is correct. Perhaps you would see to it that another cover is laid, if you please.'

The butler bowed, hesitated, then said anxiously, 'Is that wise, ma'am?  In the circumstances … ' His meaning was not lost upon Beth.

'Perhaps not,' she said quietly, 'but it cannot be helped.'

'But if he should become restless, madam, and cry out again-'

She put up her hand to stop him. 'Tilly will make sure that does not  happen again. There is no reason our guests should find anything amiss,  Kepwith, as long as we keep our heads.' She looked up to see the doctor  and Lord Darrington coming down the stairs. 'Very good, Kepwith, that  will be all. Well, Doctor, how is Mr Davies?'

'Progressing, Mrs Forrester, progressing, but I would as lief he was  kept very still today. Lord Darrington suggested carrying him in his own  travelling chariot, loaded with cushions, but even so I would not wish  to move him yet. We shall see how he goes on after another night or so. I  shall return again tomorrow, madam. Until then Davies's man is on hand  now and he seems a competent fellow. He will look after his master.'

He began to move towards the door.

'But what should I give him for fever?'

Doctor Compton stopped. 'Put your mind at rest, madam, the fever has passed now.'

'Of course, but if he should wake up … '

'A few sips of water, perhaps, or have some lemonade on hand, if you wish.'

'Nothing stronger?' Beth persisted. 'He may be in pain and I have used  up the laudanum you left us. I'm afraid I spilled some of it on the  floor this morning.'                       
       
           



       

The doctor smiled at her. 'Why this sudden anxiety, Mrs Forrester? This is most unlike you.'

She spread her hands. 'I am concerned that Mr Davies should be comfortable.'

'Well, make him up a saline draught, if you wish, it will do no harm.  And if he is in pain-which I do not at all anticipate as long as he is  kept quiet-I have more laudanum in my saddlebag, I'll give it to your  butler. Now, I must get on. Come along then, Kepwith, if you please! I  have two more patients to call upon today.'

Beth watched the butler escort him to the door, then turned to find the earl waiting for her in the great hall.

'You may be easy, Mrs Forrester. Peters is a good man and will know how to look after his master, I am sure.'

'Yes, of course. I m-merely wanted to ensure Mr Davies does not have a  disturbed night.' She added lightly, 'Poor Mr Radworth will think I have  forgotten him! Shall we go into the library, my lord?'

He declined gracefully. 'I wish to check all is well with my groom.'

'As you wish, my lord. You may recall we dine early at Malpass. Shall I send a man to help you dress in, say, an hour?'

He shook his head. 'Peters can do all I require-you look incredulous,  Mrs Forrester. I told you I am not at all high in the instep.'

She was disarmed by his smile and as she gazed into his cool grey eyes  she found herself thinking that it was no wonder he broke so many  hearts. The click of heels on the marble floor recalled her; a footman  was making his way to the library, a tray bearing a decanter and glasses  balanced on one hand.

'Oh, heavens. Miles!' Her hands flew to her mouth and with a quick glance of apology towards the earl she hurried off.





Chapter Five



When Beth went upstairs to change for dinner she decided not to wear  the grey silk laid out in readiness, but asked her maid to fetch her new  lavender silk gown with the white muslin petticoat.

'Ah, dressing up for Lord Darrington, are we?' giggled Tilly.

Beth frowned at her. 'Not at all. Mr Radworth is staying for dinner.'

'So you won't be wanting to hide your charms beneath a white fichu?'

'That is enough of your insolence!' Beth grabbed the fine muslin scarf  and arranged it becomingly to fill the low neckline of her gown. She  said, trying to sound severe, 'I do not know why I put up with you,  Tilly.'

Her maid merely laughed at her. 'Because you know I love you and Sophie  and Lady Arabella very dearly. And because no one else can dress your  hair quite so well. So do sit down now, Miss Beth, and let me brush your  curls for you.'



Beth had submitted to her maid's ministrations and was rewarded by the  look of approbation that she received from Miles Radworth as she entered  the drawing room. She was disappointed to receive no such  acknowledgement from Lord Darrington, who was conversing with Sophie and  Lady Arabella on the far side of the room. He glanced across when she  came in, but made no attempt to approach. As Miles took her hand and  murmured any number of flowery compliments, Beth watched the earl from  the corner of her eye, noting that he gave all his attention to her  grandmother. She was piqued; she did not need Miles to tell her that the  lavender silk set off her copper-coloured curls. One glance in the  mirror had informed her that she presented a very striking figure, and  while she would have been offended if the earl had been so impolite as  to ogle her, she would have liked to see some sign of appreciation from  him.

' … what do you say to that, my love?'

She dragged her attention back to Miles, who was obviously wanting an  answer to his question. She summoned up her most charming smile. 'I beg  your pardon, Miles, I do not understand you?'

'I was merely suggesting, in my roundabout way, that since you have  done nothing yet about your bride clothes, I should take you to York. I  am sure Lady Arabella can manage perfectly well without you for a few  days.'

'Ah, Miles, how thoughtful, but there really is no need. I intend to go  and stay with my good friend Maria Crowther in Ripon and I will be able  to buy everything I need there.'

She excused herself and moved towards Lady Arabella. The earl rose as she approached.

'Mrs Forrester.' He bowed and held the chair for her. 'Perhaps you would like to sit next to Lady Arabella?'

Beth inclined her head and sat down, but she could not relax while the  earl remained standing behind her. It took great strength of will not to  turn her head to see if his hands were still resting on the back of her  chair. She forced herself to say something.

'Grandmama, I hope Sophie has taken care of you this afternoon?'                       
       
           



       

'Of course, as she always does,' replied Lady Arabella. 'Such a good  girl, and she reads so beautifully, not a hint of impatience when I am  sure she would rather be elsewhere.'

'Not at all, Grandmama!' Sophie cried out at this and the old lady chuckled and patted her cheek.

'Perhaps, my lady, you might allow me to read the newspaper to you  tomorrow,' offered the earl, moving around to stand beside Miles  Radworth. 'It would be a little something I can do to repay your  hospitality.'

'Aye, and I have no doubt you would do it admirably with that deep, smooth voice of yours,' agreed the lady.

'Oh, but I am very happy to read to you, Grandmama,' said Sophie quickly.

'So, too, am I,' declared Beth. 'We do not need to trouble the earl with such a task.'

'What, would you deny me the company of such a handsome gentleman?'  Lady Arabella's eyes twinkled with mischief. 'I do believe they want to  keep you for themselves, Darrington.'

The earl gave a little bow. 'I am flattered, my lady.'

The inconsequential thought entered Beth's mind that his dark hair, cut  short to collar length and with its tawny highlights glowing in the  candlelight, was much more attractive than Miles's curled and dully  powdered wig. She scolded herself silently. She had invited Miles to  take dinner with them, so it was unjust to make any comparison when he  had not been able to change for dinner. She must not contrast his velvet  jacket with the earl's dark coat that seemed moulded to his form, nor  should she compare topboots and riding breeches with satin knee-breeches  and stockings that showed Lord Darrington's athletic limbs to great  advantage. When it came to ornaments, she thought the honours equal, for  apart from a large signet ring and the diamond that flashed discreetly  from the folds of his snowy cravat, Lord Darrington had only his  quizzing glass, hanging about his neck on a black ribbon. Miles,  however, wore an emerald pin in his neckcloth and was sporting a few  fobs and seals at his waistband, as well as his ornate watch. No, she  would not compare them, nor would she dwell on the fact that with his  splendid physique, the earl looked very like the heroes that had once  filled her dreams. Her marriage to Joseph Forrester had taught her to  put aside such romantic notions. It had been a struggle to curb her  impetuous nature, but Joseph had soon taught her that a husband did not  want a wife constantly hanging on his arm or displaying affection. She  did not think her life with Miles would be any different, for her  feelings for him were well-regulated, unlike the disturbing turmoil Lord  Darrington roused in her.