‘No, it is not wind, sir, I can assure you.’
‘I have sent for the doctor,’ put in the landlord, wiping his hands on his apron and gazing in consternation at the miserable figure hunched before him. ‘He should be here within the hour.’
‘Very well, we will wait and see what he says.’
‘Yes, yes, we will see what he says,’ repeated Settle. He waved to one of the footmen. ‘You, come here and give me your arm. I must lie down upon my bed.’
With a great deal of puffing and panting and the occasional wince of pain Settle was helped to his feet and staggered out of the room. He was almost bent double and would not have paid any heed to Elyse if she had not addressed him.
‘Why Mr Settle whatever is the matter?’
‘Pains, Miss Salforde, agonising pains throughout my body. I fear I shall not be able to travel further with you.’
He hobbled away with the footman’s help and Elyse approached Drew. He was still frowning, but when he saw her he took her into the private parlour, where a breakfast of rolls and cold meat was laid out in readiness for them.
‘It would appear that whatever ailment has afflicted Lord Whittlewood’s family has been passed on to his secretary.’ He pulled out a chair for her. ‘I only hope you do not contract it, having spent the night at the house.’
‘I feel perfectly well,’ she reassured him. ‘But poor Mr Settle, I do hope it is nothing serious.’
‘It is my opinion that the fellow is shamming.’
Elyse put down her knife and fork and stared at him.
‘Why should he do that?’
He was looking very serious, but after a moment he shrugged and said lightly, ‘Do not mind me, I am very impatient of illness.’
‘But if it is serious we shall have to delay our journey.’
‘Oh, I do not think it will come to that,’ he said, filling their coffee cups. ‘Let us wait and see what the doctor says.’
They were finishing their meal when the landlord came in to say that the doctor had arrived and was with Mr Settle.
‘Very well,’ said Drew grimly, ‘Let us go and see what he has to say.’
He followed the landlord out of the room and Elyse was left alone to while away the time as best she might. It was some fifteen minutes before Drew returned.
‘Well?’ She went over to him immediately. ‘How is Mr Settle?’
‘The doctor is baffled, but agrees with Settle that he should travel no further until he feels better.’
‘What? But how can that be?’
‘Precisely.’ Drew nodded, meeting her eyes with a sombre look in his own. ‘He prodded and poked the fellow but has no idea what is the matter with him, and can only concur with Settle’s own decision to keep to his bed.’
‘Does that mean we cannot continue?’ asked Elyse.
‘Oh, no, I shall take you on to Bath alone.’
She gave a long sigh of relief. ‘Oh, thank you, Mr Bastion. That is wonderful news.’
‘Is it, though?’
She gave him a questioning look and his thoughtful mood vanished. He smiled at her.
‘Go and finish packing up your things. We have already lost a couple of hours but I hope we can still reach Marlborough this evening.’
Elyse was afraid that being shut up in the carriage with Drew for hours on end would be difficult, but in fact Mr Settle’s absence seemed to lessen the constraint. She remarked upon it as they bowled along, making good time on the excellent roads.
‘There is no doubt about it, we go on much more comfortably without the secretary do we not, Mr Bastion?’
‘I think so. And it’s Drew.’ He grinned. ‘My friends call me Drew.’
She brightened immediately.
‘Are we friends now?’
‘I should very much like us to be.’
His words sent a rush of pleasure through her.
‘Then you should call me Elyse.’
‘Very well. Elyse.’
She laughed.
‘If we are truly friends then you must tell me all about yourself.’
‘If we are truly friends then I will not bore you with such trifles.’
‘Then, will you please tell me about my father?’ she asked, a little shyly.
She observed his hesitation, but he did not refuse and he whiled away the journey by telling her something of their adventures on the Continent.
‘It all sounds very exciting,’ she remarked, when he had finished. ‘Papa’s letters were so infrequent, you see. He told us almost nothing of his life abroad.’
‘Perhaps he did not wish to make you anxious,’ suggested Drew.
She chuckled. ‘It is more likely that he thought we would be shocked if we knew how he lived. I suspect you have given me a heavily expurgated version of events, but I am glad to have any information of my father, however little.’
‘Harry was very proud of you,’ he told her.
‘Was he?’ Her smile was a little twisted. ‘He was very pleased at my betrothal to a viscount’s son.’
‘Naturally he was happy to think your future was secured. I believe you were the reason he continued to haunt the gaming tables, so that he could leave you with an independence. You are a wealthy woman now, Elyse.’
‘Am I?’
‘Indeed you are. By the time he died Harry had amassed a small fortune, which I hold in trust until you attain your majority in a few days’ time.’
Elyse forced herself to smile. It was comforting to have money, of course, but it could not compensate for the fact that she had not known her father, that all she had was the memory of his brief, infrequent visits and a few hastily scrawled letters. She shook off her depression and reminded herself how fortunate she was.
‘I am glad to know that. Is Lord Whittlewood aware of my changed circumstances?’
Drew shook his head. ‘I think not. The settlements were agreed at the time of the betrothal, when your father was much less wealthy. I only discovered the small fortune he had amassed after his death and I have not informed the viscount or his son.’
‘Then I am sure they will be delighted to receive the news.’
She turned to gaze out of the window at the passing countryside feeling much more hopeful for the future. She was relieved to know that she would have more to offer William than just herself. His letters had never mentioned money and he had never indicated that the small amount settled upon her was insufficient, but she had felt the difference in their stations and had suspected it was the reason she had not seen William or his family for the past three years.
By the time they reached Marlborough it was late in the afternoon and she remarked that the town was surprisingly busy.
‘Aye, which is unfortunate,’ muttered her companion.
‘But why? Mr Settle told us our rooms at the Castle were bespoke, so we should have no difficulty.’
‘I was hoping we might find accommodation elsewhere.’ When she looked askance at him he added, ‘Getting to sleep in a busy coaching in can be the very devil.’
‘We have managed very well so far,’ she said as he handed her down. ‘Do not fret, sir, I shall not plague you with my complaints.’
Determined to be cheerful, she followed him into the inn and was soon being escorted upstairs by the female servant appointed to act as her lady’s maid for the duration of their stay. Drew remained below to explain to the landlord that the viscount’s secretary had been detained and to confirm that a private parlour had been set aside for them.
‘Aye, sir. Lord Whittlewood’s orders have been followed to the letter.’ The landlord replied with a genial smile, but there was a slight frown in his eyes as he regarded Drew. ‘Beggin’ your pardon, sir, but you looks very familiar. Have you stayed here before, perhaps?’
Drew shook his head and shifted his position so that the light was behind him.
‘This is the first time I have enjoyed his lordship’s hospitality.’
The landlord regarded him for a little longer before saying with a shrug and a smile.
‘Strange, because I’m very good with faces.’
‘You must see a great many, running such a busy house.’
‘Aye, sir, that I do.’ His host puffed out his chest, saying proudly, ‘Been here for twenty-five years, man and boy.’ He broke off, his head going up. ‘Ah, there’s another coach arriving. If you’ll excuse me, sir, I’ll have to go.’
Drew excused him gladly and ran up the stairs. The inn was full to overflowing and he had his own reasons for wanting to avoid the crowds, but he also wanted to warn Elyse to stay out of the public rooms. The serving maid was just setting off down the stairs with Elyse’s travelling gown and when he knocked on the door Elyse answered it cautiously, opening it only a crack.
‘Let me in,’ he said tersely. ‘I need to speak to you.’
It was only when he had entered and shut the door behind him did the reason for her caution become apparent. She was wearing a dressing gown. It covered her from neck to toe, but from her self-conscious look he guessed she was probably wearing very little beneath. For a moment he forgot what he had come for, distracted by the thought of the delectable figure beneath those folds of frothy lace. When her hand crept to her neck he realised he was staring. He cleared his throat and dragged his eyes to her face.
‘I beg your pardon. I just came to warn you to keep to your room or to the private parlour while we are here. The inn is full tonight.’