A Sensible Lady: A Traditional Regency Romance by Lown Judith

Author:Lown, Judith [Lown, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance
Publisher: eFrog Press
Published: 2012-02-09T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

When Katherine entered the kitchen the next morning, she found a morose Sally weeping silently as she spooned porridge into Miguel’s bowl.

“I know you must be worried sick about Jimmy, Sally, but all I can tell you is that the riding officers did not find him. Certainly that relieves your mind a little.”

“It’s not Jimmy that’s got me down this morning, Miss Brampton. It’s that faithless Sergeant Jones.”

Sally put down the porridge pan and wiped her eyes on her apron.

“We wasn’t actually courtin’, but he made me think he really cared for me, if you know what I mean. And then, when he coulda shown his caring—his attachment for me—you might put it, he wouldn’t so much as glance my way. Well, not for long enough to make a difference. He was all full of duty and orders from his lieutenant. I’ll never trust a man again, Miss Brampton.”

Sally buried her face in her apron.

Hephzibah entered the kitchen at that moment and cast a censorious glance at Sally.

“If you are to become an adequate lady’s maid you will have to learn to control your emotions,” she instructed the weeping Sally, then informed Katherine that Miss Summersville would be remaining in bed for the day due to the shock and upset she had sustained the previous evening.

“So, Sally, my dear, you will have to pull yourself together to keep the house functioning while I devote my time to seeing to Miss Summersville’s needs,” Hephzibah advised as she departed the kitchen.

Sally lowered her apron and made a face at Hephzibah’s retreating back.

Katherine knew she had to get out of the house to keep her sanity.

“I must go to the village to pick up those shoes for Miguel.” Katherine kissed the boy on the top of his head. “I’ll leave Princess behind to keep you company.”

Miguel looked up at her silently. He understands what I say, Katherine thought. But will he ever speak?

*****

In spite of her fatigue and the cold, Katherine was relieved to be outdoors. She had scarcely slept and the dull headache she had begun the morning with had begun to throb while listening to Sally and Hephzibah.

Katherine admitted that she could cordially wring her maid’s neck. How could Sally jeopardize the safety of the entire household by asking Katherine to hide her brother, and then show no interest in his fate? What had Sally expected of Sergeant Jones? Sympathy and understanding? When had Katherine ever received sympathy and understanding from a man? Perhaps from Mr. Wharton. But he was a vicar. That was his calling.

Sally might not be concerned about Jimmy’s whereabouts, but Katherine was. She hoped she would be able to pick up some information about him in the village, which she was certain would be alive with talk about the doings of riding officers last night.

The cobbler did not disappoint her.

“Strange goings-on last night, Miss Brampton. Riding officers tearing through the village, waking up good Christian folks, scaring ‘em half to death. Rumor says they were out by the Dower House.

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