Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer

Author:Georgette Heyer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Regency, Regency fiction, General, Romance, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781402217685
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 1968-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XIV

Kate had not previously penetrated to the East Wing, but when she passed through the door which shut it off from the Great Hall, and was met by Tenby, who conducted her to the saloon that was known as The Master's Room, she knew, after a quick glance round, that Sir Timothy, allowing his wife a free hand in the rest of the house, must have prohibited her from laying a finger on his own apartments. The room was not shabby, but it was rather over-furnished, as though Sir Timothy had crammed into it all the pieces for which he had a fondness, and cared nothing for the formal arrangements dear to Lady Broome's heart. He was seated in an old-fashioned wing-chair when Tenby ushered Kate into the room, talking to Dr Delabole, but he rose, and came forward, murmuring, as he saw the appreciative look in her eyes: 'More homelike, Kate?'

She laughed. 'Yes, indeed, sir! Good evening, Dr Delabole! I learn from Sidlaw that my aunt has contracted the influenza which is running so much about, and is feeling very poorly. I hope you don't expect any prolonged indisposition?'

'Oh, no, no!' he replied reassuringly. 'It is a severe attack, you know: very severe, and we must expect her to be pulled by it, and must endeavour to persuade her not to exert herself prematurely: she must resign herself to being in a tender state for at least a sennight. We shall be hard put to it to do it, if I know her ladyship!' He laughed gently. 'I daresay you won't credit it, but when I revived her from her faint, she tried to struggle to her feet, and insisted that there was nothing amiss! And when our good Sidlaw told her that she had fainted she snapped her nose off, saying: "Nonsense! I never faint!" However, she soon found that she couldn't stand without support, so we were able to carry her up to her bed, and mighty glad she was to be there, for all she wouldn't own it! I have just been telling Sir Timothy that I have given her a soothing draught, and that she is now asleep. I shall visit her during the night, but I fancy she won't wake for some hours. And Sidlaw will be with her, you know: she has had a truckle-bed set up in the dressing-room, and is entirely to be relied on.'

'Oh, yes! There can be no doubt of that,' said Kate. 'She has been giving me a sharp set-down for offering to lend her my assistance! I knew she would: so would my own old nurse if anyone offered to help her in the same situation!'

'Oh, I shouldn't go into her room, if I were you, Miss Kate. It is a very infectious complaint, and it would never do if you were to be ill!'

'I don't think it at all likely that I shall be,' answered Kate. 'I know it's fatal to say that, but I

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