Lord Lansbury's Christmas Wedding by Helen Dickson

Author:Helen Dickson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Jane had written to Lady Lansbury letting her know when she would be returning to Chalfont. Lady Lansbury sent a carriage to meet her off the train. It was mid-afternoon when she arrived. Chalfont was enjoying the last days of summer, while leaves still clung to the trees in the park. On entering the house she was told by the butler that Lady Lansbury had taken a chill and was confined to her bed.

Instructing to have her bags taken to her room, Jane went directly to Lady Lansbury’s suite, knocking gently on the door. Lady Lansbury’s maid admitted her.

‘How is Lady Lansbury?’ Jane asked, unable to conceal her concern.

‘She is resting, but I know she will be pleased to see you back. I was about to go and get her some tea, so I’ll leave you for a moment.’

‘I’ve just arrived, but I will be happy to sit with her for a while.’

Jane crossed the richly patterned carpet to the bed. The curtains were partly drawn over the windows to keep out the bright light. Lady Lansbury lay propped against a mound of pillows, her face drawn. Jane was startled by her condition. Her eyes were closed and there was a hollowness about her cheeks. Jane had not expected to find her so ill. When she opened her eyes, on seeing Jane she smiled. Her eyes warmed and at once she was as she had always been—kind, sweet-natured, gracious, affectionate, even despite the difference in their rank.

‘Jane! I cannot tell you how pleased I am to see you back at Chalfont—and how lovely you look. I hope things went well for you in London.’

‘Yes—yes, they did.’

Lady Lansbury coughed a little, then sighed deeply, her hands fluttering like pale flowers on the lace-edged bedspread.

Jane was concerned by her pale face and the bleak expression in her eyes. ‘I had no idea you were ill. Had I known I would have returned sooner. How long have you been like this?’

‘Please don’t concern yourself, Jane. I’m all right. I took a chill after getting caught in the rain three days ago when I took Octavia down to the lake. It had been threatening rain all morning. I should have known better than to leave the house without a coat.’

‘Have you been seen by a doctor?’

Lady Lansbury closed her eyes. ‘Yes, yes I have,’ she replied wearily. ‘Doctor Boynton, our family physician, came to see me yesterday. He left some medicine and told me to remain in bed for a few days. Have you seen Octavia?’

‘Not yet. When I was told you were poorly, I came straight up. How is she?’

‘The same. Maisie has been looking after her in your absence. Octavia will be overjoyed to see you back. Christopher isn’t back from London yet, although he is expected any day now. It would appear that things are beginning to look up at last. He’s been meeting with the auditors and others who look after his finances. He wrote telling me he might not have to sell the London house after all.

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