SEARCHING FOR LYDIA by Gay Gloria

Author:Gay, Gloria
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Dwain returned with Lydia in his wake.

“Ah, Miss Millston,” said the doctor. “Your aunt has a nasty injury in one of her limbs, which I will be bandaging shortly, as no doubt Dwain has informed you.”

“I’m not—I’m not going to—” Lydia glanced at the bed where Jalenta was in a tangle of bedclothes and her hair was plastered to her head. She appeared less than conscious of her surroundings.

“You will be going to your aunt and uncle’s house this morning, as planned, Miss Millston,” the doctor said, guessing what Lydia feared.

“I and the nurse will attend to your aunt,” he added. “You are to do no work in this household during the London Season. Nor are you to live here.

“You are to go to the home of your relations, Sir Harold and Lady Sandvel when they come to fetch you in about an hour and you will remain there during the twelve weeks following.

“You cannot change your plans, according to the court order. Nothing will be allowed to keep you from that.”

Lydia suppressed a sigh of relief and thanked the doctor.

“But I was anxious to find out from Dwain here if you have your trunk and portmanteau ready.”

“I—Aunt Jalenta said for me to take her valise. It’s—ready, doctor.”

“Very well, my dear,” said the doctor. “And you have adequate clothing in the valise?” He looked askance at Lydia’s grey worn frock.

“I’m going to change into a new frock. Aunt Jalenta said to change into it half an hour before the carriage came—the carriage my Aunt and Uncle Sandvel are going to send for me,” Lydia said, as she walked out of the bedroom with the doctor.

“Very well,” said Dr. Vending with a glance at Jalenta, who had started to doze off with the sedative he had given her.

He turned again to Lydia. “I await the arrival of my nurse, Miss Millston. Once the nurse is installed with your aunt and you have changed into your new clothes, please join me in the front room and we shall await the carriage that is to come fetch you.

“If you have the valise ready, then you can have it taken there to await the carriage.”

“Yes, doctor,” said Lydia with a wide smile. “I’ll go fetch it.” Lydia had four semi-new gowns in it that she hadn’t used. Jalenta had hurriedly obtained two evening gowns as well as two walking frocks for her and a new pelisse, all obtained hurriedly from a quality used-clothes store.

It was obvious to Dr. Vending that Jalenta didn’t want Sir Harold and Lady Sandvel to see how Lydia was usually dressed.

And how Lydia was dressed was what had first alerted Dr. Vending to the conditions in which Jalenta’s ward lived.

With that beautiful face, the doctor thought, Lydia would not be long in the marriage mart. The thought must be making Jalenta crazy. He smiled at this. Justice was coming to their street.

Dr. Vending walked down the corridor with Lydia. “I would like to visit you in a couple of days, Miss Millston, to let you know how your aunt is coming along.

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