The Lady in the Coppergate Tower (Proper Romance) by Nancy Campbell Allen

Author:Nancy Campbell Allen [Allen, Nancy Campbell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: 2019-08-04T18:30:00+00:00

Hazel paused outside the Main Room before dinner. “Table is still being set,” she told Sam, looking over to where the count sat with Renton.

Sam glanced in the room, appearing to make a mental note of the number of servants. “I’ll go check on the patient. I’ve postponed moving her from the infirmary because I’m concerned about her continued unresponsiveness. I would rather have her close at hand for safety’s sake; Eugene will carry materials up, and we shall create a makeshift infirmary in her cabin.”

Hazel nodded, then a thought struck, and she swallowed. “If I have a mad spell in my sleep, it may not be safe to have her close to me.” The notion made her ill.

“We can trust Eugene, and we can keep him at her bedside. You’ll rest easier, and Sally will be protected day and night.” He frowned. “If she doesn’t awaken soon . . .”

She watched Sam descend the stairs to Deck Three. He had been preoccupied the entire day, instructing Eugene to run diagnostic tests on Sally, who lay as unresponsive and cold as ever. Hazel offered another transfusion, but Sam preferred to wait.

She turned her attention to the duo in the Main Room, swallowed a sudden knot of nerves, and then forced a smile. The men rose when she approached, and Renton sketched a quick bow. “I’ll leave you to your dinner.”

The count nodded at him and indicated an empty seat near the hearth for Hazel. He sat opposite her with a smile. “We’ve a few minutes before dinner. Perhaps you’d like a drink?”

“No, thank you, but I would enjoy some conversation.” She smiled. “In fact, I have a question. I am curious why you would employ a human servant or assistant when ’ton programming can produce something more efficient.”

“Ah, there are some duties best performed by an actual living, breathing person. I could never utilize an impersonal machine as my personal assistant.”

She wondered if that was a subtle dig at Sam, but didn’t comment on it.

“Tell me more about my mother,” she said impulsively.

His brows lifted in surprise. “Your mother? Hmm. Your mother was a beautiful woman, truly striking. She was kind and generous, even as she lay dying.”

It was an odd thing to remark upon, and Hazel felt a sudden chill.

A ’ton quietly appeared at the count’s side with a drink. Dravor took a sip, his eyes closing in pleasure. “When one goes for a time without simple pleasures, experiencing them again is all the sweeter.”

She shook her head. “Have you known times of destitution or loss, then?”

He smiled and swirled the liquid in his glass. “I simply mean when away from home. I did not bring an adequate supply of my creature comforts from the Magellan to my new London house.” He took another sip. “You are the very image of your mother, and it haunts me.”

Hazel hoped she managed an appropriately sympathetic expression at his declaration, but her heart skipped a beat. There was a ring of truth

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