An Abandoned Woman by Conyngham Lexie

Author:Conyngham, Lexie [Conyngham, Lexie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Mystery
Published: 2012-06-29T04:00:00+00:00

VIII

Blair had been invited to the manse for dinner by Mr. Helliwell, who appreciated some of Blair’s opinions and enjoyed much of his conversation. The minister thought carriage jaunts to St. Andrews to go sea-bathing a base and avoidable frivolity, and was pleased to imagine that Mr. Blair thought so, too. Blair thought Mr. Helliwell might grow so worked up about the state of the manse in his conversation that he would actually show Blair what the problems were with the kitchen quarters, which would please Blair immensely: he did like other people’s kitchens. In this state of happy anticipation they were both sitting down to their soup when the sound of carriage wheels outside drew Mr. Helliwell, apologising to his guest, to the window.

‘Curious,’ he said, ‘it is Mr. Murray’s barouche, with Mr. Murray and that man George.’ After another moment, and in a different voice, he added, ‘And Jean is within. Something must have happened.’ He made for the door, and Blair, with a good mouthful of soup being worked behind his flexible lips, rose and stumbled after him.

At the gate, Mr. George and Murray were carefully lifting Anna, still in her two cloaks, from the carriage. The last part of the journey, through the village, had been particularly rough despite the Letho coachman’s best efforts, and Anna had begun to wheeze dangerously again. The two gentlemen whisked Anna up the stairs, led by Mrs. Helliwell, before a word could be said of complaint, and Miss George followed carrying Mrs. Helliwell’s reticule and an open bottle of smelling salts, though for whose use was not clear. Mr. Helliwell drew a deep breath, and with wild eyes ran up the uncertain staircase after the whole procession.

Blair was left on his own in the hallway, wondering if he should return calmly to the dining room and finish the excellent soup, or follow everyone else upstairs and make one more in a very crowded bedroom. In a moment, though, Mr. George and Murray came back down, hot from their ride and the rush, and took their hats off to fan themselves.

‘I feel I should not be here,’ said Mr. George with a wry smile, ‘but I must wait for my sister.’

‘Oh, pray use my carriage to take her home,’ said Murray, ‘I had almost forgotten to offer.’

‘Thank you. She will be very grateful.’

Blair shambled out from under the stairs.

‘Will she be all right, little Anna?’ he asked warily.

Mr. George looked at Murray.

‘I think so,’ he said, ‘now that she is at home and settled. Mrs. Helliwell says there is no need to call for Dr. Feilden, anyway. And good day to you, Mr. Blair.’ They bowed to each other, smiling.

There were footsteps upstairs, and Mr. Helliwell appeared on the landing.

‘My wife has changed her mind, and could someone please go for the doctor? My boys are out, and the maid is here, and –’

‘I shall go at once, sir,’ said Murray, and ran out.

‘And the medicine chest, in the study. Oh, please!’ added Mr.

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