Lady Joy and the Earl_A Regency Christmas Novella by Regina Jeffers

Author:Regina Jeffers [Jeffers, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Regency Solutions
Published: 2018-10-06T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

O thou invisible spirit of wine! If thou has no name to be known by,

let us call thee devil! ... O, God! that men should put an enemy in their mouths

to steal away their brains; that we should, with joy, pleasance, revel,

and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!

William Shakespeare, Othello, the Moor of Venice, Act II, Scene iii

Everyone in his party had nothing but praise for the fair—everyone, that is, but Jocelyn. The dratted woman had silently followed, first her sons escorting Lady Constance and Meredith about the streets, and then his aunt and Mr. Charles. She made no effort to enjoy any of the entertainments, nor did she purchase any of the wares on display. At length, she sat at a table outside the inn, pretending to read a book she had brought with her, specifically for the purpose of driving him to Bedlam. James was at his wit’s end. Nothing he did brought Jocelyn around, and he was beginning to wonder if he had misjudged her. Perhaps she had never been the vibrant woman his memories declared her to be. The woman he recalled would have moved the heavens and earth to prove him wrong about her, but not Jocelyn. Lady Lathrop accepted whatever strictures the world placed upon her. It was bloody frustrating.

His thoughts interrupted, James looked up to discover his butler bowing to the room. “My lord, I have placed Mother Kezia in the small pantry, as you instructed.”

“Mother Kezia?” Meredith squealed in delight. “Thank you, Papa.”

Jocelyn asked, in what appeared to be embarrassed incredulity, “You brought the fortune teller into your home? If I had known you would approve of the ladies having their palms read, I would not have discouraged Constance from doing so at the fair.”

“You acted appropriately, my lady,” James said quickly. “I, too, denied Meredith’s entreaty, but after speaking to Mr. Lawson, I thought it better to employ Mother Kezia as part of this evening’s entertainment, rather than chance thievery upon my estate. Old Motshan reportedly passed in September, which is the reason the gypsies tarried in Lincolnshire longer than usual. Lawson says their new leader, Manfred, is more ‘aggressive’ in his principles, than was Motshan. I agree with Lawson’s suggestion that we provide them with enough employment to speed their departure. I understand, weather permitting, they will leave after Christmas. They wish to reach Wales by the first of the year.”

“I see.” Jocelyn dropped her eyes in submission, and James wished to catch her arms and shake some sense in her. What had Lathrop done to break her spirit so?

Instead, James thanked his butler and then excused himself from the room to speak to the gypsy before the woman began her readings.

“Good evening, Mother Kezia. It is good to see you have returned again this year.” He glanced about the room to note, as he had instructed, his staff had removed all the valuables. “I have asked Mrs. Beasley to provide you a meal and drink.” He placed a small cloth sack filled with coins upon the table.

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