Sir Philip's Folly (The Poor Relation Series Book 4) by M. C. Beaton

Author:M. C. Beaton [Beaton, M. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780795315374
Publisher: RosettaBooks
Published: 2014-01-15T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

When I say I know women,

I mean that I don’t know them.

Every single woman

I ever knew

is a puzzle to me,

as, I have no doubt,

she is to herself.

—WILLIAM THACKERAY

The earl returned from Brighton a week later, pleased with his success. The Prince Regent had been in an affable mood and declared that if he was free of engagements, he would find time to attend the ball. Lord Denby knew, however, that the fickle prince could well change his mind before the event; still, he was looking forward to seeing Arabella’s eyes light up when he told her the news.

As he walked into the hotel, he met Lady Carruthers, who was dressed to go out.

She fluttered up to him. “Lord Denby! We have missed you.”

He bowed. “Your servant, ma’am. And Miss Carruthers?”

She frowned. “The child is poorly, I am afraid. A fever.”

“What does the physician say?”

“She has no need of a doctor. It will pass if she is left in peace.”

He bowed again and went on past her. Hovering on the landing was Miss Tonks, who gasped, “Is it not terrible?”

“About Miss Carruthers? But I gather it is nothing serious.”

“It is my belief,” said Miss Tonks earnestly, “that there is nothing up with her. I am convinced she has been locked in her room. Lady Carruthers was most displeased about the idea of the ball and said her daughter was not going to be brought out by tradespeople.”

He looked down at her with hauteur. “Does Lady Carruthers know that I have given the project my blessing?”

“Oh, yes. But she does not really believe that and she thinks you are interested in her.”

“Perhaps we should call on Miss Carruthers and see how she fares?”

“I tried and tried, but the outer door is locked, and when the servants are there, they will only say she is not to be disturbed.”

“But you have keys to all the doors. You must have!”

“We never use them when the guests are in residence. What if one of them should return and find us there?”

“Miss Tonks, no one seems to have been thinking clearly. The rooms are cleaned, as they are in any home by the servants in the mornings, whether the guests are in residence or not. The chambermaid comes in and draws back the curtains and opens the shutters, takes away the slops and anything that needs to be laundered.

“Oh, servants,” said Miss Tonks.

“Do not you yourself, as do the others, often act as a servant, Miss Tonks?”

Her face brightened. “Why, yes. When the maids are ill, I myself often see to the rooms. Without loss of dignity, too,” she added earnestly, “for no one notices a servant.”

“And a footman makes up the fires?” he asked.

“Yes, because although it is quite warm, we pride ourselves on supplying every luxury, and a fire in the mornings is so cheering.”

His blue eyes began to dance. “Do Lady Carruthers’s servants wake early?”

“I do not think so. There is no reason for them to awake early, as Lady Carruthers does not rise until the early afternoon.

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