Page 54 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
There was a knock at her bedchamber door.
“Enter!”
A maid with a tray appeared, crossed to the bed, and settled the tray on Edith’s lap.
“Is there anything else, my lady? I must return downstairs and reassure your father that you are well.”
“Please do so. I need nothing further.”
Once the maid had departed, Edith poured a cup of tea. She wasn’t sure her stomach could handle milk or sugar. She also opted for dry toast rather than add butter and marmalade.
Louisa let out a long sigh. “Can you remember an instance when so many people got sick at an event?”
Mouth full of toast, Edith shook her head. She finished chewing the toast, swallowed, and asked, “Did you see any other articles about the missing veteran?”
“Yes, I did.” Louisa sorted through the papers and opened a copy ofThe Morning Chronicle. “There is a small article just here that mentions the veteran and the Bow Street Runners. It doesn’t name Diana, Ashford, or Lord Harbury in the article.”
“The other disappearances will come out.” She took a sip of tea.
Louisa nodded. “And we have no idea if there have been more.”
“Heavens! That would be horrible. If we don’t hear anything from Ashford or Lord Harbury soon, we will have to speak with Charlotte.” She paused. “It would be improper for me to write to Lord Harbury, and I wouldn’t want to mention the other disappearances to Alicia. It might upset her.”
Edith also couldn’t be assured the girl would not tell others about the missing veterans. She put her teacup on the tray and nodded to Louisa.
“Yes, my lady.” Louisa moved the tray to a side table.
She wrinkled her nose at her friend. “I shall write a short note to Alicia to ask how she and her brother are feeling today.”
Edith threw back the covers and made to stand. She experienced an uncomfortable feeling in the back of her throat as she sat on the edge of the bed and took several deep breaths.
Louisa motioned for her friend to return to her place under the covers and then deposited several pillows behind Edith. “You read your papers. I will return to my bedchamber and compose a letter to Miss Tilford.”
“Very well.” She sighed. It was a novel experience having Louisa fuss over her.
Louisa patted Edith’s arm awkwardly. “Stay in bed. I shall return as soon as I’ve dispatched my letter.”
* * * * *
Ashford’s butler directedNathaniel to his employer’s study. Cecil was already seated on one of the leather armchairs in front of Ashford’s desk.
His host stood up. “Come in, Nathaniel! Do you require refreshment?”
“No, thank you.” He took a seat on the other leather chair. “How is Charlotte and the child?”
Cecil blinked several times. “A child? You didn’t tell me!”
“To be honest, Cecil, I wasn’t sure you would be interested.” Ashford shrugged.
Cecil scowled. “Of course, I’m interested. I wish only the best for you and Charlotte, and congratulations on soon becoming a father.”
“Thank you, Cecil.” Ashford turned his attention to Nathaniel as he sat back down. “How are you feeling today? And Alicia? Weren’t you both at Lady Sandhurst’s card party last evening?”
“I didn’t eat anything. Unfortunately, Alicia did and was sick all night. My sister told me before I left the house that she is feeling more herself.”
“If Diana hadn’t been so exhausted from attending nearly everytonevent in London, she would have attended the card party as well.” Ashford added, “Charlotte is concerned about Lady Edith and Lady Louisa’s health.”
He replied, “Lady Louisa sent a missive this morning to Alicia, asking after her health and assuring my sister that she and Lady Edith were no longer ill.”
