Page 108 of The Curious Story of the Missing Lady
“Lisbelle, please do not judge me for it.” She heard her voice break as she spoke.
“I don’t judge you, M’Lady. Far be it for a lowly woman like myself to judge another person, let alone the sweetest lady whatever roam’s God’s green earth. But, you see, fancy will sometimes cloud a young lady’s mind until that moment when she realises it is fancy and nothing more. All I’m asking is ... are you sure?”
“I have never been surer of anything. And that’s the problem, for I don’t think I’ve ever been sure about anything at all. How do I know what the feeling of surety feels like? I’ve hurt poor Oliver. I don’t know what to do about it. Furthermore, he has agreed to assist Papa in managing the estate. There is a contract there that transcends a normal marriage.”
“That is a worrisome aspect. But say all works out and you can break it off entirely, without hurting His Lordship’s financial affairs, whatwillyou do then?”
“I will break the news to Mama and Papa. Then I will wait.”
“Wait?” said Lisbelle. “Wait for what?”
“For Lord Peter.”
Lisbelle’s face went white. “Oh, My Lady ...”
“I’ve fallen in love with him, Lizzy.”
“Well, it’s only natural you’d be soft on him. After all, it was him who saved you from that terrible house.”
“Yes, but that’s not why I’ve fallen in love. It happened without my trying. And it happened without any pretence. And lastly, it made me realise what folly I was committing in my relationship with Lord Oliver. You know when it happens, Lizzy. Oh, do say you understand.”
Lisbelle stared at the floor and nodded slowly. “I do, My Lady. I understand. One cannot tell the lightning where to strike.”
Madeline knelt down before her. “Thank you, Lizzy, you wonderful woman! Thank you for understanding.” Her tears dropped into her maid’s lap as she wept. And Lisbelle’s gentle hand caressed the back of her head as they did.
“My Lady,” Lisbelle said softly.
Madeline lifted her head.
“You must not break with Oliver. He has agreed to assist His Lordship and like it or not, that is a fact that cannot be toyed with. Thwarting your father’s plans could mean financial—what is the word?—setback. Possibly financial ruin. You are hurting more than just your father. You are hurting the entire staff of this fine house, not to mention your father’s good name. Oh, My Lady, I beg you to reconsider.”
Madeline sat back on the floor, feeling as if she were weighted there. A terrible sinking feeling took hold of her. She could weep no more.
Lisbelle was right.
Chapter 76
The coach driver helped Madeline down.
“Thank you,” she said, “and could you wait here, please? I won’t be but a moment.”
She stared at Lord Oliver’s house, took a deep breath, and then made her way to the door.
It opened before she got there, and Lord Oliver stood in the threshold, his face grave.
“I’m calling for a truce,” she said.
“Are you?”
“I am, Oliver. May I come in?”
“You may.”
He stepped aside to allow her entrance.
“Oliver,” she said, “I must be brief and to the point. Father has apprised me of your commitment to his affairs. It is very noble of you to help.”
“Thank you,” he said. “But I am doing it not out of any nobility. It is merely the right thing to do.”
