Page 60 of The Curious Story of the Missing Lady
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Outside, the air pressed him once more. There was no breeze to be felt. He thanked his driver for waiting and expressed how nice it was that it turned out to be not long at all.
“If only the weather was such that we could enjoy the rest of the time this day, M’Lord.”
“Yes,” he said, “if only.”
Chapter 45
Letter from Lord Oliver Hartwell to his cousin, Lord Henry Glencourt
Dear Henry,
Please do not apologise for your not being able to see me. It is enough that you tried. But your family needs you. A sick wife must not be abandoned.
I went out searching for Madeline again last week, and again my efforts were all for naught. How long must I be tormented in this manner? Where is she? And what fate has befallen her. It is only within these pages that I dare speculate on what has happened to her, but not even in these pages can I bring myself to express the worst.
And yet, I must express the worst. For when it comes, it will surely be the most devastating blow any man has ever felt in his life. To be struck down at so tender an age, and to leave behind all that she has touched—such is the real tragedy.
Your astute eye may have noticed that I wrote ‘last week’ in the above section. It has been a week, and the reason for such, I fear, contains a bit of bad news. Things keep getting worse for your beloved cousin.
In a relatively normal course of events, I found myself visited by Madeline’s sister, the lovely Lady Emily. You remember I’ve written about her in the past. She is quite an interesting creature. Whimsical, and yet her mind is so grounded in rationality that it beguiles the senses.
Where was I? Ah yes, the reason for which I have not gone out to search for Madeline, and the reason why I am lying here nursing a wound.
Yes, dear cousin, it seems I went and got myself a disease of the blood. At least that is how the physician puts it. It is a true marvel what these physicians are able to accomplish these days. Pray that you do not fall ill to injury, Henry. But should the fates deem it so necessary, pray that you find yourself in the capable hands of a good physician who is well studied in all the latest medical advances.
Shall I tell you of the near-comical misfortune that I found myself in which led me to this literal position, this station in my life?
It cannot be told, Henry. It is too painful to recall, and only so because it could have been so easily avoided, or so we tend to say well after the fact.
At any rate, the circumstances are not as grave as you might think. I am recovering quickly. And Lady Emily has brought to light some things that may result in bringing our Madeline home to us!
Pray for us, dear Henry. There is hope on the horizon yet.
I remain
Your affectionate cousin,
Ollie
Chapter 46
She opened her eyes to the sight of her very own room, inherhome, with lovely, faithful Lizzy in the corner with her knitting in her lap, nodding off.
The sight brought tears to her eyes. How she’d taken it all for granted. There were people in this world, she knew now, who would consider their innermost desires fulfilled if they could just trade places with her this instant. What of all those who befell fates similar to hers, stuck in dire situations with little hope? What of those without families who cared dearly enough for them to take great risks on their behalf?
“Lizzy,” she said weakly.
The maid snapped her head up with an audible gasp. “My Lady! Oh, My Lady! You’re awake!”
“Not too loud, please, dear Lizzy. My head screams dreadfully enough as it is.”
Tears filled the maid's eyes, and she clasped her hands before her. “Praise be to Him that watcheth over all!”
“Fetch Papa, please, Lisbelle.”
“Right away, M’Lady!”
