Page 64 of The Curious Story of the Missing Lady
A strange sensation entered her then. It began as a kind of hollowing-out of her insides and grew to an immense emptiness. Here was a stranger reading to her. A handsome one, yes, a gallant and well-mannered one, but a stranger nonetheless.
Something was missing here. She had to push the feeling away for the time being. He was here, and she was, for the most part, enjoying his company.
Papa would approve. Perhaps that was what caused the feeling.
No, it couldn’t be that. Certainly not.
Chapter 48
She lay in bed, half-dreaming. Her time in captivity having ended not more than a week before was already receding from her to a mere speck on the distant horizon.
“M’Lady?” said Lisbelle. “Are you ...?”
“Oh, I’m fine, Lizzy. It’s this terrible condition from which I suffer. I cannot stand without feeling like an uneven ship in a storm. And so I cannot take a stroll in the garden or lie and feel the sun on my face. Listen to my voice, Lizzy. ’Tis but a shell of what it should be.”
Lizzy stroked her forehead. “It will come back, darling. You’ll see. You’ll be singing paeans to the sun in no time at all.”
“Hello? Is anyone at home?”
Lady Emily came through the door with a bright smile on her face.
“Dear sister,” said Madeline. “How I long to see your face when you’re not around. I owe you a great debt, for it was you whobroke the codeas they say.”
Emily laughed modestly. “I’m guilty of remembering too well what I read and nothing more. Anyway, I’ve come to bring you some news. I have word that Lord Oliver has all but made a full recovery.”
“Oh, what joyous news!”
“I’ve been in contact with him. He will be calling on you soon. He just needs to settle some business affairs. He’s missed quite a lot, you know.”
“Of course.” She looked over at Lisbelle. “Lizzy, dear, are you ready to perform your magic on my appearance once again?”
“Oh, M’Lady, said Lisbelle, “you give too much credit to me and too little to your own natural beauty.” She squinted at her. “Although you could use a little rouge right now. Won’t be a moment. Oh, blast it, I’ve forgotten to restock your supply. Forgive me, M’Lady. I have some in a travelling bag. Won’t be two shakes of the lamb’s tail.” She exited the room, her voice trailing off.
The girls shared a giggle.
“Dear Lizzy,” said Emily. “She worried herself sick over you while you were gone.”
Madeline’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “I am so grateful for her. And for you, my sister. And my family and all our friends. Where would I be without any of you? Oh, God, I shudder to think it.”
Emily laid a comforting hand on hers. “Madeline, there’s no sense dwelling on the past like this. Be grateful, yes, but be glad as well.”
Madeline stilled her tears. “Yes, of course. I’m silly in my weakness. Tell me of the goings on here at good old Aspendale. Am I missing anything?”
“I’m afraid it’s been rather dull. Papa is planning to give you a colossal party once you are well enough to attend if that gives you reason to recover. If it doesn’t, I don’t know what does.”
“Then I am resolved to recover post-haste!”
“There’s my girl. Oh, Papa is going to invite Uncle George next week for luncheon and guess who else?”
“I can't think. Who?”
“Guess.”
Madeline came up blank and shook her head. “I have not a clue.”
“Mr Ethan Powell.”
Madeline felt her eyes widen. “No!”
