Page 39 of Never Love a Lord
It was a new day. A new life, perhaps.
He got up and washed and dressed quickly, making his way down the long spiral stairs and through the corridors to the great hall. Murrin was sitting at one of the common tables with Lucy, and they seemed to be in easy conversation with one of the maids, a woman standing between the tables with a bucket in her hand, her hair wrapped in a banded coif. When the servant saw Julian approaching, she bobbed a curtsy and quickly took her leave.
“Good morning, darling,” Julian said, and Lucy’s little capped head immediately swiveled to the sound of his voice, a happy squeal coming from her. She pushed at the table top with her heels as if trying to stand, her little fists pumping the air. Julian took her from the table, swooping her up in the air before bringing her back to sit high on his arm.
Then Julian looked at the nursemaid, who had stood when he took charge of his daughter. “Good morning, Murrin. How did she do last night?” he asked, noting the woman’s pale face and shadowed eyes.
“Good morn, milord. About the same as before, I’m afraid,” the woman answered, trying to stifle a yawn. “I almost expected you again last night. ’Tis well that you weren’t awakened by her cries.”
Julian felt a pang of guilt. He couldn’t very well confess that he’d actually gotten very little sleep because he had been entertaining Lady Foxe in his bedchamber.
“It’s most likely that she’s getting used to the strange surroundings,” Julian said mildly, smiling into Lucy’s face as she smacked at his cheek. “I’m certain she will become accustomed to it right away.” He looked back to Murrin and noticed the woman’s pinched brow and flushed cheeks. “Are you feeling unwell, Murrin?”
“I’m fine, milord,” the woman said, her eyes darting to the side. “Only weary. I’ll have me a good rest when Lady Lucy takes her morning lie-down.”
“Very good,” Julian said, but he continued to look at the nurse closely. “You will tell me, though, if you begin to feel ill. A sickness is making the rounds through Fallstowe’s staff, and we can’t have Lucy catching it. I’d have to send you back to London.”
“Oh!” Murrin gasped, her face slack. “Lord Griffin!”
“It would only be a precaution,” Julian assured her. “The king’s doctors would have you well within a fortnight. I don’t know what resources Lady Foxe has at her disposal here, and I would not tax her already burdened hospitality. You would return, of course, as soon as you were recovered. I don’t know what Lucy and I would do without you.”
“I understand, milord,” Murrin said stiffly, lifting her chin as if already willing herself against illness.
“And now, Lady Lucy, will you do me the honor of accompanying me through Fallstowe in search of the lady of the keep?” He looked from the baby to the nurse. “She said yes,” he said in a mock whisper. At Murrin’s smile, Julian turned toward the main aisle. “I’ll have her returned when she is hungry. Seek your own rest, Murrin.”
“Yes, milord.”
He was nearly to the short flight of steps leading to the main doors when old Graves seemed to materialize out of the shadows.
“Can I be of assistance, Lord Griffin?”
“Good morning, Graves,” Julian said. “I still need to speak with you privately about the matter I’ve brought in trust from the king, old chap, but it can wait until later. Actually, now I’m looking for Lady Sybilla. Do you know where she can be found?”
Graves cocked one sparse eyebrow. “Isn’t that my job, my lord?”
“Yes.” Julian waited, and the man simply stood there, staring at him like a dusty old statue. “Graves?”
He blinked solicitously. “Yes, Lord Griffin?”
“I want you to tell me where Lady Sybilla is.”
The old man’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t hear my knock this morning, did you, my lord?”
Julian frowned and, against his will, swallowed. “No, I must not have.” Had the corpse come to his chamber this morning? Had he encountered his mistress there?
“Did you also not hear me inform Madam that there has been more sickness discovered in the castle and that she was needed right away?”
Hell. Bloody hell. “No. I didn’t.”
“Perhaps a lack of trousers affects my lord’s hearing?”
Lucy obviously took offense. “Bah!” she said loudly at Graves, and then ducked her face against Julian’s shoulder.
“Is that so, Lady Lucy?” Graves asked with interest.
Julian had had enough of the servant’s evasiveness. “I’ll return Lucy to her nurse and go to her at quarantine.”
Graves frowned. “Are you feeling ill, my lord?”
