Page 395 of From Rakes to Riches

Lord Thurlow sighed. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You never attend parties. Yet tonight you take your wife to a dinner. Something’s different.”

“Father, I didn’t know you needed to approve my schedule.”

Unnoticed, Victoria stared wide-eyed between them. Lord Thurlow had asked her not to confide his railway plans to his father. She imagined that would lead to many more arguments.

She stepped away from the doorway when she heard Mrs. Wayneflete in the entrance hall, consulting with Smith and then sending everyone off to bed. The housekeeper bustled up the corridor, gave Victoria a brief smile, then put an arm around Nurse Carter.

“Go to the kitchen, dear, I’ve put on a pot of tea. I’ll be in to speak with you soon.”

After the nurse walked away hugging herself, the housekeeper glanced into the earl’s room, then gave Victoria a sympathetic smile.

“Right on schedule,” Mrs. Wayneflete said.

Victoria could only blink at her before saying, “This has happened before?”

“Every night since I’ve been here. The earl’s in a lot of pain, and wants more of his medicine, which the nurse can’t give him for fear of killing him. He sets up a fuss and attempts to bribe the servants, threatening them with the loss of their positions if theydon’t do as he says. Why do you think so many housekeepers quit?”

“I am so sorry to involve you in all this,” Victoria whispered. Would Mrs. Wayneflete finally leave her after all these years?

“Now don’t you worry, my lady. I feel sorry for the old gent. Menfolk always do like to feel above the ruin of time. But your husband, he seems to be making things worse, now doesn’t he?”

Victoria winced. “He doesn’t know what to say to his father.”

“Why don’t you take him on back to your room and let me deal with this?”

Mrs. Wayneflete sailed into the earl’s bedroom, wearing her uniform as if she never took it off, bringing with her surety and common sense.

“Now my lords, we all need to be going to bed here. You can talk in the morning.”

“Thinks he knows better than everybody,” the earl grumbled.

But Victoria could see him rubbing his legs where they were covered by the blanket.

“If you haven’t scared off Nurse Carter, I’m sure she’ll come give your legs a good kneading. And then in the morning, we’re sending for your doctor.”

“It’s about time,” Lord Thurlow said.

Mrs. Wayneflete sent him an arch look. “Then why haven’t you done it before now, my lord?”

The earl shook his finger at the housekeeper. “I won’t be ordered about like a child. That old quack can’t help me anymore, said so himself!”

The housekeeper straightened the crumpled blanket over the earl’s lap. “Nurse Carter tells me it’s been months since you saw the doctor, my lord. Maybe he can provide new medicine.”

“Nothing will help but to die, and I’m just trapped in this body waiting.”

“Father—”

“Get out of here.” The earl pointed at the door, and then saw Victoria.

She saw the wash of red stain his pale face, and she realized her mistake.

“Do you like what you’re seeing, girl? Do you feel closer to my fortune?”

Blood drained from her face. “My lord, I never?—”

Lord Thurlow stepped between her and the earl. “I told you to leave her alone.”

---