Page 78 of The Quiet Wife
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Frances, you don’t believe that do you? Ofcoursehe received the note. The footman said he delivered it to him.”
“Why would he lie?” She hesitated, her voice cracking. All the colour drained out of Frances as she understood.
Lizzie looked at Jemie tearfully, clearly hating to see her sister so upset after being treated so appallingly.
Frances placed a tentative hand on Lizzie’s forearm and took over. “I should explain why he said what he did. I spoke with him before he left for Liverpool, and I was… furious. Very upset, and very frightened to think he was leaving at such a time. That he seemed not to… not to care. I was very sarcastic and asked if he would like to be notified if any of his children died.” She cleared her throat. “It was an awful thing to say to him. I thought he’d ignored the note we sent so when he came in and said what he did…” she shrugged. “I reacted badly.”
Jemie could not remain silent a moment longer. “Good for you. That’s all that I can say. And I agree with Lizzie. If he didn’t get that note, I’ll… eat my hat.”
“James!” His mother’s tone and use of his full name snapped him to attention, but he refused to be sorry for his words. It was damned well true and everyone but Frances could see it.
“I think we need to be calm. For Elinor’s sake,” his mother said.
Frances climbed to her feet. “I should let cook know Frederick will be with us for luncheon,” she said before turning to her sister. “He’s never going to forgive me for that, is he?”
***
Later in the day, Jemie sauntered towards the kitchen and found the footman, Albert, if memory served, heading towards the dining room.
“Aha, just the man!”
Albert stopped and smiled. “Can I help you with something, sir?”
“Indeed. Was it you who took the letter last night to Mr Leyland?”
Albert shifted uncomfortably. “Yes, sir.”
“Where did you eventually locate him? I believe it took some time.”
A soft pink tinged Albert’s young cheeks. He swallowed. “I… ah… I…”
“Just between us.”
Albert relaxed a little. “Well, I couldn’t find him at first. I went to the offices like I was told, but he’d left. I visited the flat in Liverpool where he usually stays when he’s there, but they told me he’d gone out for the evening. I waited and waited, but he didn’t come back. After a while, I think they felt sorry for me and one of the grooms came and had a word.”
Jemie nodded. “Go on.”
“Well… well, he said… please don’t say anything to Mrs Leyland, but he told me he’d driven him to a hotel in Liverpool to meet someone and that he wouldn’t be returning until the morning.”
“Which hotel?”
Albert sagged a little more.“He went to the Queen’s Hotel. The one by Lime Street railway station.”
“Did you hand the letter to him yourself?”
Albert shook his head. “I spoke to a man on the desk. He said that Mr Leyland had taken a room but given instructions not to be disturbed. I explained his daughter might be dying and it was important that he went home. The man said I could go up. I went to his room, and he answered the door. He was not best pleased; I can tell you. In fact, I thought he was going to sack me on the spot. I handed him the letter and ran.”
“Good lad,” Jemie patted the boy on the arm.
“Do you think so, sir? Is Miss Elinor on the mend?”
Jemie nodded. “She is stronger, so her mama is hopeful. Mr Leyland is home now, so all is well and there is nothing for you to worry about.”
Albert looked unconvinced.
“Have you ever read any books by a chap called Dickens?”
Albert shook his head. “Can’t say I have, sir.”
