Page 45 of Captivating the Countess
He crossed his arms and resisted temptation. “Helen was a frail child. She was always considered an invalid and an oddity. I assume her intent is to protect her child from the same label. That’s difficult enough if the child can’t walk. Seeing ghosts...”
She nodded understanding. “I’m glad I spoke with you then. I was angry and wanted to throw my journals at her and ask why she hasn’t read up on her daughter’s gift.”
He lifted his eyebrows in surprise. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you angry. You would most likely have just slammed a book on the table in front of her.”
Bell offered a small grin that warmed him all the way to his toes.
“Well, possibly, but it might have been next to a full teacup that would slosh in her lap. I was quite upset. Has she hired good doctors to look at Drucilla’s leg? Is there nothing to be done?”
Not certain that he was happy about having one more responsibility added to his already crammed schedule, Rain wrinkled his nose and tried to remember if he’d heard anything about the child. But he tended to shut out gossip. “She has relations in London, so I would assume they had access to excellent medical care, but I’ve heard nothing. What happened to her?”
“I don’t know. I’ve only been told she’s crippled and cannot get about easily. I’ve not seen her walk. If it can be arranged, I think I’d like to move into my suite as soon as possible. It’s closer to the nursery.” She did not plead or ask but instructed, as no employee ever did.
Rain had no objection. Hewantedher in that suite—where he could visit with no one knowing. He hadn’t expected it to be this easy. “I thought you preferred to stay away from children.”
She sighed. “I don’t wish to harm them. That’s not the same thing. But Drucilla is already hurting.”
“I’ll talk to the Franklins. If the maids have made up all the rooms, they might spare one to pack your trunk. It shouldn’t be a moment’s work for a footman to carry it over. Are you sure?”
She raised her chin so he could see the flash of fire in her eyes. “I am sure. I do not know what will happen at tonight’s séance. I suggest we hold it in the suite to keep the ghost from disturbing anyone in the main house.”
Damn, he’d wanted to keep her room hidden from his nosy siblings. But he also wanted to protect his father. “Alicia wants to hold it in the duke’s sitting room. You think that too dangerous? Once you show my sisters your new living quarters, you’ll never be rid of them,” he warned.
“I didn’tfeelthe ghost in the duke’s rooms, and yes, I think it might be dangerous. The suite should be neutral territory, don’t you think?”
“I can’t say. I have to trust you to make that choice.” He was trusting her with a great deal, and he couldn’t even say why. It frustrated him not to be the one to crush the ghost, cure his father, and maintain order in his own damned household.
It irritated him worse that he could not save his father and must rely on the supernatural, but there the dichotomy loomed. His father used unnatural abilities to help heal his patients. Rain was simply angry he didn’t have any of his own.
Bell touched his hand as if she understood. He longed to clasp her fingers with his. Instead, he kept his arms folded and waited.
“I don’t even trust myself,” she whispered. “So I follow the path of caution. The suite, after Alicia’s entertainment? Just your family?”
He nodded curtly, and she was gone, leaving the scent of summer lavender in his wintry office.
Later, when Rain entered the crowded, pre-dinner drawing room, his guests buzzed with excitement. Apparently the threat of ghosts and Alicia’s entertainment was sufficient to amuse a few dozen bored adults. Of course, in the case of his immediate family, it was a necessary distraction from the duke’s impending demise.
After consulting with his sisters concerning Drucilla’s lameness, Rainford deliberately went in search of Lady Dalrymple.
His distant cousin only resembled his family in the light color of her hair. Others might call Helen’s features delicate, but compared to his sisters, they were weak—small chin, short nose, watery blue eyes. She had some of the family height, but her frame was thin, if not half-starved.
Of course, he’d thought that of Bell when he’d first seen her, but apparently some women were made slight. He was a physician. He couldn’t stop judging physical appearances in medical terms.
She jerked nervously when he appeared at her side.
“Lady Dalrymple? My sisters tell me I am remiss in not asking after your daughter.” Giving his cousin time to recover, he shook hands with the two gentlemen in her company. “Alicia hopes everyone will be attending her debut theater performance this evening. I understand Lady Pamela is a superb actress.”
Lady Dalrymple tittered uneasily. “We are all looking forward to the evening. Thank you for asking after Drucilla. She is a nervous child. I asked Lady Estelle if we could impose on her staff’s goodwill by bringing her with me. I trust the child has not been any trouble?”
“No trouble at all, that I’m aware. My sister tells me the child’s limb was injured in an accident and did not heal properly. Have you consulted a physician who works with bones? I can recommend several.”
“That is most generous, my lord.” The younger of the two gentlemen, Lawrence Nevins, spoke up. “But such an operation would be costly. Lady Dalrymple is a widow, living on a pension. Not everyone is privileged to have unlimited funds.”
Rainford smiled faintly. “Nose still out of joint from the fisticuffs, Lawrence? Or have you become an anarchist since your brother took the reins of the family fortune?”
Lady Dalrymple touched his coat sleeve. “Please, Lord Nevins was a friend of my husband’s. He’s simply being protective.”
Rain bowed politely to the lady. “And we are family. I fear I am not omniscient. Let me know if I can help. If I am busy and forget, ask my sisters. They will nag until I listen. Your daughter shouldn’t have to suffer.”
