Page 26 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
Elizabeth realized she would need to keep a closer eye upon her sister and search for more signs of fantastical thinking. It had always been her great fear that one day Frances would need be locked away for her own safety and protection but Elizabeth vowed she would do everything to ensure it did not happen. She had heard terrible tales of what happened in such places, especially to young, attractive women. It was her greatest fear that men would take liberties with her on the outside where she was relatively secure. Elizabeth did not wish to imagine what could happen in a place like Bedlam where derangement and melancholy ran rampant.
“The Duke asks of you,” Frances whispered with a giggle in her voice. “He sends his regards.”
Elizabeth was quite certain she had faced enough surprises for one morning.
“Which duke?” she asked dumbly, even though she knew precisely to whom Frances referred.
“The Duke of Pembroke, silly! We will travel there soon and he can ask you himself how you are instead of asking Herbert to ask me. I think he is acting quite childish using me to learn about you, do you not agree?”
“Franny, that is simply untrue,” Elizabeth sighed and pulling her sister toward the waiting coach. “You must not permit yourself to be caught up in a realm of fantasy. If Father catches wind of you saying such things…”
She did not want to finish the sentence any more than she wanted to entertain the notion of Frances being institutionalized. This time it was Frances who stopped and she peered defiantly at Elizabeth as she pulled her arm from her sister’s grasp.
“What fantasy? Mr. Barlough and I speak often!”
“If you say so,” Elizabeth muttered, unwilling to begin a fight she could not end on good standing. “I believe you.”
“I speak the truth!” Frances insisted. “Mr. Barlough told me! We will all go to Pembroke together and I will be with my love soon!”
“Perhaps you were dreaming again,” Elizabeth suggested softly, not wanting to upset her. When Frances got an idea in her mind, it was oft difficult to change it, no matter how unreasonable it might be. Elizabeth did not wish to create a scene in the marketplace when the townsfolk were already regarding them with such scrutiny and disgust.
“Come along now, Father awaits us.”
“Liza, I am not daft nor am I as simple as you and David would believe!”
There was sternness to her tone which surprised Elizabeth. A vivid clarity shone in Frances’ yellow-brown eyes and she narrowed her lids in anger.
“I do not believe you are daft,” Elizabeth answered defiantly for she truly did not believe her sister was a simpleton. “You are kind and wonderful—”
“I have not lost my senses!” Frances cried. “I will show you the letters when we return to the manor.”
“I would like very much to see them.” Elizabeth hoped her tone was placating enough but she could see Frances was becoming agitated.
“Come along, Franny,” Elizabeth urged. Around her, the stares of the townspeople were becoming more distinctive and Elizabeth worried that she was already whetting their wagging tongues. Elizabeth wondered what they thought when they saw the ladies of Gordon walking through the streets.
To them we are a hussy and an imbecile,she realized with great sadness.It matters not that we are sensitive and loving beneath the titles and innuendo.
The ride back to the house was silent and Elizabeth could see her sister was angered by how she had reacted to her news. Elizabeth reminded herself that Frances’ emotions were akin to that of a child and must be treated accordingly.
If she wishes to believe she is receiving letters from Mr. Barlough, who am I to dismiss her imagination? It is good to see her happy.
It was only a short trip back to the manor and when they stopped, Frances did not wait for the coachman to escort her down. Frances all but leapt from the coach, stunning the coachman as he rounded the carriage, and disappearing into the house as Elizabeth stared after her.
“She seems quite upset,” David commented. “What happened?”
Elizabeth had not seen her young brother nearby. His bow and arrows were slung over his shoulders.
“She got particularly worked up over a matter I am not certain is real,” Elizabeth confessed, sighing heavily. “I will give her time before I seek her out.”
She nodded at her brother’s gear and chuckled.
“Have you been practicing? I daresay you look just like a soldier of days past.”
“Indeed,” David confirmed. “I have been practicing my shots.”
“I cannot recall the last time I saw you with your archery tools. Are we going to war?”
It was a jest but David shook his head and widened his hazel eyes.
