Page 56 of Gallant Waif
“Yes, that’s one point that I must confess quite eludes me. Do, pray, explain, dear boy. I know a little of Miss Farleigh’s story…”
Kate leapt from her chair. She stole to the door and leaned against it, breathless with fear. The Coloneldidknow her. He would tell Jack everything. Kate chewed her lip worriedly. She would have to leave. She couldn’t bear to see Jack’s face when he knew.
“Knew her brothers and met her father on several occasions. In Spain, you understand. And I have met Miss Farleigh once before, though she looked a little different then…But your grandmother’s ward? I never heard that you were related to Farleighs, Jack.”
“We’re not, of course. No blood relation at all as far as I know. She—my grandmother, I mean—was Miss Farleigh’s mother’s godmother.”
“Ah,” murmured Francis ironically. “A close family connection, I see.”
Oh, for goodness’ sake, get on with it! thought Kate. The tension was killing her.
Jack shrugged ruefully. “Well, you all know my grandmother—if she decides the connection is a close one then neither mortal man nor woman, can shift her.”
“No, indeed,” agreed Andrew. “Nor the immortals, I’d wager.”
Sir Toby interrupted. “I don’t understand what your grandmother’s got to do with this, Jack. Terrifying old woman! Treats me like a scrubby schoolboy every time I have the misfortune to run into her. As far as I’m concerned, the further she stays out of everything the better.” He paused a moment, then said with deepening suspicion, “I say! She’s not here, is she? Lurkin’ upstairs somewhere?”
Kate could have screamed with frustration.
“Oh, shut up, Tubby, you fool!” chuckled Andrew good-naturedly. “Let Jack finish his story. The oriental doctor, Jack,” he prompted.
“Well, as I said,” continued Jack, “Miss Farleigh’s brother regained full use of his limb, and she told me about it, though, like the fool I was, I wouldn’t listen to her…Damn near bit her head off for trying.”
“I can well imagine,” said Sir Toby frankly. “And, what’s more, you can be devilish unpleasant to be around when you’re like that, Jack; take my word for it. Wouldn’t have come uninvited like this, except Francis made me. Expected to see you snarling round the place like a bad-tempered wolf. Had to stop for a few quick ones on the way. Wasn’t going to tackle you sober! So what’d she do? Whisper sweet nothings, eh?”
Kate clenched her fists.
Jack chuckled. “On the contrary, she told me that if I wanted to spend the rest of my life being a cripple and falling off horses, to go right ahead doing what I was doing!”
“She didn’t?” gasped Sir Toby.
“She did. Told me to my head I was wallowing in self-pity, too.”
“Good God!” said Francis.
“You didn’t hit her, did you, Jack?” said Sir Toby.
“Oh, don’t be so stupid, Tubby,” said Andrew.
“No, Tubby, but she certainly got blasted for her efforts, as I expect you can imagine. But the words stuck in my mind and finally bored their way into what was left of my sanity. So I eventually swallowed my pride, sought her assistance, and to cut a long story short I can ride. It’s not a pretty sight, but nevertheless I stay on. I’ve not ridden to hounds yet, but it won’t be long before I’m up to it. So, Tubby, old fellow, you were quite right after all; I am a lucky man—thanks to Miss Farleigh.”
Kate relaxed briefly against the wall. Tears glimmered in her eyes. She’d given him something good to remember her by, at least. When he knew the truth, perhaps his condemnation would be tempered by the memory of her help with his leg.
The men in the next room fell silent for a while, only the occasional clink of a glass or the crackling of the fire could be heard. Then Andrew Lennox spoke, and at his words tension raced through Kate once more.
“You said you’d met Miss Farleigh before, Francis?”
“Indeed, I have,” he affirmed. “Though it took me a moment or two to place where I’d first seen her.”
“Where was it?” enquired Andrew.
Kate closed her eyes and held her breath.
“At the final siege of Badajoz,” the Colonel announced coolly.
Kate’s eyes flew open.Badajoz?
“Badajoz? You cannot be serious! Explain yourself, Francis,” demanded Andrew.
