Page 61 of A Date with Dishonor

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At first sight of his familiar dark figure striding along the gravel path towards them Elise had to curb an urge to hurtle to meet Alex and fling her arms about him.

Not that she’d really expected him to act impolitely and depart without saying goodbye. But she’d fretted over whether her frosty attitude might have made him think she’d sooner he left directly after his business with her father was done.

‘Look! Lord Blackthorne is coming to join us,’ Beatrice piped up, noticing the newcomer. Slipping a hand quite naturally around Colin’s elbow, she urged him back along the path.

‘Lord Blackthorne, I should like to introduce you to Dr Burnett,’ Elise made the hasty introduction.

‘It is a fine afternoon to be outside,’ Alex pleasantly said, firmly shaking the doctor’s hand.

‘Indeed it is, sir, but I must soon be on my way.’ Colin looked regretful. ‘I have a patient to visit on my return journey to St Albans, so will make a diversion through the village of Woodley. I suspect a young lad might have contracted the measles.’

‘The viscount has been troubled by that nasty disease spreading in the villages around his estate,’ Elise spoke up.

‘It can be hard to control if the afflicted are not quickly isolated.’ Dr Burnett turned his attention to Beatrice. ‘I shall collect those herbs we uprooted, Miss Dewey, and take them with me, if I may.’

‘Would you mind checking on our papa before leaving, sir?’ Elise interjected. ‘He was coughing earlier and seems unusually pale.’

‘The pollen affects his lungs, I believe,’ Dr Burnett said. ‘But certainly I’ll examine him and see if he has a fever.’ He hesitated, turning solemn. ‘I don’t think he would mind me telling you that I have taken his pulse on a few occasions and found the rhythm irregular and weak. He maintains he is as fit as a fiddle, but I have to disagree on that. I don’t want to worry you unduly; it is to be expected that the health and vigour of a man of his age will decline.’

Elise and Beatrice exchanged frowns of concern. ‘I appreciate you telling us, sir,’ Elise said quietly.

‘But he is so very stubborn about accepting help,’ Beatrice chipped in, pulling a face.

‘I’ve noticed he is a fellow not naturally given to taking advice or assistance,’ Dr Burnett agreed, his expression rueful. He gave Beatrice’s arm a gentle, comforting pat.

‘If you come back and dine with us later, you could collect your plants then,’ Beatrice blurted. ‘I will pot them in soil so they don’t wither in the meantime.’

Elise shot her sister a cautionary glance. Before issuing an invitation it would be wise to check that they had enough to feed everybody. Their father was a proud man. She knew he would sooner forgo company than serve up meagre portions.

‘It is most kind of you to offer, but I would not like to impose at short notice...’ Dr Burnett flicked a glance between the sisters. His unsuspecting host was obviously oblivious to his elder daughter’s generosity. Nevertheless his expression made it clear the invitation was appreciated and welcome.

‘You also must dine with us, Lord Blackthorne,’ Beatrice extended the invitation.

‘It is a kind offer, but my reply must be the same as the doctor’s.’

‘Oh, Papa will be delighted,’ Beatrice encompassed them all in a sunny smile. ‘He likes nothing better than to take port with gentlemen after dinner. When we have had the vicar and his wife and daughters over in the past he has got quite merry.’

‘Oh...here is Papa now...’ Elise frowned as she caught sight of their father looking anything but merry. She knew only a matter of some urgency would bring him out of doors to find them. Elise felt her heart plummet on suddenly noticing he seemed to be struggling to run rather than take his time in a pleasant stroll. He stumbled, despite employing his walking stick to aid his poor bent legs, and at once Elise hurried towards him.

‘So you are not your father’s son, after all, but more like that blackguard of an uncle of yours,’ Walter cried out as soon as he was within earshot. He jostled a path past Elise, his face tense with fury, and limped on towards Alex, waving a parchment in a fist.

Elise pivoted about to watch, her complexion draining of colour. She’d guessed her father had in his hand Aunt Dolly’s letter and his irate reaction to having read it could mean only one thing...

‘You came to offer me recompense for what was priceless!’ Walter thundered. ‘What had you in mind to pay for? The loss of my wife’s virtue, or my daughter’s?’

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