Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
He reached out and put his hand on her cheek. It felt cold and immediately he straightened up. “Are you cold?”
* * *
He looked around for a shawl or a fichu. She was dressed in a simple woolen gown and not much else. He touched her hands and realized they were cold as well. Getting to his feet, he moved to her wardrobe to see if he could find a warm shawl for her.
* * *
“She needs a nice fireplace and some warm tea,” he murmured to himself, looking around the bleak room. The stone walls did not retain any heat and the shutters on the window let the wind in.
* * *
He retrieved two shawls from the wardrobe and wrapped her securely in them. He sat back, brow furrowed as he stared at her. He wondered if he should simply take her home with him. The nurses did their best but they had many patients and his mother was just not getting the care she deserved.
* * *
“Should I take you home with me?” he asked.
* * *
His mother continued to sit huddled, not saying a word.
* * *
“Is it even possible?”
* * *
I could get her a nurse to take care of her.
* * *
With the current state of his finances, he did not even know if he could afford that. His mind was in a whirl. Yesterday, he’d thought he had his answer, but today he was once again confused.
* * *
What is the right thing to do?
* * *
He sighed, summoning the nurse by ringing the bell on the table. Sister Sarah appeared about a quarter of an hour later. She peered in the door, eyebrows raised. “Is there something you need, Your Grace?”
* * *
“Oh, I was wondering if you could do something about the cold. Mother is freezing.”
* * *
Sister Sarah sighed. “We try to dress her warmly but since she cannot speak, it is difficult to know if she’s warm enough.”
* * *
Arthur nodded. “I see. And what would you think of me taking her home with me? I feel sure I could keep her warmer.”
* * *
“Well, she’s an awful lot of work. Are you prepared for that?”
* * *
Arthur lifted an eyebrow. “You would recommend she come home with me?”
* * *
“Well no, of course I would not.” She smiled sadly, “We rely on patients such as the dowager duchess to help fund our activities.”
* * *
Arthur snorted. “Yes well, aside from that…”
* * *
She sighed, shaking her head. “She’s not a danger to herself or others. But she requires a lot of care. If you are willing to give it, then she might be better off with you.”
* * *
Arthur blinked at that. He had never thought that he might get his mother back; even in this diminished state. Was he to take this as a sign as well?
* * *
“You have given me much to think about,” he nodded to her. “I shall be back soon with an answer.”
* * *
She nodded. “I understand.”
* * *
With a last glance at his mother, he walked out of her chambers, hat clutched tightly in hand. He had come to see his mother, looking for answers, but he’d left with even more questions.
* * *
He knew that there was one more place he needed to go before he could find a resolution.
Janice was surprised to receive another letter from Arthur while he was supposed to be away in London. This one arrived with the afternoon post as she was frolicking in the garden with Hubert. He had grown in leaps and bounds in the months since Janice had plucked him from the duke’s arms, and loved to bounce about, muddying her gown with prints of his paws in his enthusiasm. She loved it.
* * *
“Janice?” She looked up to see Emily coming towards her, waving something.
* * *
Janice waved back. “Yes?”
* * *
“You have a letter!” Emily said excitedly. “I think it’s from your beau.”
* * *
“I don’t have a beau,” Janice protested, even as her cheeks heated.
* * *
“Well…whatever it is you call him, he wrote to you. From London! He must miss you so.”
* * *
Janice snorted at the cow-eyed look Emily was giving her. “Hand it over and cease your dramatics.”
* * *
Emily gave her the letter and then bent down to give the dog some attention. Without further ado, Janice tore the seal and unfolded the letter eagerly.
* * *
My dear Lady Janice,
* * *
I write with the hope that you and yours remain in the very pink of health. The weather here in London is miserable. Perhaps it reflects my mood in being so far away from you.
* * *
Forgive me if I am maudlin. As I said to you, I came to London with a mission. One that was meant to resolve this strange impasse I find myself in. Instead, I am perhaps even more confused than I was before. On one hand, my efforts to rid myself of my father’s townhouse have borne unexpected fruits. Ones which made me feel that perhaps I was on the right path with my plan.