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Richard’s tension visibly eased. “If that is acceptable …” He glanced at Barclay for confirmation, who inclined his head. “… then we shall have a cot brought to your room. But, Miss Thompson, we have situated you and Barclay in the family wing.”
Barclay’s mother was a woman well accustomed to keeping her composure under trying circumstances. She had been forced to acquire the skill when she had kept her natural-born son despite society’s censure of her as an unwed mother. At the news she was to stay in the family wing of Saunton Park as an honored relation of the earl, Aurora threw a hand over her mouth in consternation. “My lord … that is not necessary.”
To Barclay’s ear, it sounded like his mother might be overcome with emotion, her words quavering and tight. Was she fighting back tears?
The earl bowed deeply. “I assure you … it is long overdue.” Then he turned to drop a bow to Tatiana, who was peeking around Barclay’s elbow at the scene. “Welcome, Miss Tatiana. It will be the great honor of the Balfour family to host you in our family rooms.”
Tatiana blinked her big blue eyes, then stepped forward to curtsy, craning her neck up to address the tall nobleman. “Thank you, milord.”
Richard delivered an exaggerated wink. “I am your Uncle Richard.” The earl glanced over to Barclay, as if seeking permission to continue. Barclay gave a brief nod, and Richard turned back to Tatiana. “Here, come meet your Uncle Perry.”
As Barclay observed the introductions, he wondered what more surprises lay in store for him on this unanticipated jaunt to the country.
Chapter Two
"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!"
Jane Austen
* * *
Emma and Jane spent their final hours together while Perry and Richard were somewhere in the manor acquainting themselves with their new brother. Finally, Jane bid her sister and Perry a tearful farewell before watching their carriages depart for Shepton Abbey. It was late afternoon, and the manor cast long shadows across the drive as the carriages disappeared around a corner.
Turning back to the house, Jane addressed the earl’s wife. “Sophia, I think I shall retire to my room to eat dinner. I did not sleep, and I rose early to spend these last hours with Emma.”
The countess walked over to clasp her hands with concern. “Of course, Jane. There is no pressing need to attend dinner this evening. Our guests are still arriving, so I believe it will be an informal gathering, and you can meet Mr. Thompson and his family in the morning. Should we send for the physician?”
Jane shook her head. “It is nothing that a nap will not set right.”
Sophia’s stormy blue eyes displayed her worry. “Please do not hesitate to have us summon him.”
Jane smiled in acknowledgment before departing for the family wing. Soon she was undressed and attired in her nightclothes, settling her weary head to the pillow.
Some hours later, she awoke. Night had fallen, and the room was dark, the familiar silhouettes of the furniture softened in shadow. Rising from the bed, she lit a beeswax candle and watched as the flame flickered to life, casting a pool of golden light against the dimness.
Crossing to the dressing table, she uncapped her dental elixir and poured a portion into a glass before adding water from the pitcher. Then she raised it to her lips to take a mouthful, swishing it gently before leaning over to spit into the empty pitcher beside it.
“What are you doing?”
Jane jumped in fright, spilling several drops of the watered-down elixir over the table, but managing to hold on to the remainder of the contents. Her hand came up to clutch her chest, where her heart beat like that of a panicked rabbit while she gasped for breath.
Turning around, she saw a tiny form in the corner of her room.
The figure stood up and stepped into the light, and Jane realized it was the little girl from earlier, her silver-blonde hair shining like rays of moonlight in the dimly lit room.
“Hallo?”
The girl’s cherubic face broke into a smile. “Hallo.”
“Are you lost?”
Her little face grew thoughtful. “No, but I am a little bored. I am not accustomed to traveling anymore, and I believe I should have brought more books with me.”
Jane fumbled mentally. She was familiar with dealing with children, and this girl appeared to be about the same age as her youngest sister, little Maddie, but she was groggy from her nap and not sure how the child had come to be in her room.
“What were you doing?” The girl pointed a slender finger at the bottle of elixir and the water glass standing on the table. “Why did you spit that out? Did it not taste good?”
Jane gathered her wits about her. “It is a dental elixir that the countess’s French maid prepared for me. It is not intended for drinking.”
