Scandal of Love (11 page)

CHAPTER 6

“Cook and Mrs. Buttersly have a slight fever,” Lydia said after waking her. It was still dark outside, a bright moon shined through her curtains.

Fevers were never to be taken lightly. A seemingly innocent one could signal a much greater illness. Whipping the bedclothes aside, she sat up. “How serious is it? Have you summoned the doctor?”

Lydia shook her head. “No, it isn’t too serious, but I think they should stay in bed and rest.”

“I agree. Do not allow them to leave their rooms, and make sure they have plenty of broth.”

Lydia nodded. “What shall we do about the meals, my lady?”

“There is nothing to worry about, Lydia,” Sera told her, hearing the concern in the maid’s voice. “I’m sure we can handle something. We won’t go hungry.” She climbed out of bed. “Could you fetch one of my old dresses?”

Lydia looked surprised. “Whatever for?”

“I prefer not to get any of my new dresses dirty. I can’t exactly give orders to the staff and oversee the chores if I’m worried about soiling my dress.”

Nodding, Lydia fetched the gown before helping Sera to dress.

Walking into the kitchen, they saw Cook’s helpers sitting around.

Sera cleared her throat, gaining the attention of the younger women. “As you all know, Cook is sick and must stay in bed. I hope that she will recover quickly, but I have made it clear that she must remain there today and rest.”

“Yes, my lady,” the three of them said.

“I realize that you all are not cooks, but I know that you have great skill in what you do.” The three women seemed to stand a little straighter with her praise.

“I will not pretend that I have any skill in the kitchen, but I hope that between us we will be able to feed the household.”

“Of course, my lady,” one of the women beamed. “I’m Mary. I bake bread here, but Cook has been teaching me to make eggs and how to cook and season bacon.”

“Excellent. We will have you make breakfast then and bread for the day. Can you manage that?”

“Yes, my lady,” Mary said with a curtsy, before hurrying to prepare the morning meal.

Sera looked to the second girl, who blushed at the attention. “I’m Elizabeth, my lady. I mainly make pastries and desserts.”

Sera smiled. “And they are delicious.”

The girl blushed again.

“Is there anything else you can make?”

“I can do some vegetable side dishes. I’ve never made them for the household before, but I cook for my own family and they seem to like them.”

“Excellent. Please prepare an arrangement of side dishes for dinner and dessert.” Sera turned her attention to the third woman. “Please tell me you know how to prepare meat.”

“As a matter of fact I do, my lady,” the woman smiled.

Sera sighed in relief. “Thank heavens! Please prepare the main dish for the evening meal.”

“My pleasure.”

“Ok, so all that’s left is lunch. Any ideas?” She looked at the three women.

Mary’s eyes lifted. “It wouldn’t be fancy, but we have some cold meat for sandwiches.”

“Sandwiches will suffice. We aren’t expecting any company today, so it will just be the staff, my father, and myself.” She gave one final nod. “Good work. I appreciate all the extra effort you are going to put in today. I’ll make sure my father hears about it.”

The three women smiled and curtsied before beginning to work.

“Very well done, my lady,” Lydia said after they had left the kitchen.

“Thank you.” Sera smiled. She may not know how to cook, but her mother had taught her how to run a household smoothly. “Would you mind gathering the maids together? I would like to speak with them before they begin their chores.”

“Right away.” Lydia left to round up the women.

A few minutes later the staff began to arrive on the landing.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I know you are all very busy. As you have heard, Mrs. Buttersly is ill and cannot oversee the chores today. Since I do not do this all the time, I hope to have all of your help to guide me through it.” Everyone smiled at their mistress’ thoughtfulness. “I assume you have daily chores that you do?”

“Yes, my lady,” Lydia answered for the group.

“Excellent. Are there any extra chores that need to be done today?”

“No. We washed the linens yesterday and most of the polishing will keep for a few more days.”

“Ok, then. Let’s just stick to the normal chores. If there are any problems, please come to me and I’ll see if I can find a solution. Thank you all for your patience today.”

The accidents began shortly thereafter. A small vase broke in the library while dusting, resulting in a crying maid. She knew she would not be turned out for the accident, but she was so shaken up over it, she cried for almost a half hour. A footman had jammed his finger, incurring a call for the doctor to examine him. Luckily, he proclaimed that it was only a slight sprain and put a splint on it. The footman would be able to go about his duties with little pain.

Sera plopped onto a chair in her parlor, completely exhausted from the day’s events. She had known how hard her servants worked, but it was completely different to spend a day in their shoes. They should get a raise. Every last one of them.

Looking at the clock, she groaned. It was six o’clock and she was supposed to meet Quinton at a soirée in a couple hours.

A throb started in her head, building with momentum until she clenched her eyes, trying to rub the pain away.

Lydia entered the parlor, her shoes clicking softly on the carpeted floors. “Cook’s and Mrs. Buttersly’s fevers have gone down. Come morning, they should be fit to return to their duties.”

“Thank heavens.” Sera opened her eyes slightly.

Lydia’s brows knotted. “Are you feeling well, my lady? You aren’t coming down with a fever yourself are you?” The concern was evident in her voice.

Sera shook her head. “No. It is only a headache, but I fear I will have to cancel my appointment this evening. Would you mind fetching me a quill and paper? I will need to send my regrets.”

“Of course.”

After securing the items, Sera wrote a quick missive to Quinton, telling him she wouldn’t be able to make it tonight.

“Please have that sent out immediately.”

Lydia took the note, curtsying before she hurried out of the room to have it delivered.

Mustering up her strength, she climbed the stairs to her room and took off the dusty dress she was wearing. The clean nightgown felt like heaven on her skin, and when she slid between the bedclothes, she closed her eyes with a sigh.

She would feel better after she had rested.

***

Quinton was finishing getting dressed for the evening when the note arrived.

“A letter for you, my lord,” his butler said, holding it out for him.

“Thank you. I take it that it just arrived.”

“Yes. It was delivered by one of the Duke of Dorchester’s footmen.”

Sera.

Quinton nodded his thanks before the butler left. Allowing his valet to finish tying his cravat, he waited to read her letter until he had left. Not that it mattered. He assumed that a letter arriving at this time meant that she wouldn’t be able to make it.

Opening the letter, his guess was confirmed.

Quinton,

I’m sorry to cancel at so late an hour, but I will not be able to make it tonight. A few members of my staff were suffering from a fever today, and I fear that I don’t feel well myself. Have a pleasant evening. I will see you soon.

Sincerely,

Sera

Quinton’s heart froze. She was ill? If some of her staff had gotten a fever it was more than possible that she had caught the same sickness. Was it serious? Had a doctor been summoned?

He re-read the letter two more times, hoping for a bit more information. None of his questions were answered.

“Brums!”

Seeming a bit startled, his butler came into the room. “Yes, my lord?”

“Have the carriage readied immediately.” Brums turned quickly to do his master’s bidding.

He had to see her, had to know how serious it was. He couldn’t say why. He just needed to know.

Quickly climbing into the carriage, he told his driver to make haste to Sera’s house.

She was fine. She had to be. He saw her not even two days ago, and she was in perfect health.

Why couldn’t she have written a few more details about her situation? Did she think he wouldn’t care? Of course he did. She was his fiancée. He was obligated to care about her.

Wasn’t he?

It wasn’t obligation he felt for her though. He didn’t know what it was. But he was worried, growing more terrified by the moment that she might be seriously ill.

Why were they driving so slowly? He cursed every pedestrian that had them halting, every carriage that blocked their path.

Why was it taking so bloody long?

He should have Dr. Whittier summoned immediately once he got there. If a doctor had already seen her, a second opinion never hurt. Plus he trusted Whittier.

Once the carriage stopped in front of her house, he vaulted out the door and up the stairs to the large, wooden door.

Knocking on the thick oak, he combed a hand through his hair, trying to calm his racing heart. It couldn’t be that bad. The servants didn’t seem to be in a frenzy to find doctors and nurses. He had overreacted. Everything was fine.

Her butler answered the door, a surprised look crossing his face.

“I would like to see Lady Sera.”

The butler shook his head. “I’m sorry, my lord, but did you not receive her note? She will not be attending this evening.”

“Yes, I received her note. That is why I’m here.”

“I’m sorry but she is not receiving visitors.”

Ice chilled over his skin as fear clawed back into his soul. Was she so ill she couldn’t see anyone? Not even him? “Will you ask her if she will see me for only a moment?”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I can’t. She has retired for the evening and has asked not to be disturbed.”

“I see.” She had taken to her bed. It must be serious indeed. He could see from the steely gaze of the butler that he wouldn’t be getting through the door. He would still see her though. No matter what he had to do, he would see her.

“Please tell her that I called,” Quinton said, backing away from the entrance.

The butler’s muscles seemed to relax as he nodded before closing the door. Slowly walking down the steps, Quinton made sure no one was looking before heading toward the side of the building. He was pretty sure Sera’s room was located on the second story, the one with a balcony. The one room with an open window.

Making sure he still went unnoticed, he latched onto the vines below her balcony, slowly climbing up to her window.