The Duke's Deception (10 page)

He moved over to
join Lord Grierson standing quietly behind the doctor. ‘Lord Grierson, take
Charles back to Bentley Hall. It’s nearer and I’m sure the doctor won’t wish
him to be jolted any more than is necessary.’

‘Thank you, my
boy. Will you send word to alert your staff? They are bringing a trestle to
carry Charles. This will be smoother than the carriage and it’s no more than a
mile to your house.’

Theo turned back
to Tom and Billy. ‘Miss Devenish was heading in the direction of Bentley Hall,
go there first Tom. Tell the staff; if she’s not there, organize a search. Is
that clear?’ The young man nodded. ‘Billy, you wait and help them carry Mr
Grierson. I will return as soon as I can. Colchester is less than six miles
from here so I ought to be back long before dusk.’ It was fortuitous that in
the drama of the moment no one noticed he appeared to have undergone a
personality change.

The young man
who was to be his guide introduced himself. ‘Thomas Wright, at your service,
sir.’

Theo clapped him
on the back. ‘Come, Mr Wright, we must not delay.’ He tossed the village boy a
sixpence and vaulted into the saddle. ‘Wright, where will they take the body?
Will it go to Thorrington Hall?’

‘There’s no
undertaker’s here, sir, so there’s nowhere else apart from his own home.’

The doctor
straightened and addressed Lord Grierson. ‘Your son is gravely hurt, Lord
Grierson. His leg is broken in two places but that I can set. He will have a
limp but will not be lame. However the head wound is more serious. The longer
he remains unconscious the more danger there is of permanent damage to the
brain, or worse.’

Lord Grierson
nodded. ‘It is as I expected. At least he is not dead, Thank God, like that
poor boy.’

Dr Jones
supervised the loading of the inert form, the injured leg expertly splinted
until he could set the bones properly. The two groups of volunteers picked up
the trestles, one with the body, the other with Charles and in sombre mood they
trudged back to the start where Lady Grierson and her daughters still waited in
anguished silence.

Tom had had the
sense to stop and explain to her ladyship what had happened so she knew

it was not her son who was dead.
She had refused the offer of a carriage to convey them to Bentley Hall. They
were going to walk beside Charles.

‘Emily, where’s
Marianne? I don’t think I have seen her since the accident.’

Emily stared
round. ‘I have no idea, Mama. Perhaps she went to Bentley Hall with Tom to help
organize things. After all it is her home also, is it not?’ Lady Grierson
nodded satisfied this had to be the explanation.

The slow
procession approached and she ran forward to take her son’s cold hand.
‘Charles, darling boy, speak to your Mama.’

‘It’s no use, my
dear, he is unconscious. We must pray he stays that way until his leg is set.’
Lord Grierson said, gently pulling her aside.’

Theo, confident
everything was being done for the Grierson boy turned his mount and cantered
away to carry out his unpleasant duty.

*

Marianne lay on
her bed with her head throbbing unable to decide how to deal with the
situation. She wished she could move back here where Cousin Theo could take
care of her and protect her from that man. She tossed her head back and forth.
She had just closed her eyes when a loud bang on the door disturbed her. A
parlour maid
appeared,
her face white.

‘Miss Devenish,
it’s dreadful news, there’s been a terrible accident on The Green, one young
man killed and Mr Grierson desperately injured. They’re bringing him here right
now. Mrs Blake asks where she should put him.’

Instantly alert,
Marianne scrambled off the bed heedless of the crushed state of her gown. She
ran ahead of the girl and down to the entrance hall. ‘Blake, put Mr Grierson in
a downstairs room. It would be better if they don’t have to carry him
upstairs.’

‘He can go where
Sir Richard spent the last years of his life, God rest his soul. It can be
readied in a trice.’

The housekeeper
sent a bevy of servants to prepare the rooms but turned back. ‘Will Lord and
Lady Grierson wish to stay here with all the family, Miss Devenish, do you
think?’

Marianne shook
her head. ‘Lady Grierson will stay but I think his lordship will take Miss
Grierson and the little ones back to Frating Hall. I will remain, of course, to
be of any assistance I can. I have had sick room experience and can help nurse
Mr Grierson if I’m needed.’

‘Miss Devenish,
Sir Theodore left instructions for a supper party, obviously this will not take
place but it means we have more than enough food for any number of visitors.’

‘That is excellent,
Blake. Have trays made ready for I doubt that anyone will wish to sit down in
the dining-room. I believe I can hear voices approaching. Will the rooms be
ready?’

‘They will,
miss. We had only to remove the
holland
covers and
make up the bed. It will be done by now.’

Marianne went to
the open double-doors to welcome the sad group. Her own troubles were forgotten
when she saw the corpse like body of her almost-brother carried up the steps.

Chapter
Ten

Lord and Lady
Grierson followed their son down the corridor leaving their three daughters
desolate in the hall. Marianne took charge.

‘Emily, Beth,
Eleanor, come with me, we can wait in the drawing-room.’ She ushered the three
girls in. Upon the acres of polished boards were scattered handsome oriental
carpets and the walls, unlike the passageways, were pale and finished with an
interesting mottled effect.

Emily had her
arms around the shoulders of her little sisters and remained standing in the
centre of the room staring around in wonderment. ‘This is such a big room
Marianne and so very smart. Are you sure it’s acceptable for us to sit here?
Should we not go to an anteroom?’

‘It is rather
daunting. I’ve never been in here before; I had no idea how formal it was. I
think the library would be more pleasant and we can find the girls something to
read to occupy them whilst we wait.’

They were glad
to leave the splendour of the cut velvets, silk and damask covered furniture
and huge formal portraits and retreat to the more homely book lined library.

Eleanor ran
across to the desk. ‘May we draw on this paper, Marianne?’

‘Of course you
can. There’s plenty more in the desk drawer and pencils too.’ Pleased the girls
had found something to take their minds off their brother she turned her
attention to Emily.

‘Emily, come and
sit with me; tell me what happened.’

‘What happened?
Did you not see?’ Emily’s voice was perplexed.

Marianne shook
her head. ‘No, I was unwell and decided to come back here.’

‘On your own?
How could you, Marianne? Anything could have happened. Mama is always saying
that on race days at Great Bentley there’s a surfeit of undesirables and it’s
unsafe to walk about without a servant in attendance.’

‘I came to no
harm; everyone was too occupied with the race to take notice of me. But I
promise I’ll not do such a foolish thing again.’

Emily managed a
small smile. ‘Good and as Mama believes you returned with Tom let us leave her
in ignorance of the truth. She has enough to worry her at the moment.’

The afternoon
dragged on and still there was no news from the sick room. The trays sent in
were mostly left untouched. Around five o’clock they heard voices in the
passage outside the library. Marianne was instantly on her feet and had the
door open before the visitor could knock.

‘Edward, where
have you been all this time? We have been anxious about your absence.’

The young man,
his face grey and his clothes muddy, appeared aged above his years. ‘I had to
go back home to alert the staff and send people to remove Bess from The Green,
supervise, you know…’ his voice trailed off and he swayed a little.

Marianne took
his arm. ‘Come and sit down, you look fagged to death. Emily, fetch Edward some
food and drink, there’s plenty left on the trays.’

Edward handed
Emily his empty plate. ‘Here, Emily, thank you, I feel much better.’ He waited
until she had moved away before speaking quietly to Marianne. ‘Is there any
news? How’s Charles?’

Marianne shook her
head. ‘We’ve heard nothing. Indeed we thought you were someone coming with
information.’ She stood up. ‘As you’re here, will you sit with the girls and
then I can go and find out what’s happening?’

Without waiting
for his reply she left the room and hurried along the corridor to the rear of
the property where she hoped to discover some encouraging news about Charles.
She entered the small sitting room adjoining the bedchamber and found Lord
Grierson alone. He turned from his position at the window at her entrance.

‘Ah! Marianne, I
was about to send for you. How are my little girls? Are you taking care of them
for me?’

‘Yes, Papa. They
are with Edward; he has returned from his task and is remaining in the library
with them until I return.’

He nodded and rubbed
his eyes. ‘It is a bad day, my dear, and no mistake. Such a waste! Such a
tragedy!’

Her heart
shrivelled. Seeing her distress he moved forward. ‘No, no, my dear. Charles is
not dead. His condition is grave but he’s holding on. His mother is with him and
the doctor.’

‘Thank God! Has
he regained his senses?’

‘He has not but
at least Dr Jones was able to set his leg whilst he was unconscious. That was a
blessing. I broke my arm as a lad and still remember the agony involved.’

‘Have you eaten
or drunk anything since you arrived, Papa?’

‘Yes, Blake sent
a tray. I am waiting for the doctor to come out and then I’ll take the girls
home. You will stay and support your mother won’t you?’

‘I shall, of
course. I think Edward should stay as well. I can send him with news when we
have it.’

‘I’ll be glad
when Sir Theodore returns from Colchester for I cannot be certain the Whittle
family have received the news of their son’s untimely death until he does.’ He
frowned. ‘He is a pleasant enough young man but more like my dear Emily than
Edward or Charles. I should have sent Edward then I could be sure the matter
would be handled correctly.’

Marianne bit
back her denial of Cousin Theo’s shortcomings. ‘He is a kind gentleman; I am
certain he will have dealt with Mr and Mrs Whittle respectfully.’

‘You are right,
my dear. I’m over anxious about Charles and this is making me needlessly
apprehensive.’ The chamber door opened and they froze waiting for the doctor to
emerge.

‘Lord Grierson,
it is neither good nor bad news I bring you. Your son is still in a coma but
his vital signs are strong which is on the positive side and his leg is set. I
believe it will heal well, the fracture was not as severe as I had first
thought.’

Marianne felt
the icy fear begin to dissipate. Charles wasn’t dead; he was fighting for his
life. ‘However,’ Dr Jones continued, ‘I shan’t be sanguine until he recovers
consciousness. There’s nothing more I can do. I shall return tomorrow first
thing, but don’t hesitate to call me out if there is any change in his
condition.’

‘Good man. It’s
no worse than I expected. Charles is a strong boy; he won’t give in without a
fight.’

Dr Jones glanced
at Marianne. ‘Are you going to help Lady Grierson with the nursing, Miss
Devenish? Mr Grierson requires constant supervision; he must not be left alone
for a second.’

‘I am, Dr Jones.
I nursed my mother through her last illness and am aware of the duties
involved.’

‘Excellent. I
can leave confident all is as it should be. I bid you good day, Lord Grierson,
Miss Devenish. Until tomorrow morning.’ The door closed quietly behind him and
Lord Grierson sighed noisily and blew his nose.

‘Are you sure
you can do this, my dear? It’s a hard and unpleasant task for a young girl. I
would not ask Emily to do what you are offering.’

She touched his
arm lightly. ‘I would not have volunteered if I wasn’t capable. When you return
to Frating Hall could you arrange for Jane to organize the packing of the
necessities I shall need for my stay here? Mama will need her belongings packed
as well.’

‘Of course – I
hadn’t thought of that. Promise me you will send word if there’s any change in
his condition?’

‘I will. Perhaps
Edward should go with you now and then he can escort Jane and Mary back. It
could well be dark before they’re ready to return.’

‘You’re a good
girl. It’s a godsend you so fortuitously become part of our family. My Emily is
a dear child but not up to such heavy tasks as this.’

The footman
appeared to escort Lord Grierson to his family leaving her alone to compose
herself before entering the sickroom. The curtains were drawn allowing only a
dim light to intrude into the room. Lady Grierson sat quietly by the still form
in the large mahogany bed. She raised her head and summoned a smile.

‘Have you come
to sit with us?’

‘I have, but may
I suggest you take a short respite from your duties whilst Charles is quiet? I
am accustomed to nursing and can take care of him in your absence.’

‘Thank you,
child. I shan’t be long. And you have Blake on hand if you need anything.’

Marianne nodded
a greeting to the housekeeper sitting unobtrusively by the servants’ exit a
pile of mending beside her. She prepared to settle down beside the bed,
checking first that Charles’s forehead was not fevered and his toes weren’t
turning blue beneath the bandages. Satisfied her patient was comfortable she
sat on the chair still warm from Lady Grierson’s long vigil.

*

The next three
days passed in much the same way. Theo offered what support he could – which
wasn’t much. He was concerned his ward had persuaded Lady Grierson to take the
day shift while she sat up at night. Marianne’s maid shared this watch giving
her mistress a break every few hours. Blake was doing the same for Lady
Grierson.

Marianne was
therefore unavailable most of the time. On Wednesday he decided to stroll in
the rose garden. He found her sleeping on a rustic bench.

He was shocked
by her pallor and the dark circles under her eyes. She was too young to have
such heavy responsibility. What were the Griersons thinking of? Forgetting he
was supposed to be a feckless creature of the
ton
he scooped her up and holding her tenderly strode back into the
house.

Taking the
stairs two at a time he arrived at her bedchamber. He shouldered his way in
having no hands free to use the knob. Jane, dozing in a chair by the window,
jerked awake startled by his sudden entrance.

‘Miss Devenish
is not to sit up with Mr Grierson anymore. In future my man and I will do the
nights.
It’s
better that a male is in attendance.’

‘Yes, sir,’ Jane
stammered.

‘You look as
fatigued as your mistress. It’s time you both took a break from nursing. It
would not do to have further invalids in the house.’

Theo gently
placed his burden on the bed and left Jane to remove her shoes and stockings.
He lingered for a moment, his gaze intent on the sleeping girl then nodded and
left. He met Dr Jones leaving the sickroom.

‘What news? Is
Mr Grierson awake?’

‘The patient is
conscious but has now developed a fever; the next few hours will see a crisis
one way or the other.’

‘He could die?’

‘That is a possibility;
I am afraid that he could. He’s too restless and it’s aggravating his
condition. Unless he can be calmed down I fear he won’t survive the night.’

Theo tapped on
the door and waited until Lady Grierson’s
abigail
appeared to let him in. The room was suffocating, the smell of sickness thick
enough to taste. He strode to the windows and flung them open ignoring the
protest from beside the bed.

‘Charles has a
fever, he needs to be cool. It’s like an oven in here, Lady Grierson. It will
make him worse.’ Cursing under his breath that he had not checked on the
doctor’s efficiency before this he prayed he had not left his intervention too
late.

Lady Grierson
left her post and joined him by the cool air that was flooding in freshening
the fetid atmosphere. ‘Are you certain this will help? Dr Jones thinks we need
to keep poor Charles warm in order to force his fever to break.’

‘The man’s an
idiot!’ He turned to Mary. ‘Fetch my valet, he will know exactly what to do, he
nursed me through something similar a year or so ago.’

Almost too late
he remembered who he was supposed to be. He beamed and nodded. ‘I recall fresh
cold air and cool bed baths did the trick, Lady Grierson, but I have no idea
how to go about administering a bed bath. Fresh air I have managed. Vincent and
I shall take care of Charles. I know little of such matters but my man will
tell me what to do. You ladies need some respite from your duties.’

Lady Grierson
laid a hand on Charles’s brow. ‘I do declare already he seems a little
cooler—the poor boy has been calling for Arabella. He loves her you know, Sir
Theodore. He has done since he was Edward’s age but she’s beyond his touch. I
fear nothing will ever come of it.’

Vincent, his bag
of medicines in his hand, hurried in. He took one look at Charles and nodded.
‘If you will excuse us, Lady Grierson, Sir Theodore and I can take care of
this. I have some special bark which reduces fever when made into a draught.
It’s being prepared in the kitchen at this very minute.’

Theo escorted
Lady Grierson and her maid from the sickroom promising to send a message up
immediately if there was any deterioration in Charles’s condition.

‘Well, sir, I
hope we haven’t been called in too late. Shall I check his leg whilst I’m
bathing him?’

‘Do that,
Vincent. God - I cannot believe I allowed that quack free rein. But he seemed
so confident and he certainly dealt with Lady Arabella competently.’

He stood aside
as his manservant slipped back the heavy comforter and examined the splintered limb.
‘This is excellent, sir. No problems here. The man knows how to set a leg,
that’s for sure.’

‘Thank God for
that! And I suppose treating fever with more heat is an accepted approach,
albeit an old-fashioned one.’

Between them
they sponged Charles from head to toe in tepid water,
then
Vincent administered the medicine that arrived from the kitchen. The fourth
time Charles called out for Arabella, Theo swore.
‘God
dammit!
Why does the wretched chit not come to see Charles? He would be
far less restless if she was here to soothe him.’ He stood thoughtfully for a
moment his eyes half closed, running his fingers absently through his hair.
‘You can manage with Blake for a while, Vincent?’

‘Yes, sir, of
course I can.’

‘Then I shall
drive out to Bromley Hall and fetch Lady Arabella back. Even if I have to
abduct her—she will be here before dark.’