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CHAPTER TWELVE
The following day brought answers to some of the questions that had troubled Maria
She slept late, and upon arising went to see how the Duchess was. Her soft knock was answered at once, and when she entered she saw the patient propped up on lace-trimmed pillows and looking quite herself. She greeted Maria
"My dear girl, what a night you must have had!"
"Nothing compared with yours. I am so glad to see you looking better. But perhaps you should not talk, or have visitors," Maria
"I feel splendid. Horace is an old fussbudget. It is you I am concerned about. I will ask him to have a look at you."
"I assure you, my health has never been better. Is there anything I can do for you? Write letters, or read, perhaps?"
"You are a sweet child," the Duchess replied, with an affectionate smile. "Later, perhaps, if you would care to join me for tea, I might ask you to write a letter or two. Now I want you to get out into the fresh air. I am sure Roger is waiting impatiently to go riding with you."
"I imagine he is still sleeping."
"No, no; he was here only a few minutes ago. Have you had breakfast? You must eat; it is essential to your health."
"You are not to fuss," Maria
She had no particular desire for food, or for Carlton's company, but she sensed that her presence was keeping the Duchess from the rest she needed.
Carlton was in the entrance hall, turning over a heap of papers and letters.
"The post has come," he said, glancing up. "And here is a letter for you."
"For me?"
"Why do you sound surprised? We are not cut off from civilization. This was forwarded from London."
Even before he handed it to her, Maria
Carlton, frowning over a letter he had just opened, did not appear to be paying attention, but when she thrust her mail, unread, into her bag, he inquired, "Don't you want to read it? Pray don't let my presence deter you."
"It can wait," Maria
"The Duchess has ordered me to take you riding," Carlton said, still glancing through his mail.
"You need not consider it an obligation."
"Ah, but I do. Run along and change; that will give me time to finish looking over my correspondence."
Maria
They were, however, even worse than she had expected. Mrs. Shortbody had apparently peppered her old friend with daily bulletins about Maria
"But this," she went on, "is of small consequence compared with the latest news I have from Mrs. Shortbody. She was unaware when Mr. Carlton first called upon her that he was in the employ of the Dowager Duchess of Devenbrook. Had she known, she would not have been a party to co
At this point Maria
Outside the library she stopped and forced herself to wait till her temper had cooled. Not for all the world would she want Carlton to see her in a flaming rage. When her breathing had slowed down she turned the knob, and as she did so a voice boomed out, uttering a phrase that made her stand motionless and listen intently.
"… she will leave that wretched girl every pe
The speaker was Roger Carlton, angry enough to speak more loudly than was his wont. The voice of the doctor replied.
"You don't know that she will do that. Surely you can remind her of her obligations toward the servants and charities she has always supported. In any case, my young friend, your duty is to see that she makes a will; it is not to approve or disapprove her choice of beneficiaries."
"Curse it, Gruffstone, don't remind me of my duty – even if I did the same to you!" Carlton's voice was calmer now. "Are you really sure that – that the situation is serious?"
"Her heart has been deteriorating for years," was the grave reply. "She has made a remarkable recovery from the last attack, but the end may come any day."
Silence ensued. Shocked and distressed at what she had heard, Maria
"I suppose I knew it," Carlton said finally. "Instinct told me – but my feelings denied the truth. Of course you are right, Gruffstone. I have tried before to convince Her Grace to make her will. I will try again, more forcefully."
"But without frightening her," the doctor warned.
"I shall do my best. It won't be easy."
"I know that, my boy."
Maria
Maria
"Ready?" Carlton asked coolly.
"Yes. I hope I have not kept you waiting."