She looked much herself. Other than the bruise surrounding the poultice high on her forehead, nothing appeared amiss. Her whole manner spoke of her irritation at her confinement. At most they could hold her here one more day. After that, she might well tie the sheets together to make her escape out the window.
“You agreed that after three days if I felt recovered I could stop being an invalid,” she said.
“I lied, to ensure you rested at least three days. However, if you promise to do it my way, perhaps you can leave this chamber for a short while.”
Beth opened her mouth to object, but shut it just as quickly. Minerva eyed him as if to see if he was trying to trick her.
“What is your way?”
“You will only go down the stairs with me. You can take some air in the garden if you dress warmly. And you can go for a carriage ride with me this afternoon, and a short walk, if you swear you will admit when you get tired or if at any time you are in distress of the slightest amount.”
“Your way doesn’t sound like much fun.”
“The alternative is we lock you in.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
He said nothing to that. She assessed his mood with a long look. “Fine, but it is very unfair. You are allowed to get hit on the head and still go about your business, but if I get hit on the head I become an invalid. Beth, help me to dress. I intend to eat breakfast down below.”
He stepped out while they took care of that, then escorted Minerva down the stairs, watching for any indications that her balance did not hold. In the little morning room, food awaited. She helped herself to a full plate, then sat to enjoy her freedom.
He joined her. As soon as he sat, Brigsby arrived and set down a high stack of mail and paper. Chase had already checked two letters when he realized what had just occurred. “How did you get these?”
“I sent the young man for them.”
“Jeremy is not your lackey, Brigsby.”
“He didn’t mind going. I said he could take your carriage and gave him permission to allow the young lady to ride in it too.”
“You gave your permission?”
“You were otherwise occupied, sir. I thought it unwise to disturb you.” A little cough punctuated his pride in his discretion.
“Young lady?” Minerva asked.
“Miss Turner. She visits on occasion. I saw them chatting in the garden yesterday. I thought she would like a ride in the carriage.” He went to get the coffee and poured into both of their cups. “You needed a new frockcoat, after the disaster you made of the one we had here. I asked the young man to fetch your blue one, and to see about the mail while he was there. The newspaper I went out and procured on my own.”
Pleased that his morning duties had been completed to his own satisfaction, Brigsby left the chamber.
“Jeremy and Elise?” Minerva said.
“They live near each other, and worked at Whiteford House together and also now for you. It is not surprising that they have formed a friendship. Surely you do not disapprove.”
“If there is something more there, it could complicate my inquiries.”
“How so?”
“Jeremy might become protective and worry about her. He might interfere with assignments I have for her if he thinks she will be in even the slightest danger.”
He flipped through more mail, making his stacks. He saw one from Peel. Damnation. “I’m sure that won’t happen. He is reasonable enough and you would never endanger her anyway.”
He had almost finished with the mail when he noticed the silence coming across the table. He looked over to find Minerva regarding him with high skepticism. He quickly reviewed their brief conversation for whatever he had said to provoke that expression.
“I am happy that you are sure Jeremy will not become too protective. If you think that is the response of a reasonable man, I am reassured you will not now become too protective about me.”
That is different. It really wasn’t but, then again, it was. He had no intention of being careless regarding her safety, and fully planned to ensure she was not either. This, however, was not the best time to broach that topic, or the little list of changes in her habits regarding inquiries that would ensure she never was hurt again.
When he failed to react in any way other than to smile, Minerva raised the subject