bed.
Charlotte reached out to help me adjust the pillows. “Just as far as Auntie’s estate outside of Glasgow.” Her gaze shifted to meet mine meaningfully. “Rye is accompanying us.”
“Then . . . ?”
She nodded, a private smile curling her lips. “I’m going to marry him.”
I was pleased to hear the determination ringing in her voice.
“I’m so glad.”
She pinkened at my approval, and beyond her shoulder I could see Lady Bearsden watching us with fondness.
Charlotte continued to fuss with my pillows. “Nothing too elaborate. Something small and private, like your and Gage’s nuptials.”
“In Edinburgh?”
“Maybe.” She nibbled one corner of her lip. “Rye mentioned us possibly being wed from his great-uncle’s estate. I gathered it might be important to him.”
I would not have guessed such a thing would matter a great deal to my cousin. “Maybe he’s thinking of his children,” I suggested, realizing how much of an adjustment it would be for them. “They are familiar with Barbreck Manor.” Rye’s father, my uncle Dunstan, was the nephew and heir of the bachelor Marquess of Barbreck, so the family spent a great deal of time at his properties. “And the isles are lovely in the summer. Have you visited?”
Her gaze jerked back to mine from where it had trailed away in thought. “No, but he suggested doing so. Maybe we’ll travel on to there from Glasgow.”
“Then I suggest waiting until you’ve seen it before you decide.”
The pleats in her brow smoothed away. “I will. But wherever it is, will you do me the honor of standing up with me?”
I was so touched that she should ask, that it took me a moment to find my words. “Of course. I-I would be happy to.”
She beamed, grabbing for my hand where it lay braced on the little shelf created by my ever-growing abdomen.
Bree slipped through the door at that moment carrying a tray. “I beg yer pardon,” she said, dipping into a brief curtsy. “But ’tis time for her ladyship’s medicine.”
“Then I shall go.” Charlotte squeezed my fingers before leaping to her feet. “I’ll write you when we arrive safely.”
“Yes, please.”
She turned toward her great-aunt, who remained in her chair with no sign she intended to move anytime soon. “I’ll join you shortly, my dear,” she told her niece.
Charlotte nodded uncertainly, but then shrugged and swept from the room with a last goodbye.
Lady Bearsden waited silently as Bree set the tea tray on the table beside the bed and helped me recline in a more upright position. She arched her eyebrows in gentle chastisement at the sight of my discarded sling, before helping me to loop it around my neck and slide my arm into it. Then she removed the bottle of laudanum from her pocket and gave me a small dose of the sickly sweet syrup before passing me a glass of water. She poured me a cup of tea, prepared with sugar and cream as I liked it, and handed it to me in its saucer to balance on my stomach.
“Shall I bring another cup for yer ladyship?” she turned her head to ask my guest.
Lady Bearsden shook her head. “I never drink before carriage trips.”
I thanked Bree and then dismissed her, eager to hear what Lady Bearsden had to say. After all, I had been making my way to speak with her and the Dowager Duchess of Bowmont the evening before when my accident occurred.
Lady Bearsden, however, appeared to have other matters on her mind first. She watched Bree, waiting until the door had closed firmly behind her before she spoke. “That’s your maid.” Her voice was rife with speculation. “Well, then, that makes sense.”
“What makes sense?” I asked in confusion.
“Oh, I heard about the altercation between her and your husband’s manservant.” Her eyes twinkled with incorrigible delight. “My maid said it was quite the row.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
It was?” I felt rather stupid sitting there blinking at her like a bird-witted fool, but while I’d gathered there had been some sort of disagreement between Bree and Anderley, I had not anticipated it being such public knowledge.
She nodded sagely. “Apparently, the valet took exception to your maid dancing with a certain member of the duke’s staff, and when he warned the fellow away, she took exception to his interference.”
I frowned down at my tea, for neither display seemed to be in character, especially not in such a public manner. “But why did you say it all made sense after seeing my maid?”
“Why, because she’s rather a fetching young thing.”
I supposed that was true.