into a curtsy, barely managing to keep from tipping over. “What a pleasure to see you so soon.”
Lady Catherton’s normally porcelain forehead pleated in perplexity. “You’re usually so prompt, Miss McGale. Goodness, you look like you’ve been racing up and down the garden.”
“Because . . .” Jess coughed. “Because I have. I read somewhere that a little physical exertion has been proven to maintain one’s health. Must keep myself in good form to better serve you.” She patted her chest. “There. Healthy as a plowhorse.” She cleared her throat. “This is an unexpected arrival.”
“I sent word two days ago. I wrote I was feeling better and my physician deemed me fit to travel and then depart for the Continent. Didn’t you get my letter?”
Jess’s gaze shot to the side table and the platter atop it. A missive bearing her name, written in Lady Catherton’s hand, rested on the platter. Jess snatched it from the table and crumpled it in her hand, trying to hide the evidence that she hadn’t been home to receive it.
“Oh, yes, the letter! Of course! I meant I didn’t expect you at this hour. You must’ve made good time, with accommodating roads.”
Lady Catherton peered at her. “What are you doing in my clothing?”
“Most of my garments were damaged in transit,” Jess improvised, “so I’d been relying on the same gown for the past fortnight. To make matters worse, your trunks were accidentally put into storage before I could unpack them. Your letter explaining your injury came before I’d fetched the trunks.” She went on, “I’d intended to get the trunks out, but there had been so many matters that required my attention, I hadn’t had the opportunity. It’s been so hectic, you know.”
“If my trunks were in storage, why are you in my dress?”
“I inadvertently packed one of your gowns in with my own clothing, and it was one of the few garments in my bag that wasn’t damaged. So while I have been repairing my own clothing, I’d no choice but to wear your gown. I apologize that it’s a little rumpled, but I’ve been wearing it for several days in a row—with clean linen beneath, of course.”
She didn’t explain that she’d just been in a ducal carriage for several hours, instead gesturing toward the trunk that sat on the foyer floor. “Here’s one of your trunks now, finally retrieved from storage. Have it brought to Lady Catherton’s room,” she said to the waiting footman. “Her maid will air out her garments.”
“Yes, miss.” The servant bowed and carried the trunk upstairs.
Lady Catherton tilted her head. “Things appear to be in chaos, Miss McGale. That is unlike you. Are you all right?”
“Apologies, my lady. Your time here in London will be smooth and without incident.” God, I hope that’s true.
“Where is my correspondence?” Lady Catherton asked.
“I have it collected in your dressing room.”
Her mistress gave a nod. “Do join me in my bedchamber in ten minutes. In the interim, be so kind as to take off my clothing and wear one of your own garments.”
With that, Lady Catherton slowly ascended the stairs with the help of another footman.
Jess waited until her mistress had reached the next story before she turned and raced down the hallway to the servants’ stairs. She took the steps two at a time. The moment she reached her room, she flung her bonnet to the floor and struggled out of her spencer and gown—no easy feat without a maid to assist her. As she dragged on one of her own plain dresses, Noel’s face kept appearing in her mind, his confusion and then pain. Agony threatened to drag her down, but she had no time for it now. There was only survival.
She splashed water on her face and rubbed it nearly raw with a towel. After attempting to smooth her now-disheveled hair into a somewhat demure bun, she glanced at herself in the tiny mirror above her washstand.
A wild-eyed woman stared back at her. One who didn’t know what the next minute would bring.
The little clock on her mantel showed that Jess had but a moment before she was due in Lady Catherton’s room.
Jess bent down and, with a wince, tore the hem of her dress to give credence to her story about her clothing being damaged. She was careful, however, to ensure that the tear could be easily repaired. There wasn’t money to buy anything new, since the extra money Lady Catherton had sent her had gone into paying Nell.