She washed and dressed her hair, and with her clothing covering her bruises, she looked almost normal. Persephone had been content to just lie around since the accident, keeping her mistress company while stuck indoors.
“Persephone. It’s time for some fresh air.” The dog looked up from where she was enjoying her nap by the fireplace in Amy’s room. Lazily, she climbed to her feet and stretched.
Instead of awaiting Lacey’s summons, Amy made her way downstairs and settled into a comfortable chair in the drawing room. Persephone jumped up onto the chair and collapsed onto Amy’s lap. “You’re getting very lazy.” She glanced out the window, again grateful for the lovely, sunny weather.
The sound of carriage wheels caught her attention. She pushed the window curtain aside for a clearer view and watched as a brand-new carriage with the Wethington crest on the door rolled to a stop in front of the house.
In less than a minute, the door knocker sounded, and Lacey opened the door to William. He was no longer using his cane but did walk slowly into the room.
“Well, it appears we are looking at least good enough to face the world.” William grinned as he walked forward and took Amy’s extended hand. “It is a pleasure, as always, to see you, Lady Amy.”
She gave him a dip and returned his smile. “And you as well, my lord.”
Since they’d both missed the book club meeting the night before, they hadn’t spoken since William’s previous visit, when the detectives had been questioning her.
Amy retrieved Persephone’s leash from Lacey, who stood at the door. William helped her down the stairs and into the carriage with all the finesse of a gentleman caller.
He cringed as Persephone jumped onto the deep-green velvet seat covering, walked in a small circle, and then plopped down, her head resting on her front paws.
“Don’t be concerned. She just had a bath.” Amy smoothed her hand over the fabric. “This is lovely. I can’t believe you were able to secure a new carriage so quickly.”
“It helps to be prompt to pay your bills. Mr. Granger, who makes such excellent coaches, had one in the making that was being held up for payment. I waved the correct amount of blunt in his face, and he quickly substituted the crest he’d already painted with mine.”
Amy smoothed her skirt and looked around the carriage. “I know the upper crust are notorious for not paying invoices or paying them late. I always try to take care of my bills promptly as well. The people who do the work have families to feed. It is quite unfair to expect them to wait for their money.”
William dipped his head. “Very noble of you, Lady Amy. I wish more of our ilk felt the same way.” It had taken a few minutes to get them settled, and then William tapped on the ceiling and the coach was off.
“I didn’t realize your carriage had been completely destroyed.”
“It hadn’t, but when we discussed the repairs necessary, and I took into account that it was already twelve years old, I decided to go for a new one.”
“Would you think me a silly goose if I told you my heart is hammering in my chest at being in a carriage once again?” Amy attempted a smile but didn’t think she’d quite made it.
William reached across the space separating them and took her hand. “Not at all. Truth be known, I am a bit uneasy myself. But for our peace of mind, I had my driver check everything about the carriage before we left.
“He was extremely upset that he did not notice the wheel had been ruined the night of the accident. I attempted to convince him ’twas not his fault, but the man still feels guilty. Especially, he said, because ‘that lovely young lady’ was in the carriage.”
Amy grinned. “How nice of him to say that. And I agree; unless he was in the habit of always checking the wheels before taking off, there is no reason to feel guilty about not checking it that evening.”
“Not at all. He’d done nothing different. After dropping off their passengers, the drivers steer the carriages over into the empty lot next to the Assembly Rooms, where they gather and have a bit of conversation and a spot or two of drink. Apparently, someone waited until all the drivers were busy before they did the damage.”
William was such a nice man to not fault his driver for the mishap. So many men would have given the driver a tongue-lashing, or even sacked him. Another reason she felt William was truly an upstanding man.
It unsettled her a bit that the list of his good points was growing. And the fact that she was unsettled merely unsettled her more.
Once the carriage came to a stop at the entrance to the park, the driver quickly jumped from his perch and opened the door. He helped William down, by which his lordship seemed a bit taken aback, and then assisted Amy out of the vehicle.
“I could certainly have helped her ladyship out of the carriage,” William groused at the man.
The driver merely gave William a sharp salute. “I will be waiting right here for you when you are finished with your walk, milord.”
“Thank you.” William took Amy’s arm and moved her onto the footpath. “I hope John gets over his guilt soon. I am beginning to feel like he is my mother.”
Amy laughed and looked over her shoulder at the huge man with the full mustache and beard. “He doesn’t look like anyone’s mother.”
“Ah, but you have not met mine.” His crooked smile left her wondering if he was serious or joking.
Every year Amy thought autumn was her favorite season until the following spring arrived and she changed her mind. The new light-green leaves on the trees, the sweet-scented grass, and the carefully planted and pruned flowers all raised her spirits after a long, dreary winter. She and William strolled along, not speaking of anything in particular, almost as if by mutual agreement leaving the subject of murder, killers, and annoying detectives behind for the afternoon.