Vexing the Viscount

“I cared for his lordship, as is my duty as wise woman. Now, I would like to dress so I might get some air.”

The housekeeper nodded sharply. “Very well. I suppose you deserve a little air since you saved his lordship’s life. I shall have something brought up to you immediately, Miss Featherstone.” She turned to leave and then stopped. “He is all right, then?”

“Yes, Mrs. Abbott. Lord Middleton should be fine, but he needs rest right now.”

“Thank you, miss. He is a fine master.”

Tia wondered about that as the housekeeper left the room. The former lordship had been a hard man. She’d only met him a few times and then he’d been curt with her. Perhaps Middleton, even with his rakish demeanor, treated the staff better than the previous viscount. She was glad that the tenants had a more compassionate landholder.

Her only priority was finding Jonathon before it was too late. Every day he was gone increased her concern for his well-being. The things he’d told her frightened and worried her. She needed to get him back under the physician’s care until he had completely recovered from his issue.

Mrs. Abbott entered the room without even a knock and then handed her a dress. “This will have to do. Mr. Nelson informed me that the dressmaker was set to arrive at noon. Make certain you are back to the house before then.”

“I will do just that,” Tia said softly. Unless she found Jonathon.

She dressed quickly and then ate breakfast. She needed to leave the house before Middleton awoke and wondered where she was this morning. Hopefully, the laudanum would make him sleep longer and deeper so she could escape. She pushed away the tray and stood, only to discover yet another issue. While Mrs. Abbott had brought her clothing to wear, Tia’s boots were still at the inn.

“Drat it.” Now she would have to beg for Mrs. Abbott’s help again. She doubted the cantankerous housekeeper would allow her too many favors. She rang the bell and waited fretfully. Footsteps sounded closer to her door. Please let it be Mrs. Abbott and not Middleton.

“Come in,” Tia responded after a light knock. After last night, it was unlikely that Middleton would rap on the door.

“What do you need now?” Mrs. Abbott said as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I have a house to run.”

“I need shoes,” Tia replied, staring at her feet.

“Your boots are in the linen press.”

“They are?” She walked to the linen press and found her short boots on the bottom. “How did they get here?” She hadn’t thought to question how her bag of herbs ended up in Middleton’s room last night.

“A footman returned last night to the inn and gathered the rest of your things.”

Tia frowned. “Then where are the rest of my dresses?” she asked, but knew the answer—burned.

Mrs. Abbott nodded as if she understood what Tia was thinking. “I saw no reason to waste a perfectly acceptable pair of boots. No matter what his lordship said.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Abbott.”

Mrs. Abbott frowned and then nodded sharply. “Is that all?”

“Is his lordship awake yet?”

“No, why?”

“I wished to walk to the park for some air. If the viscount were awake, I would need to check on his condition before I departed. That is all,” Tia said in an innocent tone. The housekeeper didn’t need to know Tia would prefer to check his wound while he slept, so as to avoid another confrontation with him.

“You are free to walk. Do you need a maid with you?”

“I am fine. You need the maids helping you out around the house, not following behind me.”

“You are quite right, miss,” Mrs. Abbott replied.

“Once I check in on him, I am off to Hyde Park then.” Tia found an old bonnet in the linen press and then tied it under her chin.

Tia walked the short distance between the rooms and knocked softly. Hearing no reply, she opened the door and peeked into the room. It appeared he still slept. Quietly, she crept inside toward the bedroom. She peered into the bedroom and smiled as she noticed his eyes were still shut and his breathing even. Not wanting to wake him, she tiptoed to the bed and looked at the bandage. No blood was seeping through and there was no sign of redness around it. He would be fine until she returned.

She left the room and rushed down the stairs, bid Mrs. Abbott a good morning, and walked out of the house determined to find Jonathon at the park. She wandered the streets of Mayfair until the park opened before her. As Tia walked the path toward the Serpentine, the noisy world of London melted away. She strolled by the water and sat down to watch the passersby.

After an hour of watching people and seeing no sign of Jonathon, she decided to walk around the park. That proved even more mundane than gawking at the finely dressed people. While she’d nodded to a few women, not a single one had taken the time to acknowledge her. With a sigh, she sat down on a bench, feeling completely defeated.