A Lady for Lord Randall (Brides of Waterloo)

‘I have come from Lord Randall’s lodgings. Major Flint left this when he called there.’

‘Thank you.’ The woman put out her hand. ‘He told me that Lord Randall was injured in the battle. How is he now?’

There was genuine concern in the woman’s eyes and the kindness in her voice almost overset Mary. She struggled for words.

‘I, that is, he...’ It was too much. She dare not express her fears. ‘We are hoping, praying—excuse me!’

She hurried away, dashing a hand across her cheeks. She would not cry. It was a sign of weakness and she despised such emotions. Besides, it would do no good. She must think of the future.

* * *

Bertrand had gone by the time she returned to the Rue Ducale and Robbins was pottering around Randall’s room. When he heard her in the sitting room he came out to join her.

‘How is his lordship?’

‘The sawbones says he is going on well, miss.’ The manservant’s cheerful smile was heartening. ‘He woke up while the doctor was here and he was perfectly lucid. Cursed me roundly, he did, just like his old self.’

‘Oh.’ Mary removed her bonnet and set it carefully on the table. She said casually, ‘And did he ask for me?’

‘No, miss, but he was only awake for a little while and Dr Lebbeke’s examination seemed to tire him. But his heart is beating strongly now and the doctor sees no reason why he shouldn’t make a good recovery.’

‘I hope so, Robbins.’

‘I’m going to prepare a little broth for when he wakes up again. He’ll be very pleased to see you here, miss, if you don’t mind my saying so. You’ve been like a tonic to him and that’s a fact.’

‘I have?’ She managed a smile. ‘Well that is good. But I have always said I should leave as soon as we were sure he was out of danger.’

The manservant shook his head, saying confidently, ‘He’ll be needin’ you for months yet, miss.’

‘It is kind of you to say so, but we both know that isn’t true. Lord Randall will recover perfectly well without me.’

Robbins looked troubled and Mary guessed his thoughts. They had worked closely together over the past few days and had come to respect each other, too much for the manservant now to lie to her. Instead he said diffidently,

‘Very stiff-rumped, his lordship...’

‘And so am I stiff...er...rumped!’ Mary stumbled a little but was determined not to be mealy-mouthed about it. ‘I was wrong to think we could ever be anything to one another. I do not agree with the earl’s principles or his station. I would be going against everything my parents taught me if I were to remain. As I shall tell him in my note. I will write it now and then I can be gone.’

‘No!’ The manservant looked startled. ‘You can’t leave us just like that.’

‘I can and I think I should.’

‘No, miss, not tonight. At least say you will stay until the morning. His lordship has only come round the once. The sawbones might not have got it right. He might have another turn and then where should I be if you was gone?’

Mary bit her lip. Robbins would manage, he had been with his master too long not to be able to cope with any situation, but his concern was touching and the temptation to stay near Randall was too great.

‘Very well, I will remain a little longer, just to make sure he is doing as well as you say, but you must tend him. If he does wake again I do not want to see him.’

That was a lie, of course. She wanted to see him more than anything in the world.

‘Very well, miss, if he asks for you I’ll tell him you are sleeping.’

Mary sat down at the little desk to write her letter to Randall. She could hear Robbins moving around in the bedchamber. Her pen spluttered when she heard the low murmur of voices. Randall was awake. Robbins came hurrying out and went downstairs, returning a few minutes later carrying a tray containing broth and a glass of wine. He went back into the room, closing the door carefully behind him.

Mary waited, the ink drying on her pen. Would he ask for her? Would he demand tha

t she come and see him? Robbins could hardly refuse a direct order. She strained her ears, but the muffled sounds from the next room could not be distinguished. Her last hope died when Robbins came out of the room again with the empty dishes and carefully closed the door behind him. He grinned at her.

‘Took the lot he did, miss, even the wine, and looks the better for it. The effort tired him, though. I think he’ll sleep like a log now.’