The Village Spinster (11 page)

Looking down unobserved, Clarissa realized what a striking figure Alexander Barrington made. He was no more than average height, but there was something so powerful, so commanding about his presence that one would not have passed him even on the streets of London without a second glance. She had thought, at one time, that it was simply his consciousness of his rank.

Now she was not at all sure this was true. Certainly he never forgot that he was an earl, but there was something more. An intensity, a vigorous strength to him that she was unfamiliar with in other men, and which was a little disconcerting. With difficulty had she maintained her poise on the occasions he had seemed intent on having his way. The force of his will was immense, but it was only part of the influence she felt.

Abruptly Clarissa turned away from the window. She had seen the two men enter the house and knew she would be called upon to recite her story to Dr. Lawrence. The dog remained under the bed when she left the room and proceeded down the stairs to the hall where she found Meg taking the two men’s hats and coats. She nodded to Lord Kinsford and smiled at the doctor. “We can talk more easily in the dining parlor,” she suggested, and the two men followed her there.

When Dr. Lawrence had heard of the two episodes with Lady Aria, he looked concerned. “It’s not something to be wished for,” he said. “The disorientation may mean pressure in her head which is affecting her mental processes and could lead to problems. I don’t mean to be an alarmist, however. I’ve seen patients with far greater disorientation settle down to perfect recovery.”

“Is there anything we can do about it?” Lord Kinsford asked.

“Just continue the compresses and the fever medication for the time being. Tomorrow, if she’s had any more disorientation, I’ll bleed her a little. But she’s a healthy young thing and I think we must surely hope for the best. Let me have a look at her now.”

In the sitting room Lady Aria blinked awake at the touch of Dr. Lawrence’s hand on her forehead. She looked momentarily puzzled, then understanding. “I’m a little better today,” she announced rather weakly. “Perhaps not up to the jolting of a carriage ride home, though.”

Dr. Lawrence was looking at the wound on her head and into her eyes. “No,” he agreed, giving the matter some thought, “I think what would be best is if we simply got you out of Miss Driscoll’s sitting room and up to the spare room above. I know you’d like to be in your own bed, my dear, but this is the safer alternative.”

He looked at the earl, who shrugged helplessly. “We’ll do whatever is best for my sister, of course,” Kinsford said. “I do hate to impose on Miss Driscoll for any longer than necessary.”

“I’m delighted to be of assistance,” Clarissa assured him.

“But what of your companion? Won’t Aria be displacing her?”

“Lorelia is not expected back for some time.”

Clarissa said this with laughing eyes, but the earl did not seem to notice. “I’ll have Meg prepare the room."

When suitable arrangements had been made, Kinsford asked his sister, “Shall I carry you upstairs?”

“Oh, no. I can surely walk that distance.” Aria accepted Clarissa’s hand to help her off the sofa. But it was obvious from her tentative footsteps that she was feeling fragile. Kinsford offered his arm in the most gallant way, but at the narrow stairs there was no possibility of their walking side by side. Aria cast her eyes upward with a rather worried look; she hadn’t been much on her feet for several days and the stairs were a little steep. Kinsford offered again to carry her.

“That might be wise,” Clarissa interjected, fearing her guest’s pride might stand in her way. “So long as he doesn’t bang your head against the wall.”

Aria giggled and agreed. Kinsford lifted her with gentle ease. Clarissa led the way, and pushed open the door of a charming room under the eaves. Meg had turned down the bed and put a warming pan in to make it toasty. Kinsford set his sister down and watched as she climbed into the high half-tester bed. There was a colorful coverlet with matching draperies at the windows. A rocking chair sat on a Turkey carpet, with a lamp and a shelf of books to hand. On the dressing table were various items of feminine toilette and a letter. Clarissa flashed Meg, who was removing the warming pan, an appreciative glance.

The earl looked around the small room while trying to appear nonchalant and uninterested. His sister spoke the words that he was obviously thinking.

“So this is Miss Snolgrass’s room,” Aria declared, her eyes wide with curiosity. “How very cozy. I wonder that with such a room she finds it bearable to be away so frequently.”

“I’m so glad you like it. Lorelia would be pleased.” Clarissa plumped up the pillow and added, “You are to make yourself perfectly at home. Use the drawers and the wardrobe, and see if there is any reading matter that appeals to you. I’m sure Max will be happy to keep you company."

At Kinsford’s startled look, Clarissa reminded him, “The dog. Max is currently curled up under my bed, but he’ll be delighted to find an occupant here. He’s a friendly soul.”

“Oh, yes,” Aria agreed. “Would you get him for me, Alexander?”

The earl, who was not in the habit of wandering around people’s homes uninvited, especially not those of young women in the country, protested. Clarissa was in the midst of measuring some of the fever mixture for her patient and she assured Kinsford that it would be perfectly all right for him to step next door and entice Max from his new resting spot.

Before he returned, the dog came charging through the door, emitting piercing yaps of excitement. Dr. Lawrence frowned at the ruckus. “Lady Aria should have complete quiet in which to rest,” he said, regarding the dog doubtfully.

Max bounded onto the bed and thrust his little muzzle under Aria’s hand. She laughed and said, “He’ll be quiet for me, Dr. Lawrence. And if he’s not, I shan’t mind.”

Belatedly Kinsford made an appearance, complaining, “I thought he was going to take a chunk out of my ankle. It’s a good thing I had boots on. Aria, I’m not at all sure he’s a fit companion for a sick girl.”

Aria’s face grew stormy. Clarissa made no attempt to intervene. She was not convinced that she wanted a pet, even for the duration of Aria’s stay. She could abide by Kinsford’s decision on Max, whichever way it went. The brother and sister regarded each other with a heightening tension. It was Dr. Lawrence who spoke first.

“These little dogs are occasionally averse to men. I’ve never known them to bite a woman. But mind you, Lady Aria, if his yapping keeps you awake so you don’t get your proper rest, he shall have to go.” He turned to Lord Kinsford, with a persuasive smile. “Would that be satisfactory, sir? She seems quite taken with the little animal.”

Kinsford hesitated. His gaze momentarily rested on Clarissa, who gave no sign of her opinion one way or the other. Eventually he shrugged. “Very well. He can stay if he behaves himself. And if Miss Driscoll is willing to put up with him.”

“Well, of course she is,” Aria said with exasperation. “Will gave the dog to her.”

“Very thoughtful of him,” Kinsford murmured, as Clarissa remarked rather ambiguously, “Then it’s settled. I think we should leave Lady Aria so she can get some rest.”

As the doctor prepared to leave, Kinsford said, “I should like a word with Miss Driscoll before I go,” and waited while Dr. Lawrence gathered up his hat and gloves from the hall stand.

Clarissa then led him into the sitting room, which had already been tidied by Meg. It was rather a relief to have the room returned to its original purpose. She motioned to a chair as she took her accustomed seat on the sofa. There was a moment of silence as he seemed to organize his thoughts. His hands, strong but still, rested on his thighs.

“Aria seems to be feeling all right at the moment, but she could easily become confused again,” he said. “I would offer, and am offering, to send someone from the Hall to keep watch over her at night, if you think that would be wise. Or if you could tolerate another person in your house.”

“I’m a light sleeper, Lord Kinsford. I think if she woke at night and moved about I would hear her.” Clarissa frowned. “But I might not, and I would hate for her to come to any harm.”

Kinsford said ruefully, “I dare say the dog would cause a commotion if Aria got up at night. That should be alarm enough.”

“Yes. But if you would feel more comfortable having someone from the Hall sit with her..."

He seemed to consider the matter, his brows lowering over his astute blue eyes. Eventually he said, “Let’s leave things as they are for the moment. If she should seem more disoriented, we might want to have someone with her. But for now ...“ He shrugged. “She’s likely to sleep through the night with no problems.”

There was a knock at the door. Clarissa assumed it would be William, coming to check on his sister again. But she heard Steven Traling‘s voice from the hallway and saw Lord Kinsford’s face tighten. He rose instantly to take his leave, and his voice, which had been thoughtful and kind, now had a slight edge.

“If this all becomes too much for you to handle, Miss Driscoll, we will certainly manage to move my sister to the Hall without any damage. Good day."

As he received his hat from Meg, Clarissa saw him nod minimally to Steven. Steven, never one to notice a slight, bowed to the earl, and said cheerfully, “How’s our patient today?” It would have been difficult to know precisely what Kinsford said in reply, since he closed the door behind himself as he spoke.

Chapter Ten

Clarissa felt annoyed with Steven for showing up just then. This was an irrational annoyance and she refused to think about it. Instead she welcomed him into the sitting room as cordially as she was able and seated herself once more on the sofa.

“So, your patient has left at last,” he remarked, making himself comfortable.

“No, Lady Aria is still here.”

“She is?” He sounded disappointed. “Where?”

“She’s just upstairs in the spare room. There’s some concern that the blow to her head may have done more significant damage than appeared at first. Dr. Lawrence doesn’t want her bounced around, so he’d like her to stay here for a while.”

Steven winced. “You mean she may be sort of odd in the head from now on?”

“Probably she’ll heal perfectly, but she’s had a few periods of disorientation that worry the doctor. That worry all of us.”

“Wouldn’t she be better off at the Hall? There are so many more people there to take care of her.”

“I dare say she would be. It’s just difficult to get her there without some danger of exacerbating her condition.”

Steven frowned. “This has become quite a burden to you, Clarissa. I think the earl could handle it better.”

Now Clarissa felt truly impatient with him. “It’s not particularly a problem for me, and how do you propose Lord Kinsford is to change the situation?”

“Well, he could move her to Mrs. Luden’s house, for one thing. Someone could carry her
that
far.”

“But I’m her teacher... and her friend, actually. If she’s going to be in the village at all, she should be here.”

“I don’t see that.”

“The only reason you don’t see it is because it’s disrupting your visits,” she accused.

He was immediately contrite. “I suppose you’re right,” he agreed with a slow, rueful smile. “I wanted your full attention. Jane’s parents are driving me crazy. I can’t say anything, or go anywhere, without their making some comment on it. And Jane is so close to her lying-in that she doesn’t seem concerned with much else. I hate living in the same house with her parents! They just ruin everything.”

“You sound like a spoiled child,” Clarissa told him, but softened. “I know it’s hard for you, Steven, especially now. But you’re going to have to find a solution for yourself, and not just run to me with tales of their infamy.”

He sighed and cocked his head at her. “You didn’t used to mind.”

“How do you know that?” she asked, teasing. “True, I have felt sorry for you. And I still do, Steven. But I have someone else at the moment who has an even stronger claim on my attention. Your concerns will have to take second place for a while.” She waved aside his protests. “Yes, I know, it’s a very trying time for you. It is a frightening time for Lady Aria.”

“Does she think there’s something wrong?”

“She knows things aren’t quite right. I really should go up and see if she needs anything.”

“Of course.” He was instantly on his feet. “But if she’s asleep, Clarissa, would you take a short walk with me? Please?”

His eyes, pleading as a puppy, reminded her of Max. “I suppose we could walk the dog.”

“What dog? Since when have you a dog?”

“William brought him this morning.” Clarissa brushed back a wisp of hair. She was not in the mood to explain to Steven. "Don't ask. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Upstairs she found Aria sound asleep. Meg had placed a bell on the bedside table, ready for their patient to summon them if necessary. What a treasure Meg was! Clarissa would need to reward her for all the extra effort she was sustaining during this period, though how she was to manage this at the moment she could not quite imagine. Max lay curled against the girl but he jumped down at Clarissa’s quiet summons and padded down the stairs after her.

Clarissa explained to Meg where she was going, and led her small party out of the cottage and down the lane which led to the fields beyond. Max barked excitedly, causing Steven to grimace at Clarissa. “Does he do that all the time?” he asked. “It would get on my nerves.”

“I’ve only had him for a few hours,” Clarissa protested. “I haven’t the slightest idea how much he barks. But you may be sure William can have him back if he’s going to be a nuisance to me and the neighbors.”

The little dog was yapping excitedly as he scurried along the lane, sniffing at everything that came in his path. He would get ahead of them, only to circle back, enthusiastically barking as he faced them once more. Clarissa clapped her hands. “Enough, Max.” He responded, to some degree, by hushing for a moment, only to yap again as he charged off.