“Oh, Grandson, there you are. Come sit with me,” Hestersaid.
The Duchess was seated at a card table by a large window overlooking the lake of Linfield Park, playing solitaire. She was a large woman who favored loose clothing with lots of lace, believing it hid her unwelcome size. She was considerably advanced in age but her plump face showed few wrinkles, lending her the air of a sybariticcherub.
“I do like to amuse myself at cards just before my luncheon. I believe it soothes and aids in one’sdigestion.”
Mark sat opposite her at thetable.
“I have recently come from Father’s bedside,” Mark said pointing to a card that could beplayed.
“And how is my poor son doingtoday?”
“About the same, but neverwell.”
Hester sighed. “I should be the first to die, but I am far too stubborn. And now he is wasting away with whatever that nasty business he has consuminghim.”
“Doctor Benson is doing all he can. He bled him again earlier thismorning.”
“Humph,” Hester muttered, shifting her weight in her chair and pulling at her clothing to free it up. “And then there is that snarly uncle of yours—fit as a fig. I am sorry he became a part of thisfamily.
“Grandmother, he is my mother’s brother. We can hardly exclude him, now canwe?”
“Well, I certainly have no say about such things, doI?”
Mark played another card that Hester was ignoring. “Uncle Silas thinks very highly of you and treats you with the utmostrespect.”
“He is so obviously trying to get into my good graces. I do not trust him as far as I can throw apony.”
“Grandmother, have some charity, please. Uncle Silas and I are actively engaged in many worthwhile projects together. Why we have been working to stage one of Handel’s great choral works at Chelmsford Cathedral at Christmas. It will be quite splendid, and I know you will want toattend.”
“Handel, eh? That might just bepassable.”
Just then Wesley, the long-serving, and ancient, household butler, knocked and entered pushing a trolley with Hester’slunch.
“Your Grace, would you like your luncheon served at the card table or in yourstudy?”
“This will be fine,” she said clearing away thecards.
Wesley served as Markstood.
“My purpose in coming to see you was to get your opinion on the Cape Colony trade situation. You are aware of the troubles, are younot?”
Hester waved her hand, dismissing his concern. “It is nothing to bother about. The natives are often restless, but they will calm down when the rainscome.”
Mark was unimpressed with her answer. “I believe it is more complicated thanthat.”
Shaking her head, Hester turned to her fillet of sole and took a dainty bite. “Come back in a week if the trouble persists, but I do not believe itwill.”
Mark could see she was not about to discuss the situation with him seriously. “Very well, I shall take care of the matter myself. Enjoy your meal,” he said and was about to leave when he added. “And you will still be attending the concert with us tomorrowevening?”
“Yes, however, I shall be going down to the house before the two of you. I have some shopping I need to attend to before you arrive. Baggs will be going with me in my carriage. And are we to dinetogether?”
“After the concert as it startsearly.”
“Then we shall meet at the house for teabefore?”
“That sounds convenient,” Mark said, and thenleft.
* * *
