“Tilda.” Alexandra interrupted fromthe couch. “My maid.” Alexandra put her hand to her mouth to stiflea giggle as if she knew how ludicrous it was that Tilda was a maid. “My uncleis a bit short staffed it seems, and Tilda must do double duty.”
Donata regarded Tilda with a look akin tohorror. “That woman is not a ladies maid.” The Dowagerintoned. “Tilda is bringing in tea, Harry. Once she does, you are tostand by the parlor door in case I need you. We shan’t like to bedisturbed.”
Tilda bit her lip.
“Well?” Donata pointed at Tildawith her cane. I am the Dowager Marchioness of Cambourne and I do notlike to be kept waiting!” Tilda dropped an awkward curtsy and scurried out ofthe parlor.
“I fear you have frightened Tilda.No easy task is that.” Alexandra brushed a curl off her head. “Herbark is much worse than her bite. I’m not sure where my uncle found her.”
“Hurrumph”. The Dowager snorted indisapproval.
Miranda flitted around the room like ahummingbird. Every so often, her eyes met Donata’s over Alexandra’s head.She regaled Alexandra with the latest brace of suitors to cross the steps ofCambourne House making Alexandra laugh softly.
Tilda reappeared, her bullish lookingface red and determined. Two teapots sat on a tray along with an oddassortment of tiny cakes and some bruised fruit.
“Interesting,” Donata wondered at the twoteapots. “Is there a reason there aretwopots of tea?”
“Well, Miss Dunforth likes a special kindof tea. I make it just for her. The doctor says it helps with herheadaches. You and Lady Reynolds would not enjoy it so much.” Thebeady gaze shifted to the right, away from Donata.
“Thank you.” Donata waved at the maid,dismissing her. “Youmay go.”
The woman remained rooted to the spot,unwilling to leave the tea. A nervous tic appeared in her cheek.
“Well? You may go. I shallpour.” Donata commanded.
Harry’s dark head appeared around thedoorway. “My lady, is all well?”
Nervously, Tilda looked at Harry, thenback to Donata. She bobbed once and left the room, sparing a glanceat the tea as she exited.
“Yes, Harry. Pray do shut thedoor.”
Donata waited until the door shut,relieved Harry stood guard. They would not be disturbed again. Noteven by Lord Burke. Donata poured three steaming cups of tea from thesecond pot, ignoring Alexandra’s “special” tea. She handed a plain cup oftea to Alexandra.
“Lady Reynolds, I should drink mytea.” Alexandra pointed to the first pot. ” The doctor prescribed it formy headaches.”
Donata pretended deafness. She pushedaside the first pot.
While Miranda chattered lightly toAlexandra, distracting her, Donata lifted the first teapot’s lid. Shesniffed. A sickly sweet smell wafted up into her nostrils. She knewthat smell. Memories of her husband, the elder Marquess, floodedthrough her at the smell. Her husband reeked of that particular odor theentire last year of his life. Her husband died slowly and painfully, butthe laudanum helped to ease his passage into the next world. Many doctorsfavored prescribing laudanum for headaches. Particularly for wives whoperhaps were considered unruly, opinionated, or full of female complaints. Hergaze flew to Alexandra. The girl left early during her first visit toCambourne House due to headache. Donata assumed that headache to actuallybe her grandson. The spark between the two was so bright one would be blind notto see it. But perhaps she was incorrect? Donata cocked her head,taking stock of Miss Dunforth. Alexandra wasn’t ill, exactly, but she didnot sparkle quite as brightly. Donata was sure the diagnosis ofAlexandra’s headaches was false.
The Dowager’s mind raced. She hadplans for Miss Dunforth. Plans, which did not involve headaches orspecial tea, but which did involve her grandson, Sutton. Lord Burke wasno match for Donata Reynolds. Nor, Archie Runyon. Miranda, herchattering, but highly intelligent granddaughter, would no doubt be delightedto help.
Donata pasted a smile on her face. “MissDunforth? How would you like to go to the Royal Exhibition today? Anouting is just the thing to clear the cobwebs out of one’s head! I’m toldLord Bishop is lecturing on his travels to the Far East.”
Miranda clasped her hands. “Yes!You must come!.”
Alexandra’s face lit up. “Oh, thatwould be lovely. But I’m not sure my uncle -”
“Oh posh! Lord Burke is likely athis club and will never know you’ve gone, my dear. I would so hate foryou to miss a lecture by Lord Bishop. He’s famous you know!” Donatadetested dry, dull lectures. But she was correct in assuming thatAlexandra did not. Nor did her grandson. He adored them.
TWELVE
“Alexandra?” Miranda soundedas if she were speaking from far away.
Alexandra dozed. She snuggleddeeper into the leather squabs. The green hills of Helmsby Abbey,dotted with bluebells, lay before her. She walked through the rollinggreen grass. Birds sang and swooped overhead. She twirled and spunamongst the grass until she fell to the ground. The sweetness of themeadow filled her nostrils. She rolled over and Lord Reynolds, hisglorious green eyes watching her with warmth, lay next to her. Bluebellscaught in his dark hair and fell down his chest. He rolled on top of her,smothering her with kisses, pressing against her. Then he sat back,slowly unbuttoning his shirt and pushed the fine lawn off his shoulders.The dragon’s tail was as green as his eyes and the meadow that surroundedthem. Her fingertips touched the tattoo and the tail wound its way aroundher fingers, pulling her closer to Lord Reynolds.
“Alexandra?” Fingers bit into herknee as Miranda shook her. “You must wake up. We are nearly at theRoyal Exhibition. I let you doze off.” Her brow wrinkled inconcern. “You seemed tired earlier.”
The dream faded. She wanted to cry out asthe dragon’s tail slipped from her fingers and floated back to LordReynolds.
