Page 93 of The Gentlewoman Companion

Chapter Twenty-Two

James paced the parlor all morning, waiting for Louisa to appear. His mother entered, earlier than usual.

“I am off to meet with the Havenwood sisters. We must discuss the events of last night’s salon.”

“Without Louisa?” he asked.

“She is exhausted, poor dear. Let her be, James. By the by, would you like to tell me what is happening between the two of you?”

He sighed. His mother was very perceptive. “I know something is bothering her, and I long to help her, but she will not confide in me.” He continued to pace.

“And you cannot give her your whole heart until she trusts you with all her troubles. Well, you may not wish to know them.”

He turned to face her. “Did she tell you?” The thought both encouraged him and left him feeling betrayed.

“No. But I have no doubt she will explain herself eventually if it is something you need to know.”

“But you agree that something is amiss?”

“I cannot say. She’s had her share of difficulties. Trials take time to overcome, and everyone deals with hardships differently.”

She was speaking of him as well. He was still trying to manage his feelings for his father.

She kissed him goodbye and left him alone.

James responded to letters, visited the nursery, spoke briefly with Meg, and returned to his study. By noon, Louisa had still not descended the stairs.

A knock sounded at the front door. The butler appeared with Mr. Fielding and a scruffy, blond boy.

“Tom!” James went to him and crouched down to the boy’s level. “I am glad you’ve come. Please, sit down.”

“I’ll no’ soil your furni’ure an’ be commi’ed for i’.”

“I am not concerned for my sofa. Please, sit.”

Tom obeyed, resting as little of his body as possible on the edge of the cushion. He rubbed his dirty nose. “The gen’leman says Susan is no’ well.”

“I’ll take you to her as soon as I speak with Mr. Fielding.” James rang for refreshments.

“Not for me, my lord,” Mr. Fielding said. “I must be on my way.”

“Do you have a report on the other cases I paid for?”

“I will send news directly once they are complete.”

The two men bid farewell.

Mrs. Corfield entered and arranged tea and biscuits on the desk. She poured for Tom. “Sugar or milk?”

“Sugar? Yes.” Tom took his cup and sniffed it. “Wha’s this?”

Mrs. Corfield raised a brow with a little more distrust than humor, nodded to James, and left.

“It’s tea and will fortify you,” James said.

“’ow’s Susan?”

“She is well. Let’s go to her now. Here, I’ll carry your teacup.”