Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn Page A

do feel I must check on him.”
    â€œHow was it your fault?” Iris asked.
    Honoria nearly bit her lip. She’d forgotten that that was one of the missing elements of her tale. “It was nothing, really,” she improvised. “I tripped over a tree root and he stepped forward to steady me. He must have stepped in a mole hole.”
    â€œOh, I hate moles,” Iris said.
    â€œI find them rather sweet,” Cecily put in.
    â€œI must find your mother,” Honoria said. “I need to arrange for a carriage. Or I suppose I could ride over. It’s not raining any longer.”
    â€œYou should eat breakfast first,” Sarah said.
    â€œShe’ll never let you go alone,” Cecily replied. “Fensmore is a bachelor household.”
    â€œHe’s hardly by himself,” Iris said. “He must have loads of servants.”
    â€œAt least a hundred, I should think,” Cecily said. “Have you seen the house? It’s enormous. But that doesn’t signify.” She turned back to Honoria. “He still lives alone. There is no one to act as a proper chaperone.”
    â€œI’ll take someone with me,” Honoria said impatiently. “I really don’t care. I just want to get going.”
    â€œTake someone with you where?” Mrs. Royle asked, entering the breakfast room.
    Honoria repeated her request to Mrs. Royle, who immediately agreed. “Absolutely, we must see to the earl’s welfare. It would be positively unchristian of us if we did not.”
    Honoria blinked. She had not expected this to be so easy.
    â€œI will go with you,” Mrs. Royle said.
    A teacup slammed down against its saucer. When Honoria looked over at the table, Cecily wore a tight smile, but her fingers were practically biting through her teacup.
    â€œMother,” Cecily said, “if you go, then I should, too.”
    Mrs. Royle paused to consider this, but before she could reply, Sarah said, “If Cecily goes, I should go, too.”
    â€œWhy?” Cecily asked.
    â€œI am fairly certain,” Iris said dryly, “that under no circumstances should I go.”
    â€œI really don’t care who accompanies me,” Honoria said, trying not to sound as snappish as she felt. “I would just like to depart as soon as possible.”
    â€œCecily will go with you,” Mrs. Royle announced. “I will stay here with Iris and Sarah.”
    Sarah was visibly put out at this turn of events, but she did not argue. Cecily, on the other hand, jumped to her feet with a wide smile on her face.
    â€œCecily, do go upstairs and have Peggy redress your hair,” Mrs. Royle said. “We can’t have—”
    â€œPlease,” Honoria interrupted. “I would really rather leave immediately.”
    Mrs. Royle looked conflicted, but even she could not bring herself to argue that her daughter’s coiffure was more important than the welfare of the Earl of Chatteris. “Very well,” she said briskly. “Off with the two of you, then. But I want to be clear. If he is terribly ill, you must insist upon moving him here to recuperate.”
    Honoria was quite sure that was not going to happen, but she didn’t say anything as she strode toward the front door, Cecily and Mrs. Royle right at her heels.
    â€œAnd make sure he knows that we do not plan to return to Cambridge for several weeks,” Mrs. Royle continued.
    â€œWe don’t?” Cecily asked.
    â€œNo, and as you are completely free of obligations, you may go over each day to oversee his care.” Mrs. Royle paused. “Er, if that is what Lord Chatteris wishes.”
    â€œOf course, Mother,” Cecily said, but she looked embarrassed.
    â€œAnd do give him my regards,” Mrs. Royle continued.
    Honoria hurried down the steps to wait for the carriage to be brought around.
    â€œAnd tell him that Mr. Royle and I pray for his speedy recovery.”
    â€œHe might not