Yorkshire by Lynne Connolly

used to the idea. I grinned at my brother, and he grinned back. The ten years difference in our ages made little difference to our closeness. “At least I’m still Miss Golightly.”
    “I thought you’d be a ladyship,” James said, frowning.
    “No, I’m the sister of an earl. Not the daughter of one. I don’t understand it completely myself, but I daresay someone will explain it to us.”
    “Oh.” James’s brow cleared. He wasn’t the quickest person on the uptake.
    Lizzie shook out her napkin with a snap of well-starched linen. “We can be ladies if we wish. There are plenty of precedents for us to use the title.”
    “Not,” Martha said firmly, “until we are certain. After all, Lady Hareton may still be enceinte.”
    Steven tried to catch my attention. I avoided him, but I knew he wouldn’t give up. I would have to face him sooner or later, but not today. No, not today. I risked glancing across the table to Richard, currently engrossed in conversation with James, and took comfort from his presence, although he didn’t look my way. Perhaps it was just as well, because I knew I would have given myself away if our eyes met. I looked away to see Steven watching me closely. I forced myself to smile at him.
    “I’ve asked the housekeeper to take me round the house after breakfast,” Martha said. “If anyone would care to accompany us, they would be more than welcome.”
    Most of us agreed to go. We were all very curious to see the state of the house, especially in the light of the recent revelations about the ready availability of money. It raised the question of why all this had happened even more starkly than before. I had agreed to help Martha, so I must go. It would give me something to chase out the thoughts rambling in my restless mind.
    To my dismay, Miss Cartwright said, “I’d love to come. I feel so useless. Carier looks after Strang so well there is hardly any need for me to be here.” She turned to her fiancé. “Have you the strength to come with us?”
    “Of course.” He regarded her with a level stare.
    “You know, you must let us know if you feel too weak to continue,” she said solicitously. “I can send for Carier in an instant.” But not help him yourself, I thought, savagely. Whatever his feelings for me, he deserved better than Julia Cartwright.
    Richard docilely agreed to accompany his betrothed. Why should she want him with us? I noticed he was paler than earlier, and after such severe blood loss, he needed to rest. “You lost a great deal of blood.”
    He looked at me, and everything else went away. It could have been the two of us alone in that room. I hated my weakness, marvelling that it should be so, but had enough control left to keep it hidden. I was concerned for him, else I’d have remained silent.
    “My good nurse.” I wouldn’t have thought him capable of such soft tones on Monday. “I promise not to get overtired. I’ve already promised Carier.”
    I smiled, nodding. “You should rest until you’ve recovered your strength, sir.”
    “I know. Carier said that too.”
    “That man has too strong a hold on you,” said Miss Cartwright. “After we’re married, I shall ask you to dismiss him.”
    “I’m afraid you are doomed to disappointment in that respect.” Richard’s voice regained a chill. “No one shaves me as close as he does or has his way with a neckcloth. He has me hog-tied and I can no longer do without him.”
    At least he had looked away from me, but that chill in his voice reminded me that he was formidable, capable of great iciness. He possessed vast experience, much more than I had. I must be wary.
    I pushed back my chair. “I should change.” I could eat nothing more, though I’d had very little.
    “Wear something old,” Martha warned. “Whatever you wear is bound to become soiled. Those rooms haven’t been touched in ten years or more.”
     
    I changed into my drab travelling gown with a heavy heart. I so wanted to show