“He likes you—”
“Mirabel, no more of that.” Thea walked off before her friend could toss in a final “He likes you,” something she might have heard whispered as she climbed the stairs. She went to check on Lady Sophie. She was not anxious to keepcompany with the Carpsleys, not after Lady Carpsley’s threat, but her curiosity had been piqued.
What if someonehadgiven Lady Sophie something to make her ill?
The suggestion was worth a question or two.
Lord Carpsley was taking an afternoon snooze in a comfortable chair in a corner of the room. Lady Carpsley was reading to her daughter. Lady Sophie looked like a beautiful, pale waif resting in the middle of the feather pillows and downy comforters.
“Are you feeling any better?” Thea asked.
Lady Sophie turned mournful eyes to her. “They will all be crowding around him now. He was interested in me, and I lost him.” Her fingers twisted the sheets in her agitation.
“Your health is more important than this nonsense,” Thea said soothingly.
“Besides, Mrs. Martin is going to see that Lord Lyon doesn’t forget his interest in you, aren’t you?” Lady Carpsley finished, turning to Thea with a look that her ladyship expected to be obeyed.
“He won’t forget Lady Sophie,” Thea allowed without committing herself. “Have you had anything to eat? Would you like a bowl of broth?”
Lady Sophie pressed her lips together and shook her head. “No, I can’t eat anything.”
“When did you last eat?” Thea wondered, laying a hand on the girl’s brow. It was cool. She would recover. She was probably just weak from being ill.
“Dinner,” Lady Sophie said.
“And nothing else?”
“No.”
“Did you sleep well last night?” Thea asked.
“I did until I became ill.” Lady Sophie sighed heavily. “I wasn’t feeling terribly the thing earlier in the day yesterday. Just a little queasy.”
“Her monthly,” Lady Carpsley said, leaning toward Thea as she divulged this information, as if she didn’t want the sleeping Lord Carpsley to overhear.
“Mother gave me a troche to settle me. I told her I was so nervous with excitement I didn’t think I could sleep.”
“And she must sleep!” Lady Carpsley declared. “We need her looking fresh.”
“A troche?” Thea questioned.
“Yes,” Lady Carpsley answered. “Lord Corkindale gave it to me. Said it always settles his daughter’s nerves. He is such a kind man. The others are biddies, spiteful and competitive. Lord Corkindale is very much a gentleman and understands fair play. He told me he can see Lord Lyon hasdeveloped a fondness for Sophie. He was regretful his lordship didn’t favor his daughter, but it is what it is.”
“Lord Corkindale said this?” Thea repeated in disbelief.
“He was very supportive. Told me to have my daughter let the troche dissolve slowly in her mouth. And it did settle you down, didn’t it, Sophie? Of course, what we didn’t know is that she was taking frightfully ill. Maybe I should have asked him for another to give her.”
And maybe Lord Corkindale had dispensed with his daughter’s competition along with that troche.
Thea forced a smile. “Please let us know if there is anything you need, Lady Sophie.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Martin,” the girl said, but then added, “have they returned from the picnic yet?”
“They have not yet returned, Lady Sophie. However, don’t be anxious. Lord Lyon’s character is not a shallow one,” Thea said.
“But heismale,” Lady Carpsley said. “They can’t help themselves. Even that one,” she finished, rolling her eyes in her sleeping husband’s direction. She sighed. “No, I prefer to put my faith in you.”
Thea did not appreciate the subtle reminder of what was at stake if Lyon failed to offer for LadySophie. She left the room. As she was coming downstairs, the picnickers were just returning.