The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetsch (best new books to read .TXT) 📗

“Milady, I’m so sorry to wake you, but …” One of the young maids spoke softly as she opened the door. Her head poked in, her mobcap askew. “It’s Lady Richardson, milady.”

A throb of panic shot through Sophie. “What’s wrong?”

“She’s crying, milady. In her room. She’s most upset.”

Relief and concern collided in Sophie’s chest. “Is she ill?”

“No, milady. I found her in an upstairs hall, lost and near frantic. I told her where she was and that she was safe as can be, and I brought her back to her bedchamber, but she’s that distressed.” Furrows marred the young girl’s pretty, freckled face. “She don’t seem to be in her right mind. I left the tweeny with her, but Gracie is scared of the lady, and she might not stay.”

Sophie was away before the maid finished, running down the hallway in her bare feet, her nightgown and wrapper flying. Poor Mamie. Waking up in a strange place. She’d had such a good evening, Sophie hadn’t given it a second thought that she might become disoriented.

She skidded to a halt outside the open bedroom door to get herself under control. It wouldn’t do to discomfit Mamie further by appearing anxious. Smoothing her hair, making certain her belt was tight, she plastered a smile on her face.

“Good morning, Mamie. You’re up with the sun today.” She breezed in, motioning that the tweeny could go.

With a grateful bob, the youngster scurried away, her eyes wide. A feeling of misgiving settled into Sophie’s middle. It would be all over the manor that Lady Richardson should be shunted off to Bethlehem Hospital before cook finished preparing breakfast.

Mamie huddled in the window seat, her hands trembling, clutching a handkerchief. She squinted at Sophie, eyes full of tears. For a moment only confusion was there, but then recognition came, and her shoulders slumped.

Sophie knelt beside her and put her arms around the older woman, leaning her forehead against Mamie’s temple. “It’s all right, dearest. No harm done. You’re safe and sound, and Sophie’s here to look after you.”

Mamie sniffed and dabbed her nose. “I got lost. I didn’t know where I was when I woke up, and when I went out into the hall, I couldn’t find my way back. I feel like an imbecile. Why is this happening to me? What if I ‘go away’ in my head one day and I don’t come back? What will happen to me then?” She clutched at Sophie’s hand, swallowing hard.

“Shhh. Don’t distress yourself. You’re found now. And you’re not alone in being a bit disoriented this morning. I needed a moment or two to sort myself and my surroundings when I woke up. It’s been a long time since I awoke at Haverly Manor.” She eased her hold on Mamie and sat back on her heels. This was the first time Mamie had indicated she knew anything was amiss, and it broke Sophie’s heart. Gently she smoothed Mamie’s hair away from her face and squeezed her fingers. Mamie responded with a trembling smile.

Sophie avoided the question of why Mamie was “going away” in her head. And what might happen if she didn’t come back to them. The doctor had warned the episodes would come more frequently, and they would last longer. Eventually, Mamie wouldn’t be able to remember anything that had happened to her recently and would become fixated upon the past, things from her younger days, until finally she wouldn’t remember anything at all.

And along with this, physical frailties would increase.

But he had assured Sophie the process was long and gradual and had suggested she not alarm Mamie with what would happen in the future.

Stroking Mamie’s shoulder she asked, “How was your sleep?”

A smile touched Mamie’s lips. “I dreamed of the ocean. Of birds calling, and a fresh breeze, tangy with salt.”

Sophie hadn’t been to the seaside since she was a girl. The vastness had made her feel small and a bit afraid … until Marcus had taken her hand and walked with her along the sandy shore, letting the cold water break over their bare feet.

Pushing herself up, she took Mamie’s hand. “Let’s get dressed and breakfasted and see about making a plan. I would love to see where you grew up, and maybe we can find that little cottage on the shore and stay for a while.”

She played the part of Mamie’s maid, as she often did, helping her dress and fix her hair, and then Mamie did the same for Sophie back in her room. By the time they were ready to descend for breakfast, Mamie was calm and clear of mind.

“I loved taking Rich to the shore when he was a boy, but he did make me nervous.” Mamie took her time making her way down the main staircase, holding on to the rail. “Never a care for his safety. I found him halfway up a cliff, trying to reach a colony of guillemot, when he was but five summers old. Though what he expected to do when he got to the birds’ nesting place, I never found out. If he wasn’t climbing the cliffs, he was sneaking into the fishermen’s boats. I seemed to spend half my holidays trying to keep him safe.”

Sophie tried to imagine her dashing fiancé as a small boy, breeches stained with dirt, hair windswept, nose sunburned. The boy had become the man, adventurous, brave, with no care for his safety.

It was hard to think of all that restless energy and courage gone.

They entered the breakfast room, and Marcus and Captain Wyvern rose.

Charlotte said, “Good morning, ladies. I hope you slept well.”

“Yes, thank you.” Sophie seated Mamie. “I’ll bring you some breakfast.”

“Please, be seated, both of you, and allow me to fetch you each a plate.” Captain Wyvern remained standing, his serviette in his hand. “Your brother keeps a fine table. Much better than a breakfast aboard ship. I’ve already partaken of more than wisdom dictates.”

He filled plates from the chafing dishes.