The Light in the Duke's Shadow: A Historical Regency Romance Book Read online

  “Probably so,” Reginald said from Penelope’s other side. “Gretchen, where will we find her?”

  Gretchen turned. “We are on the first floor. Shall you stay out here for the doctor to arrive then?”

  “Aye,” Reginald called as he came to a stop and looked back at the carriage. “I think it’s best if I do. Stuart, mind the ladies.”

  Stuart bobbed his head. “Of course,” he said as he and Penelope continued towards the building. Reginald walked the few steps back towards the carriage eying a man who was sitting on the broken sidewalk with distrust.

  Gretchen waited at the door for them. “She’ll probably be sleeping,” she told them quietly as she opened the front door. “We are just to the right here.” She went in the front door, and Stuart caught the door, holding it open for Penelope. Inside the building, there was an open area and some stairs. Gretchen turned away from the stairs to the right and walked into a lower set of rooms.

  Penelope eyed the stains on the walls and did her best to lift her skirts up off the floors. Up ahead, Gretchen had gone into another room. Penelope came to a stop. “It is probably best if we wait. I would not like to give a sick woman a nasty startle.”

  “Good idea, Miss,” Stuart said with a nod. He cleared his throat and looked around the apartment.

  Penelope pursed out her lips in thought before she asked, “Do you live here in London?”

  “I stay on at the manor in the staff rooms mainly, Miss. I grew up near Newcastle,” Stuart said with a smile.

  Penelope nodded. “That sounds lovely. I do not go up north often.” She longed to simply come out and ask the man if he had any intentions towards Gretchen, but she did not want the maid angry at her either. Penelope asked, “Have you any young lady waiting for you in Newcastle?”

  Stuart stammered, “I—no, Miss.”

  Penelope laughed. “I apologise for making you uncomfortable. I simply do not know what to talk about.”

  “No offence taken, Miss,” Stuart assured her.

  The door came open that Gretchen had gone through. “She’s awake, Miss. Do you think the doctor will be long? She looks something terrible.”

  “I hope it will not be long,” Penelope said with a frown. Gretchen waved for Penelope to come with her. Stuart hung back as it would not be appropriate for him to enter a lady’s bedroom.

  Penelope stepped into the bedroom and noticed that the woman had little more than a down mattress on the floor. Gretchen’s mother lay wrapped in a blanket with a pillow tucked behind her head. “Hello,” Penelope said unsure how she should address the woman. “I hear from Gretchen that you are not feeling well, Ma’am.”

  The woman’s eyes widened as she took in Penelope’s clothes. “Oh, I had no idea that Gretchen had brought a Lady. Forgive the state of us.”

  “No, think nothing of it. You are ill and need your rest,” Penelope said to quiet the woman who was already clamouring to untangle herself from the blankets. Gretchen had knelt down to attempt to arrest her mother’s movements, but Penelope’s words brought the woman instantly to a stop. “There now, lay back and rest yourself.”

  Once her mother was laying down comfortably again, Gretchen gave Penelope a thankful look. “She’s been coughing for weeks. That man upstairs gave her some snakeoil medicine that only puts her to sleep. I fear it does more harm than good. She’s so weak.”

  “Well, we should have a talk to him, perhaps,” Penelope said with a frown.

  Gretchen’s mother insisted, “He meant no harm. He was just doing what he could.”

  “As long as you vouch for his character, then I shall let him be,” Penelope promised the woman to soothe her. “We shall see what the doctor says when he calls.”

  The older woman’s eyes widened. “We can’t afford a doctor.”

  “Worry not about it, good woman. Gretchen has served my family well, and we intend to look after her and yourself.” Penelope tucked the blanket up around the woman a bit more to give her hands something to do.

  There was the sound of footsteps. “I think it might be the doctor,” Gretchen said as she clasped her hands together.

  “I shall see,” Penelope told them. She quickly made her way out just in time to see the doctor enter the building led by Reginald. “Doctor Jones, please right this way.”

  The doctor nodded his head and followed Penelope with a smile. “You certainly have me on my toes lately, young lady.”

  “She is right through here with her daughter,” Penelope said as she ignored the man’s words and just returned his smile. Penelope offered, “I shall just stay out here, so it is not too cramped.”

  The man nodded as he took off his hat and handed it to Stuart. “Very well. I shall assess her and give you my recommendation.” The man disappeared into the room, and Penelope held her breath.

  Stuart whispered, “Do you think he can help her?”

  “I certainly hope so. It would devastate poor Gretchen to lose her mother. I do not know that they have anyone but each other,” Penelope said with a frown.

  Reginald exhaled a breath and said, “Doctor Jones is a good physician. If anyone can help her, it’ll be him.”

  ***

  When the doctor finally reappeared, he did so with a smile. “Well, the good news is that I believe she just has bronchitis. It should clear up if she has proper medicine and rest.”

  “That is very good,” Penelope said. “Is there bad news?”

  Doctor Jones sighed. “The conditions here are deplorable, and the dampness could lead to fluid in her lungs. With her being so weak, it will work against her.”

  “So, we can take her to our home where she can rest. We have rooms.” Penelope gave the doctor a smile as she spoke.

  Doctor Jones hesitated to agree. “Do you not think it might be wise to check with your father on such matters?”

  “Perhaps, but she does not need to stay here any longer than possible,” Penelope said. “Surely that should be sensible enough for my father to understand. Now, Reginald,” Penelope turned towards the carriage driver. “You and Stuart will be required to help Gretchen’s mother to the carriage. She will likely not be able to walk.”

  Doctor Jones seemed to relent and said, “I have some of the medicine on me that she will require. I can bring the rest around.”

  “Very good,” Penelope said with a nod. “Our other carriage is waiting out front to carry you where you wish when you are ready to go.”

  The doctor nodded and fished out a couple of bottles from his bag. “Just give her a good tablespoon of both of these as soon as you have her comfortable. One will help her rest; the other is for the cough.”

  Penelope took the bottles and placed them gently in her bag. “I shall see that it is done personally.”

  The doctor nodded his head and bowed before he stepped out the door while putting his hat back in place. Penelope took a deep breath and motioned for the men to follow her. She peeked her head into the bedroom. “Are we ready to go? Or do we need to pack?”

  “We have very little,” Gretchen said as she scooped up a blanket to wrap up a few things in. “Are you certain your father will allow this, Miss?”

  Penelope nodded. “Of course, he is a reasonable man, after all. You worry over your mother, and I will take care of my father.” Penelope motioned to the men. “Ma’am, these two gentlemen are going to help you out to the carriage. Do not hesitate to lean on them. They are plenty strong enough to support you.”

  Reginald and Stuart helped the woman to her feet. Reginald said, “Might be better if I carry you, Ma’am. Would that be acceptable?”

  Gretchen’s mother nodded, and Reginald scooped her up as gently as he could. Stuart went ahead and made sure the doors were open so that Reginald could get out of the building easily. Penelope followed along behind them with Gretchen trailing her out of the building.

  Once they were loaded up, Gretchen sat down next to her mother and cradled the woman’s head against her shoulder. Penelope let th
e woman rest, and they rode in peace until they arrived back at the manor house. Getting Gretchen’s mother out of the carriage proved far more difficult than getting her in, mainly because she was too weak to help lift herself. Stuart ended up climbing in the other door and helping to lower her out to Reginald, who then carried her inside.

  The doorman gave them a surprised look as he held the door open for their procession. Gretchen spoke up as they entered the foyer. “There are some spare rooms in the staff quarters. We can place her there, so she’ll be tucked out of the way.”

  “Sounds reasonable,” Penelope agreed and motioned with her hand for Reginald to do as Gretchen suggested. Gretchen took the lead and led Reginald towards the bed she had in mind while Penelope took a deep breath and rocked back on her heels.

  The doorman, an older white-haired man going by the name of Mason asked, “Is that Gretchen’s mother?”

  “It is,” Penelope admitted. “Is my father in his study?”

  The doorman shook his head. “No, Miss. He got called away on business. I imagine he will not be back until this evening.”

  “That is even better,” Penelope said with far too much excitement before she toned it down. “My mother then?”

  Mason nodded. “She is in her sitting room, Miss.”

  “Very good,” Penelope said with a smile at the man. She headed off far more confident that she could win over her mother’s approval and thereby bypass her father altogether for the time being.

  Lady Winchester’s sitting room was to be found down a long hallway past the foyer and just before the library wing that housed Miss Lorraine’s set of rooms. Penelope drew in a breath and gave the door a light rap with her knuckles.

  “Do come in,” Lady Winchester called through the door.

  Penelope opened the door and gave her mother a bright smile. “Mother, am I catching you at tea?” Penelope eyed the tray in front of her mother, but the woman merely waved Penelope fully into the room. Penelope did so and gently shut the door behind her.

  “I am having tea, but I have plenty to share. Please, sit,” Lady Winchester said with a gracious sweep of her hand towards the sofa cushion beside her.

  Penelope sat down hesitantly. She poured herself a small cup of tea. “I have but just a moment, but I am ever so parched.”

  “I heard you went out this morning. It is good to see you still going about your life and not waiting on any certain gentleman’s call,” Lady Winchester said with a smile as she picked up her own tea and took a sip.

  Penelope laughed lightly. “Actually, my trip into the city has brought me here to ask you a favour.” Penelope saw the beginnings of a frown on her mother’s face. “Do not sour against me already, Mother. I bring you a humble Christian request that we aid one of our own staff in their time of need.”

  Lady Winchester’s frown deepened. “You seek to turn us into a charity house.”

  “I seek to help soften our reputation. You are aware of the reputation Father has established for us, are you not?” Penelope took a sip of her tea as she eyed her mother steadily.

  Lady Winchester sighed and cradled her tea in her slender hands. “What is it that you seek from me?”

  “A bed in the staff quarters for as long as it takes Gretchen’s mother to overcome her bout of bronchitis. Doctor Jones assures me that she will fair a much better chance here than in that horrible building Gretchen and her mother live in.” Penelope saw the change on her mother’s face when she mentioned Doctor Jones.

  Lady Winchester said in a scandalised whisper, “You had our physician go to see Gretchen’s mother?”

  “It was a promise that I had made, and I saw fulfilled. I take on any expense out of my own personal funds,” Penelope told her mother as she set down her teacup. “Surely, you can have nothing against me offering a woman a bed.”

  Lady Winchester’s brow furrowed. She looked for all the world as if she was really trying to come up with some argument against letting Gretchen’s mother stay, but in the end, she just sighed. “Very well,” Lady Winchester said with a huff. “Only until she is improved, and you still have to persuade your father. I take no responsibility in this.”

  “Of course, Mother,” Penelope said with a smile. Just merely having her mother’s assent would do a good deal to persuade her father, and Penelope was not terribly afraid her father would say no, especially if he were still in a good mood from the Duke’s assent to attend his party.

  Chapter 11

  “How are you feeling, Miss Tanner?” Penelope asked as she came into the long room that housed several of the maids that worked in the house.

  Gretchen’s mother, whose last name Penelope had only recently learned, smiled over at Penelope. “I feel like a different person. Your doctor’s an amazing sort.”

  “He has always done well by us,” Penelope agreed with a smile. “Can I see to anything for you?”

  The woman shook her head. “No, no,” she said with a blush. “I’m doing well.”

  “That is good.” Penelope sat down on the edge of the bed. “Your daughter tells me that you have some skill with needle and thread?”

  Gretchen’s mother nodded, her eyes widening a bit. “I used to be a seamstress.”

  “Do you think you would be capable of working in that capacity again? Nothing truly strenuous, just some light mending and such to free up the seamstress that we currently employ,” Penelope ventured.

  The woman worried with the covers under her hands a bit as she spoke. “That is most generous of you, but I could not take any more charity, Miss.”

  “Nonsense, good pay for decent work is in no way charity, Miss Tanner. With the Season upon us, Mother always has our seamstress quite busy, and with a household this size there is always mending,” Penelope said in a reasonable tone. She shrugged. “It simply makes good sense that we should hire from good stock. Your daughter is a hard worker, and I would imagine that she learned that from you.”

  Miss Tanner drew herself up proudly. “Gretchen is a strong-willed woman, and if it will truly benefit you, then I would be honoured to return the favour of your generosity by aiding your household, Lady Withersfield.”

  Penelope beamed a smile at the woman. “Then it is all settled. Now, all you need do is rest and get better.” Penelope patted the woman’s leg through the bed covers. “I shall come and call on you again soon.”

  As she breezed out of the room, Penelope felt light and happy. She had succeeded in convincing her father that her plan was financially sound and moreover cost efficient as it would cost him little to nothing. Now that Gretchen’s mother had employment here, they could stay on in the staff rooms, and she would be well looked after as well.

  Penelope was quite content with herself as she made her way towards the library. She gave the door a tap as she turned the knob. “Miss Lorraine?” Penelope called.

  The woman’s voice called back, “Come in, sweetie!”

  “Oh, there you are,” Penelope said with a smile as she came into the room and peered around the bookshelves to find the woman reclined on a sofa reading.

  Miss Lorraine set her book aside on the table and waved for Penelope to sit next to her. “Are you excited for the party this evening?”

  “I am,” Penelope said as she came over and sank down onto the cushion next to Miss Lorraine. “Will you be attending?”

  Miss Lorraine inclined her head. “Of course, I shall,” she said with a smile. “I should like very much to see this Duke of yours personally. I failed to make his acquaintance when he was here before, and I should make up for that, I think.”