Chapter 6 #2
Mrs Mabbs nodded, her expression smug. “Yes, I do. You’ve been sitting up reading those dreadful novels of yours and scaring yourself to death so you can’t sleep.
I tell you, it isn’t right, a young woman reading about haunted castles and mad monks, and blood and murder, and heaven alone knows what else. Is it any wonder you can’t sleep?”
Izzy let out an uneven breath, torn between laughter and a bout of tears.
Her nerves were all on end, her patience shattered.
Here she was drinking tea whilst Boreas sank deeper into fever.
What on earth would she do if he died? “You’re right, of course, Mrs Mabbs.
I’m living a nightmare, and it’s entirely my fault. ”
“Mad monks?” Caspar repeated, finding this an intriguing conversation.
Mrs Mabbs tsked, reaching out for a fresh roll and tearing it in two, lavishly buttering each piece before giving one to Caspar and one to Daisy.
“Never mind mad monks. What’s wrong with a nice fairy story?
That’s what I’d like to know. Not that you were ever fond of those,” she lamented, shaking her head.
“Even when you were a little girl, you always wanted stories about pirates and adventures.”
Izzy’s mouth quirked, it was true. Well, and she was having an adventure now, was she not?
How romantic she might have thought it if she had read about a young woman nursing a wounded pirate back to health in a hidden location.
Well, perhaps she would look back on this time in the same light if her smuggler lived.
“Well, you heed my words and forget those nasty stories and turn your attention to nicer things. I’ll be having words with your papa if you don’t—”
“For heaven’s sake, Mrs Mabbs, I am not one of your charges, nor do I need your advice. I’m not a child!”
Mrs Mabbs gasped, never having heard Izzy speak to her so harshly before.
Little Daisy began to cry, and Izzy swallowed, wishing she could take it back.
She was just so very tired and trying to pretend everything was normal seemed entirely beyond her.
“Forgive me, Mrs Mabbs. I deserve to have my ears boxed for that. I’m afraid I am rather out of sorts.
I had no right to speak to you so rudely. ”
Mrs Mabbs’ expression softened. “You’re tired, pet. Least said, soonest mended, eh?”
Izzy let out an unsteady breath and nodded, grateful for the woman’s kindness. She was uncertain she deserved it, though. A knock at the front door took their attention and Mrs Mabbs scowled. “Who on earth is that at this hour?”
“I’ll go,” Izzy said, pushing to her feet and grateful for the chance to escape.
She hurried from the room and along the hallway to the front door and pulled it open.
“Surprise!”
Izzy blinked, stunned by the gorgeous young woman on her doorstep. Dressed in the height of fashion, wearing a redingote in a glorious shade of green, trimmed with black silk frogging and her black curls framing her beautiful face beneath a charming bonnet, stood Angelica Everdene.
“Angel!” Izzy cried and ran forward, hugging her friend tightly.
“Oh, you did miss me!” Angel exclaimed with delight, hugging her back with equal enthusiasm.
“Of course I did, you ninny. But where are my manners? Come in, come in. What are you doing here? I thought you were away at finishing school.”
Angel pulled a face. “And so I was. Oh, Izzy. I have a deal to tell you. None of it happy news, I’m afraid.”
Izzy regarded her friend with dismay, noting her dark eyes lacked their usual sparkle.
Her mind immediately went to Black Jack, for Izzy had not been to see him this week, what with being rather busy with Boreas, though she knew her father had.
It had taken some persuasion from both her and Angel to get the wicked old devil to allow her father to come, but it had only taken one visit and a rather lively game of poker for Black Jack to realise Reverend Honeywell was not the usual prosy vicar.
“Not Jack?” she asked, feeling utterly dreadful at having missed her visit to him.
Angel smiled. “No. Though he’s weaker, isn’t he? I was rather shocked at how frail he’s become.”
“His spirit is still as fierce as ever.” Izzy smiled, not liking to confirm the words though she knew they were true, as she led Angel through to the parlour and closed the door so they could speak in private.
“That it is, which is what makes things so difficult. He’s a cantankerous old goat and won’t let anyone have a moment's respite.” Angel laughed as she undid her bonnet and threw it down on the sofa.
“Lord above, would you listen to me harping on? Here I am, not back in town five minutes and I’m already bending your ear with complaints. ”
“Don’t be daft. I may take my turn after,” Izzy told her with a smile, wondering if she dared to involve Angel in her trouble.
She trusted her implicitly, but if she had her own difficulties, it would not be fair to add to them.
Izzy sat down and patted the cushion beside her until Angel sat at her side.
The young woman sighed and leaned into Izzy, her expression rueful. “Go ahead. I’d love to listen to troubles other than my own. It’s all Papa’s fault, of course.”
“Oh, dear.” Izzy winced. Angel’s father was a feckless idiot, and that was the kindest way she could think to describe him.
“We’re up River Tick without a paddle,” Angel said with her usual candour.
“Papa has ruined us, and Pops is furious. He’s told Papa that’s it, there’s no more money to be had.
Mama has begged and begged, but Pops just shrugs and tells them to sort their own problems out.
He gave them a fortune, and they squandered it. He’s too old to care.”
Izzy regarded her friend, noting the sadness behind the words, but there was something else. “You don’t believe him.”
Angel shrugged. “He’s the stubbornest man that ever lived, and if he’s decided Papa is not to have another penny, then he shan’t have it. But no, I don’t entirely believe him.”
“He’ll leave it to you.” Izzy knew she was right the moment she said it.
Angel spread her hands in a helpless gesture.
“Perhaps. But for now, I’m home because Papa couldn’t pay the bills for the fancy school they sent me to.
Not that I care. Lord, Izzy, you cannot imagine what a lot of dull little spoiled princesses they were!
How I longed for you to come and get into trouble with me. As it was, I had to do it alone.”
“I never doubted that you would.” Izzy snorted, knowing her friend of old.
“Ah well, one must live life to the full, Izzy my love. No matter how dull it appears to be.”
Izzy smiled. Normally, she’d agree wholeheartedly with that statement, but right now, a dull day seemed desperately appealing.
Angel’s expression grew serious, and Izzy could see how worried she was. “Will you come and see him, Izzy? I know a visit from you would perk him up. It always does.”
Izzy nodded, hearing the anxious quaver behind the words.
She reached for Angel’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Her throat tightened as she fought back the desire to confess everything, to unburden herself, knowing that Angel would move heaven and earth to help her.
But it wasn’t fair. She could not put this on Angel when she was worried about Black Jack.
“I will. Of course I will, only… not for a day or two.”
She swallowed, knowing things would likely have resolved themselves by then. Either Boreas would show signs of improvement, or… he would not.
Angel met her eyes, smiling, but thoughtful. “You are up to something, my love.”
Izzy fidgeted, taking off her glasses and cleaning them on her skirts. “Oh, no… I—”
Laughing, Angel put out a finger and pressed it against Izzy’s lips. “No. No fibs. You don’t need to tell me a thing. I respect your privacy. Only know that I am here if you need me. Day or night. No matter how nefarious the problem. I’ll even help you bury any bodies.”
Izzy choked, torn between laughter and hysterical tears. Still, she knew what Angel meant, and the knowledge buoyed her. “You do not know what that means to me, Angel.”
Angel’s mouth kicked up at the corners. “Yes, pet. I do. Believe me, I do.”