Chapter 9
Normanton House, that evening
Parting from Fontus, Dee made her way to the suite she shared with her mother. Removing her bonnet and cloak, she rang for her maid then knocked on her mother’s bed chamber door.
Receiving no response, she cracked the door open and peered into the room. The sheet covered lumps in the bed implied Mother had one of her rare sick headaches and had decided to sleep it off. Dee closed the door quietly just as Greta entered the room.
“How may I …”
“Shh.” Dee placed a forefinger before her pursed lips. “My mother is sleeping. She never naps during the day, so she must have a sick headache.”
“I’ll be happy to prepare a tisane,” Greta offered.
“No, she should be fine by the time we dress for dinner.”
“Very well, my lady.”
“I want a bath and will rest before dinner. Please wake me an hour before.”
“I will arrange it.”
“Thank you, Greta.”
Night had fallen by the time the sound of her bedcurtains rattling woke Dee.
She had Greta assist her with her ensemble and hair.
Ready sooner than she expected, she decided to go down to the Grand Salon.
Someone should be there. She was sure to find stimulating conversation.
She tiptoed to her mother’s door, and knocked softly.
Her mother had not moved.
She must feel very ill. If she is not better by the time dinner is finished, I shall ask Sir Peter to send for a physician.
“Mother is still sleeping,” Dee informed Greta. “Please see that she is not disturbed.”
“Yes, my lady. I will do your mending so as to be close at hand.”
“Thank you, Greta. I shall relax knowing she is well cared for.”
In the grand salon, she found her hosts conversing with Frobbin and the local vicar.
Lady Beatrix sat on a settee near the far wall.
Two young bucks, friends of Robin’s, lay siege to that lady’s attention.
The lady blinked rapidly and moved her head slowly from side to side.
Her gaze lifted to Dee’s for a moment. Dee caught the unspoken plea for rescue.
She aimed in the direction of her new friend. Halfway there, Frobbin blocked her path.
“What do you want?” She wished she could give him the cut direct.
“I must speak with you privately.”
“I do not care to converse with you, sir. Nothing you can say is of any interest to me.” She used her iciest tone.
He arched a brow. “Not even if it concerns your mother?”
Dee lifted her chin and sniffed. “My mother is asleep with a sick headache and is no concern of yours.”
Hands clasped behind his back, Frobbin rocked back and forth on his heels. “Really? Did you see her?”
“She is asleep, so of course I did not disturb her.”
“Hmm. Perhaps you can explain a mystery for me.”
“I tire of whatever game you play. Get to the point, so I may speak with someone else.”
“I play no game. However, since you are so certain of your mother’s location, maybe you can explain this note she wanted me to give you.”
Without thinking, Dee took the offered slip of paper, unfolded it, and read.
Daughter, please do not do as this canaille asks. He dares not carry out his threats. Deny him, and I will be fine.”
Beside her mother’s signature, in very tiny script of an ancient style were the words Neart agus Faireachadh, war cry of the Aitken clan in her father’s native tongue.
Strength and Vigilance. Few people from other nations could translate the ancient Scots language, let alone the particular dialect used here.
Hence, her father had established it as a way of verifying that any message was truly from family.
“I am surprised that you permitted my mother to write such a note.”
Barbeau shrugged. “I care only that you understand she is my guest at a location I shall disclose later. You may of course do as she asks and ignore my warning.”
“You made no threat.”
“Immediately after the ladies leave the table, you must excuse yourself.”
“On what grounds?”
“I don’t care what lie you create.” He snarled the words despite the smile he kept on his face.
“So, you wish to make a liar of me as well as a slave.”
“Take care, Lady Deoiridh. I will soon be your husband. You will not wish to test my patience. Having excused yourself, get a cloak and bonnet. Steal one from the maids if you must, but do not return to your room. My associates among the footmen will tell me should you deviate from my instructions. Leave the house by a side door and make your way to the front gate. Stay within the shadow of the trees lining the drive. No one must know you left or suspect that anyone has gone from the house. I will meet you at the gate and take you to our destination. Bring nothing. I will provide everything you need once we are married.”
Dee laughed. “You honestly believe you can coerce me into marriage.” She kept back information of her marriage to Fontus. She and Mother were safer if Barbeau believed her single, for now.
“I believe you would do anything to prevent your mother being sold into prostitution. Arabs with seraglios prize white women highly. While her age and experience make her less valuable than a young virgin, your mother is especially attractive and will fetch a high price. A small compensation for myself should you decide to sacrifice her and remain unmarried.”
He would, do it. She must stop him.
But how?
She had an hour or so to plan.
“If you try to cross me, I warn you I will watch you carefully for the entire evening. Any appearance of conspiracy with another guest will result in very unpleasant consequences.”
“You err if you imagine I cannot defeat you and your plot. Even if I go with you later, you may regret that you ever attempted to force me.”
He issued another shrug. “Keep your delusions You need not tell me your intentions. Tonight, when you either appear at the Normanton House front gates or not, I will know how much you value your mother.”
I will rescue Mother and visit vengeance on Barbeau so terrible, he will never recover.
Her smile showed her teeth. “You are incapable of understanding the depth of feeling Mother and I share.”
“Perhaps. However, I know you would give your life to keep her safe. Ah, I see one of the Danvers ladies, beckoning me. I shall bid you good evening.”
He walked away.
Dee stood staring into space.
Lady Beatrix rose and approached. The young bucks followed in her wake.
“Gentlemen, I wish a private word with Lady Deoiridh. You may leave us.”
The bucks walked away, unable or unwilling to disturb a private conversation.
“My friend, are you well?”
Dee nodded, dropped her arms to her sides, crumpled the note, and stuffed it into a hidden pocket of her gown.
“I saw that horrible Quaker person speaking with you,” Lady Beatrix continued. “Did he lecture you on the sins of self-indulgence and warn you to take up the first marriage proposal you received lest you come to a bad end.”
Dee laughed at the irony. “Yes, we did speak of marriage. For a person of short acquaintance, I found him quite forward.”
Lady Beatrix leaned close. “You are too kind.”
She took Lady Beatrix’s arm and aimed for the now empty settee. “He is not worth our attention. Tell me did you enjoy speaking with those two young men? I believe they are friends of Robin.”
“Not very much. They spoke of little but horses, hunting, and racing carriages.”
Dee and her friend sat.
“A shame that young men do not value intelligent women. Next time, start a conversation about Pliny. Their sort will disappear faster than you can blink at the mention of any topic that might require them to think.”
Lady Beatrix giggled. “I had not thought of employing my knowledge as a shield.”
“It is a trick I learned early from my mother to deal with presumptuous or unpleasant courtiers.”
“Speaking of your mother,” Fontus’s voice came from over her shoulder. “Where is the lovely Lady Aitken?”
Dee fixed her smile in place before she shifted to include him in her view. Should she confide Barbeau’s demands to him? Uncertainty kept her silent.
“I left her asleep in her bed,” Dee lied. “She never sleeps during the day, unless she feels poorly.”
“I am sorry to learn she is unwell.”
“Can I do anything to help?” Lady Beatrix asked.
“Thank you both. Mother will be fine. Sleep is the best restorative. If you’ll excuse me.” She stood. “I must give Sir Peter and Lady Somerville her excuses.”
“Of course,” Lady Beatrix murmured.
“We will come with you,” Fontus announced, assisting the ladies to stand.
Moments after speaking with their hosts, dinner was announced.
Throughout the meal, Dee felt his gaze on her. Could he sense something disturbed her peace? Would he think it simple concern for her mother? Did she dare confide Frobbin’s threats to her husband?