Chapter 16 Saving Aunt Rose Some Trouble
Saving Aunt Rose Some Trouble
HE HARDLY remembered my name!
Belinda was still standing in the same place since Mr Alwyn’s departure, the threat of tears burning in her eyes.
I must have made a very faint impression on him even though we were together so often, and in spite of how frequently I think of him! And now it seems I must face him again tomorrow!
Taking stock of how she had just done so, she strove to calm herself.
I spoke in a steady voice — even looked directly at him twice. That was good.
However, her self-reflection was cut short as she noticed her aunt was still beside her.
Goodness, she looks wan! Well, she did have hopes that Mr Alwyn and I might suit. I mustn’t raise them again by showing how affected I am at his reappearance.
“Come, Aunt Rose. You look as if you could do with a cup of tea.” Though her legs wobbled beneath her, she drew her aunt into the parlour. As they settled onto the settee, she asked uneasily, “How fares Minnie?”
“Minnie?” Rose asked, her face blank.
Uncertainty dawned in Belinda’s mind.
Aunt Rose would call in a doctor to treat her ailing servant, wouldn’t she?
“Erm, yes. What did he…what did Mr Alwyn say about her?”
Coming alive, Mrs Caspar reached for Lindy’s hand. “No, no — he came to see George!”
The words broke like an ice cold wave over Belinda’s head.
“My uncle?” she gasped, ashamed that her injured pride at being forgotten by Mr Alwyn had blinded her to all else. “What has happened to him?”
Swallowing hard, Rose began, “When Minnie led me upstairs, she said that George had had a fall. I thought at first she meant from his horse, so when she said Lee had helped him up off of the study floor, I nearly scolded her for giving me such a fright. I was so relieved to see George then, safe in bed.” Her breath caught. “But then, I saw his face…”
Her voice drifted off as she stared at the far wall.
Belinda waited, afraid to ask what troubling images filled her aunt’s mind.
Finally, Rose continued, though still in that distant manner. “Mr Alwyn said it was apoplexy that struck him.”
Apoplexy?
Trying to quell her own sense of alarm at the strange word, Belinda squeezed her aunt’s fingers and said, “Well, having seen Mr Alwyn tend to my mother, I trust my uncle is in good hands.”
Mrs Caspar returned to herself.
“That is right. My sister is quite well now, isn’t she?”
Belinda nodded, thinking, However, it was not apoplexy that afflicted her…
Hoping her qualm didn’t show on her face, she reached for the bell pull. “And now for that tea.”
“No.” Rose stopped her. “I must get back to George.”
“Oh aunt, is there anything I can do to ease your mind? Anything at all?”
“Ah, what a treasure you are.” Rose laid her head on the girl’s shoulder. “Would you send word to Nell and Thaddeus, telling them what has happened? They would be sorely upset if they learned we didn’t tell them at once, but do assure them they needn’t cut their travels short.”
Belinda was already standing up. “I’ll write to them now that the letter will go out with the afternoon post. Would you like to look it over before it’s sealed?”
“No, I trust your clever head.” Rose stood – no longer dazed, Lindy was thankful to see – and they exited the parlour together.
Belinda went alone to her uncle’s study and sat down at the desk.
As she prepared a sheet of foolscap, she decided to address her letter to Nell only, knowing she would share the news with Thad and Elliott.
Then she sat a long time, biting her thumb, wondering what she ought to write as she did not want to upset her cousins, especially as they were so far away.
Finally putting pen to paper, she started with her typical greeting, followed by a brief report of her uncle’s fit.
She emphasized that he had been given an excellent prognosis and was receiving the best of care.
Then hoping to lighten the letter’s tone, she went on to describe how she had met the Hartleys, and the hollering Mrs Phylter, thinking it might make her cousin chuckle.
She made no mention of her intention to become a lady’s companion as Nell was owed a much longer explanation than Lindy felt able to give just then.
After reading the missive over, she sealed it shut.
Mamma ought to know, as well, she thought, and wrote out a brief message to send to Trippingham.
In tidying the desk afterwards, she lifted a lone sheet of paper, a corner of which had been weighted by the inkwell. It looked to be a letter.
Is this what Uncle George was attending to when he was struck down? Glancing at its closure, Belinda read:
…creditors show little patience. I look forward to your prompt response, dear George.
Ever your loving sister ~ Imogene
With reluctant curiosity, Lindy noted it was dated days earlier, and had an originating address for Imogene Chaffee at Hollyfield Park.
Belinda did not know the woman as her uncle’s family had never intermingled with her aunt’s family.
However, she had heard her mother gripe about ‘George’s shiftless kin who’ve lived for naught at Hollyfield, years and years on end’.
Belinda had not pointed out to her that the Eversons themselves had also benefited repeatedly from Uncle George’s largesse.
Surely this Imogene will wonder why her brother has not responded to her letter. I ought to save Aunt Rose some trouble by answering it myself.
Thinking that once she was employed, she might write much correspondence on another’s behalf, Lindy sat down again, and wrote:
Dear Mrs Chaffee ~
Please forgive my directness in writing to you.
I, Belinda Everson, have the honour to be Mr George Caspar’s niece by marriage.
Do not be alarmed upon receipt of this, but I felt sure you would wish to know that your brother, George, has recently suffered a fit of apoplexy.
Allow me to assure you that he is receiving exceptional medical care and is on the mend. He sends his love to you and yours.
She paused, her pen hovering over that final, petty falsehood.
Why did I include that? My uncle doesn’t even know I’m writing to his sister. She bit her lip, wondering if she ought to crumple the sheet and start again. But certainly he sends his love every time he writes to her himself, so this might assure her he is truly well.
But is he truly well?
Belinda recalled the haunted look in Rose’s eyes as she signed and sealed the letter. Once she had entrusted it and the others to Minnie’s care, she headed upstairs, hoping to comfort her aunt, and see her uncle for herself.