CHAPTER SIX #3
Despite his game promise, Henry’s fortitude was sorely tried in the next few minutes as Laura put her hands under his arms and lifted him upright, cautioning him not to put any weight on the injured leg.
This was easier said than done in the awkward scramble that ensued, but she and Aubrey eventually got him positioned between them.
A quiet word from his cousin stopped Aubrey from trying to step forward immediately.
His eyes flashed to Henry’s white face, contorted in silent agony, and he waited until the boy raised his head and signalled his readiness to begin.
Their progress was slow, and punctuated by frequent stops so that Laura could take all of Henry’s weight for a time while he recovered from twinges of discomfort.
Once they reached the corner of Abingdon Street their situation began to attract the notice of passers-by.
Laura could feel her cheeks grow hot as she tried to ignore the rude stares and comments.
They did not have far to go, but she did not dare send Aubrey ahead to engage one of the hackney cabs lest Henry faint.
She was not confident that she could bear his whole weight unaided.
The trio continued at a snail’s pace until a pleasant voice said, “I would be glad to be of assistance, ma’am, if you will allow me.”
Laura glanced over her shoulder, prepared to rebuff the offer, but the man’s appearance was as pleasant and refined as his voice, and the concern on his face disarmed her objections. “This boy has wrenched his knee. If you could procure a hackney for us, I would be very grateful, sir.”
“I’ll carry the boy. You go on ahead and engage the cab.
” The stranger was scooping Henry up in his arms even as he spoke.
Laura relinquished her burden thankfully and she and Aubrey hurried forward with a murmured thank-you.
She’d acted on a split-second decision that their Galahad was respectable, but Laura could not prevent herself from looking back once to check that he was following with Henry.
He was. Within a very few minutes the trio was safely inside a carriage that was somewhat shabby but reasonably clean. Laura turned to express her gratitude once more to the helpful stranger and found him smiling at her, hat in hand.
“I hope I am not overstepping boundaries in voicing my desire to call tomorrow, to see how the boy goes on,” he said hopefully through the still-open carriage door.
“Not at all,” replied a flustered Laura, “but I am only the governess, you see. I am not permitted to receive company.” She produced the glib lie and a smile that she tried to make apologetic as she repeated her thanks to the disappointed man while pulling the door closed.
As the carriage moved away, she sat back, sighing in relief — not shame, she assured herself — and took stock of the situation.
Henry, exhausted and fragile looking, slumped between the cousins, clenching his teeth against the jolting of the carriage. Laura’s eyes met Aubrey’s over his head. As if in answer to an unspoken message, her cousin said bracingly, “You’ll be home in just a few minutes, Henry.”
“I know,” the injured boy replied, achieving a wan smile, “and I feel much better sitting down, but I expect my father will be very disappointed in me…” His voice trailed off.
“Why did you disobey your father, Henry?” Laura asked softly, noting his use of the word ‘disappointed’ instead of ‘angry’.
The child hung his head and muttered, “I know it was very bad of me, but I was so tired and bored with being in the house all by myself every day, except for the servants, and I really like to watch the boats on the river.”
“I fear your parents will be very worried if you have been gone for any length of time.”
“My mother died two years ago, and my father is always busy when Parliament sits. He won’t even know I’m gone.”
“My mother is dead too,” Aubrey interjected at that point. “Is your father very strict?”
“Oh, no,” Henry replied in swift defence of his parent. “His concern is solely for my safety.”
Before Laura could offer any palliative, Aubrey spoke up again. “I was pretty bored when we first came to town, but now I have a tutor who is a great gun.”
“You have a cousin too,” Henry pointed out with a quick look at Laura, who experienced a tug at her heartstrings.
“Laura has only been staying with us for a sennight or so. I have a sister also, but she don’t care for exploring.”
During the remainder of the short ride Laura sat back and listened as the boys ventured along the path of acquaintance.
She learned that Henry, who was nine but less robust than Aubrey, was recovering from a prolonged bout of influenza, and that his former tutor had been compelled to return to his own home to assist his ailing father.
The boys were comparing notes on their tutors when the cab stopped in front of the Exton residence.
“You are home, Henry,” Laura announced, smiling at the lad’s startled expression. “Is there someone who will be able to carry you up the steps?”
“Yes, Albert the footman is generally here, but won’t you come in? My father might be back from the sitting by now.”
“I fear that Aubrey and I have stayed out longer than expected today, Henry, but perhaps we might call in the next day or two to see how you get on — at least, Aubrey might,” she backtracked hastily, suspecting that her uncle would have something to say on the subject of young women calling at the houses of unmarried gentlemen, even elderly widowers with children.
She asked Aubrey to sound the door knocker and inform their driver they would require his services a bit longer.
She turned back to Henry when Aubrey had hopped down, and the look of resignation in his hazel eyes cost her a pang or two as he thanked her in a polite little voice.
She had to restrain an inappropriate impulse to take the lonely child in her arms and comfort him.
She was relieved to see a giant of a young man in the livery of a footman hurrying down the steps toward the carriage.
“What’s this, Master ’Enry? Gimped yer leg, ’ave you? Let’s get you inside, all right and tight.”
Laura climbed down also, but her assistance was not required.
In short order the children had said their goodbyes and Henry had disappeared into the house in Albert’s arms. A stately butler had thanked the cousins on behalf of his employer and bade them come inside, an invitation Laura had declined civilly, citing the late hour in excuse.
Laura and Aubrey re-entered the cab under the impatient eye of the jehu and they drove off, unaware that a gentleman walking on the pavement toward them had stopped abruptly and turned to stare after the departing carriage, an expression akin to shock on his face.