Part 19 (2/2)
”Not so old,” Mathilda said with a smile. ”Be careful, Thalia, or you will put us both to shame. Lord Leopold, a pleasure.”
”The same, ma'am.”
They exchanged a bow and a curtsy.
Mathilda spoke first. ”I hope I am not mistaken, but I believe I am acquainted with your sister-in-law Lady John Byron? She came to my notice through her beautiful portfolios. I have all her books of flowers and birds, and when I had an opportunity, I begged an introduction through a mutual friend. She is quite as delightful as her paintings.”
He smiled. ”Grace is extremely talented and one of the nicest people I know. My brother Jack got lucky when he married her. She and my little sister, Esme, are always talking technique when everyone is at Braebourne. Esme is an artist too and amazingly clever with a brush, and I don't say that just because I am her brother.”
”In that case, I hope I have the opportunity to view her work one of these days.”
Thalia looked down at her linked hands, all too aware that she herself would never have such a chance. Lord Leopold would not be introducing her to any of his wellborn female relations. Nor did she expect him to. She had lost her place in genteel Society the moment Gordon made his accusations against her and sought a divorce.
”So what is this about you being Thalia's physician?” Mathilda asked. ”That seems an unusual avocation for an aristocrat.”
”Oh, I'm not a doctor, not in the true sense. But I did step in to help after Lady Thalia met with her unfortunate accident yesterday. We were just back from attending a sale at Tattersall's when she stumbled and twisted her ankle. Had her injury been anything more serious than a sprain, I would have called a real physician.”
”Ah, the catcher.” Mathilda shot Thalia a look of reprimand. ”Fletcher indeed.”
”Catcher?” Leo lifted an eyebrow.
”Never mind,” Thalia interrupted. ”Tilly, I thought you needed to be going along. Of course you're welcome to stay if you like-”
”No, no, you're right. I must depart”-Mathilda sent a glance toward the mantel clock-”no matter how tempting it is to remain. A pleasure to have met you, Lord Leopold.”
”And you, Lady Cathcart.”
She went to Thalia and bent over to hug and kiss her good-bye. ”He is divine,” she whispered into Thalia's ear so only she could hear. ”You must tell me everything in immense detail as soon as may be.” She paused. ”And don't forget your promise about the other. I shall be waiting on tenterhooks to hear what you discover.”
”You will know as soon as I do,” she said with a rea.s.suring nod.
Mathilda straightened, smiling past the lines of strain on her face. ”I shall call on you again soon,” she said in her normal voice. ”Do take care and feel better.”
”Not to worry,” Leo said. ”She has orders to do nothing more strenuous than rest and heal. I shall make certain she obeys.”
”My, isn't he forceful?” Mathilda remarked.
Thalia met Leo's eyes. ”You have no idea.”
But he just grinned, as wicked and unrepentant as always.
Chapter 17.
”Lady Cathcart seems quite amiable,” Leo said once the other woman had departed.
He studied Thalia where she reclined on the sofa, noting again how lovely she looked in a dark blue velveteen day dress and a green woolen shawl. She wore slippers on her feet rather than shoes in deference to her sprained ankle.
”Tilly is quite amiable,” Thalia said. ”And kind. She has one of the most generous spirits of any person I have ever known. Which is why I am not angry with you for saying the things you did.”
”Me?” He laid a hand across his chest, at a complete loss. ”What did I do?”
”You told her you have been acting as my doctor. A less considerate and discreet individual than she might put all variety of lurid connotations on that.”
”Only because you have a naughty mind.” Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her lips before she could protest. ”Then again, you may be as naughty with me as you like,” he added, winking.
She gave his arm a swat. ”Stop that.”
”That's not what you said last night.”
”Go sit down.” She pointed toward the chair. ”Fletcher will be along any minute with your tea.”
”As you wish,” he said. ”Before I do, how is your ankle, really?”
”I told you. It is better.”
He moved to the end of the sofa and reached for her skirt hem.
”Leo, don't,” she said with a hushed warning.
”I'm just going to look at your ankle. Nothing else.”
She met his gaze for a long moment, then relented with a nod.
”I'll look at all your other lovely parts tonight.”
”There is not going to be a tonight,” she said.
”We'll see. There are a lot of hours between now and then.” Taking care, he folded her skirt back just enough to expose her ankle. ”It does look better. The swelling is greatly improved.”
She crossed her arms. ”Yes, exactly as I told you. Are you finished?”
”Almost.” With gentle fingers, he probed her bruised flesh. ”Still sore?”
”Yes! Quit touching. It hurts.”
”My apologies. I see you removed the bindings.”
”Yes, for my bath.”
”Well, I'll bind it for you again after we have tea.”
”My maid can bind it.” Leaning over, she tossed her skirts back into place.
”I will bind it,” he said in an implacable tone. ”I want it done correctly.”
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