Once Upon a Castle - Jill Gregory [82]
The stairs were steep, the distance to the landing far too perilous. Though the fall might not be fatal, it would surely result in some broken bones and a great deal of pain. With those thoughts rushing through her mind, Felicity struggled to bring her hands up to her face to cushion the blow. But just before she would have fallen on the landing below, she felt strong hands wrap around her waist. Heat enveloped her. She was set gently on her feet. Then, as quickly as it came, the heat was gone.
Felicity followed along the hallway toward the hum of voices. When she paused at the doorway to the parlor, the babble ceased. All heads turned toward her.
“Here she is now.” Ian St. John was standing beside the fireplace, one hand on the mantel, a crystal goblet of ale in the other. He looked relaxed, content. The words Gareth had spoken earlier came to mind: “Lord of the manor.” The doctor looked perfectly at home here at Falcon’s Lair.
“You’ve kept us waiting. Come and meet our guests.” Honora crossed the room in a swirl of petticoats and studied Felicity.
Thanks to a stop at her room, Felicity showed no trace of nerves. She had carefully brushed her hair and calmed her racing heartbeat before facing the others. Now, as she looked around, she wondered if someone present was the guilty party.
“Miss Felicity Andrews, may I present Lord and Lady Summerville and their daughter, Diana.”
Felicity offered her hand, which Lord Summerville gallantly kissed. His neatly trimmed hair and mustache were shot with silver. Though his middle had begun to thicken, he still had the proud bearing of a military man.
His plump wife wore a pink confection that was far too girlish for her figure. The neckline was enhanced by a diamond-and-pearl necklace that was worth a king’s ransom. Her smile was warm and genuine. “Welcome to England, my dear.”
“Thank you.” Felicity turned to the Summervilles’ daughter. “Diana, I’m delighted to meet you. I do hope we can be friends.”
“I’d like that.” Diana clasped her hand. Like her mother, she gave Felicity a welcoming smile.
“I understand you are old friends of Lord Falcon,” Felicity remarked.
“Oh, yes.” Lord Summerville nodded vigorously. “Oliver and I grew up on neighboring estates and went off to Oxford together. Muriel and I were in India and stood up at his wedding. We grieved with him when his beloved Catherine passed away two years ago.”
“He’s had a great deal of grief in his life, hasn’t he?” Felicity asked.
She saw Diana’s eyes fill as she looked away.
“Enough of this maudlin talk.” Honora signaled for a serving girl and helped herself to a glass of wine. Her tone left little doubt that she was annoyed at the direction of the conversation. “What kept you, Felicity? Did Bean do something clumsy again?”
Again? Was she being spied upon? “Bean was most helpful. I’m late because I stopped by Lord Falcon’s room for a visit.”
“How is my old friend?” Lord Summerville accepted a drink from the servant’s tray.
“He seems quite frail tonight. But he did manage to talk for a while. I think it brought him a measure of comfort.”
“Talk? You encouraged him to talk?” Honora’s eyes flashed. “I simply must insist that you refrain from visiting my father-in-law unless you first check with me.” Seeing the look of surprise on the faces of her guests, Honora added quickly, “As mistress of Falcon’s Lair, I am responsible for William’s father.” She shot a glance at the doctor. “Don’t you agree, Ian?”
“Quite.” He set his empty goblet on the tray with a clatter. “The old man is too ill to have visitors dropping by at all hours. It’s far too draining. I’ve suggested to Honora that even Simmons should be restricted to one or two visits a day.”
“That seems heartless,” Diana cried.
Everyone turned to look at her.
With her cheeks burning, she added, “It would tear Simmons apart to be denied access to Lord Falcon. You said yourself, Father, that the two have been inseparable since they were lads.”
“Indeed. Simmons was groomed for