Read Carisbrooke Abbey for Free Online

to be restrained, fastening him into a chair and leaving him there seems to me to be barbaric.’
    ‘And yet there are some people who say that that is how we should treat the mad. Lock them away. Tie them up. Beat them into insensibility,’ he growled.
    ‘It is appalling, and besides, it doesn’t work,’ she said. ‘The poor creatures in Bedlam rarely show any signs of improvement, and if they do, it is despite their treatment, rather than because of it. Besides, the king has always recovered from his malady in the past with or without the help - if it can be called help - of doctors. So of what use were the beatings?’
    Lord Carisbrooke’s eyes were grim. ‘What indeed?’
    ‘What is the word at court?’ asked Hilary, turning back to Mr Ulverstone. ‘Is it believed he will recover?’
    ‘It is hoped so. But, as usual, it is impossible to be sure.’
    ‘There is talk of a Regency,’ said Hilary. ‘Prince George is healthy and would be able to rule in his father’s stead, until the king recovers.’
    ‘It might come to that. The Prince of Wales would certainly like it to happen. He has been waiting in the wings for long enough. But even if he becomes Regent, will things be any better? There are those who say Prince George is afflicted with the same madness, though in a less severe form. That is perhaps the greatest tragedy, that such an affliction is hereditary.’
    ‘A fine choice of conversation for the dinner table,’ rumbled Lord Carisbrooke. He had been growing increasingly irascible throughout the conversation, and his ill humour had now broken out with full force. ‘Miss Wentworth does not wish to talk about such a grim subject, I am sure.’
    Hilary almost dropped her spoon in surprise at this sudden concern for her likes and dislikes! Really, Lord Carisbrooke was a most surprising man.
    Even more surprising was the fact that Mr Ulverstone seemed unperturbed by his cousin’s sudden outburst. In fact, he seemed almost to have been expecting it. ‘To be sure,’ he replied, ‘there are other things to talk about.’
    There was a lull in the conversation and they turned their attention to finishing their soup.
    Once it was finished, Hilary lay down her spoon and took a deep breath. This was her opportunity ask the question she had been longing to ask all evening.
    ‘You live in London,’ she said to Mr Ulverstone, ‘and your acquaintance must be large. I was wondering whether you might know of anyone in need of governess, or perhaps a companion?’
    ‘Unfortunately not,’ he said ruefully. ‘I don’t usually hear of such positions - they fall into the province of ladies, you understand. But I will certainly make enquiries as soon as I return to the capital, and if you give me your direction I will write to you as soon as I hear of anything.’
    ‘Thank you. You are very kind.’
    ‘Not at all,’ said Mr Ulverstone amiably. ‘It is no trouble. You are returning home tomorrow, I take it?’
    ‘I am.’
    ‘Then you must let me take you up in my carriage. You live in Derbyshire, I believe, and it is on my way. My equipage is a comfortable one, and I am persuaded it will make your journey easier than travelling on the stage.’
    ‘That is very kind of you, but I shall not be going home straight away. However, I would value a ride in your carriage as far as the rectory.’
    He looked surprised.
    ‘I mean to ask the rector if he knows of any vacant positions in the neighbourhood,’ she explained. ‘Now that I am here, I might as well see if there are any suitable places.’
    For a moment she thought she saw a look of annoyance cross his face, but it was quickly banished and he replied charmingly, ‘Of course. Very sensible.’
    She must have imagined it, she told herself. There was no reason why Mr Ulverstone should be annoyed at the idea of her seeking employment in the neighbourhood. It was most probably that he was annoyed with his cousin for refusing to employ her, and thereby making