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travel.
    “Miss Cantrell, I am so glad to see you up and about,” a feminine voice said from behind her.
    Leah turned to see the pregnant woman who had helped her the day before.  Today she wore a different dress, though one much like yesterday’s costume.  The flower-specked white skirt section started just below her breasts, curving over her protruding abdomen and falling straight down to the floor.  A sheer vest-like overdress covered the whole outfit for an effect of casual elegance.
    “I am Lady Solebury,” she said, dropping a little curtsy.  “I daresay you may not recall our meeting yesterday.”
    “I . . . I remember a little.”  Gathering that she faced the marchioness David Traymore had mentioned, Leah found herself offering an awkward imitation of her hostess’s gesture.  “I’m sorry if I’m not greeting you correctly.  I’m an American and not used to addressing nobility.”
    Lady Solebury smiled.  “And I am not entirely accustomed to being addressed as such, having married Solebury less than a year ago.  Before that, I was plain Miss Sheffield.  But you did very well, especially considering the ordeal you have been through.  I hope you feel somewhat more yourself today?”
    “Yes, somewhat, thank you.  I . . . I’m very sorry to be such an inconvenience.  I can’t believe I fell asleep on your couch--and for the whole night, too.”
    The marchioness looked down at her feet, which peeked out under her gown in shoes resembling ballet slippers.  “I fear I had something to do with your fatigue.  I put a little laudanum in your tea to calm you, but I must have given you too much.  I do apologize and hope you can pardon me.”
    “Oh . . . sure,” Leah said, stunned to hear the drug had been laudanum.  Wasn’t that some sort of old-fashioned opiate?  She guessed that in England they might still have drugs outmoded in the U.S.--but opiates?  Maybe they used the name laudanum for some modern alternative.  In any case, whatever she’d been given had knocked her for a loop.
    “I’ve had a chamber made up for you,” her hostess said with a shy smile.  “I would have moved you into a proper bedroom earlier, but I loathed to disturb your sleep.  I hope you are not in such a hurry to leave that you won’t allow me to show you a bit of hospitality.  My maid has laid out some clothing for you to borrow, and I thought you might like a bath drawn and something to eat.”
    Surprised by the woman’s extraordinary kindness, she took a moment to think about whether she should accept or try to get back to London immediately.  Jeanine would be worried, but she
    could call her and explain what had happened at the spring.  Considering the tricks her mind had been playing on her, staying put for awhile seemed the sensible thing to do.
    Before she could answer, the weight of a lingering gaze drew her attention toward the door to the hall.  Her devilish-looking rescuer, David Traymore, stood in the doorway, appraising her with fathomless black eyes.  The intensity of his stare made her breath come quicker.
    Following the path of her gaze, Lady Solebury spotted him, too.  “David, I’m glad you looked in on us.  As you can see, Miss Cantrell is feeling better.”
    He bowed stiffly, his expression mask-like.  “I’m pleased to hear it.”
    Oh, he’s a cold one , Leah thought, even though he had saved her from drowning and brought her up to the manor house to recover.  Then she remembered the tender play between him and his horse, and her opinion softened.  Not cold, she amended, but very guarded.
    “Miss Cantrell, do you remember my stepson?” Lady Solebury asked.  “Mr. Traymore.”
    “Yes, of course.”  She recalled her new English manners and dipped an amateur curtsy.  “Thank you again for rescuing me.”
    He nodded but let out a snort of laughter.  “Pleased to be of service.  The role of hero is such a novelty.”
    “Indeed?” Lady Solebury shot back at him,