were our partners at balls and suppers. I myself led a rather solitary life there. Particularly after I became engaged to Felice."
The Earl's admission of fidelity to a woman he barely knew – and that only by letter – disturbed Jacina. Felice must have some strange power over men to have so affected the Earl.
It was a power that she, Jacina, could never imagine possessing.
Doctor Carlton had become very preoccupied of late, particularly since receiving a letter from his friend who was a professor of epidemiology at Edinburgh. When not visiting his patients he shut himself away in his study, scrutinising his medical tomes. He no longer visited the Earl for supper or to play cards.
Jacina was surprised when one morning her father put on his cloak and joined her in the coach that had arrived to take her to the castle.
"I need to speak to the Earl," was all he would tell his daughter.
There was a log fire blazing merrily in the library when they entered. The Earl was astonished when he realised that the doctor had arrived with Jacina. He politely motioned them to be seated.
"You must excuse my intruding on your morning like this," began the doctor. "But dire necessity has driven me here."
Jacina rose. "Do you wish to speak to the Earl alone, Papa?"
"No, no," said the doctor. "What I have to say concerns you."
"Me, Papa?" Jacina sat down again in some alarm.
Doctor Carlton wiped his brow with a handkerchief.
"No doubt you have heard of the recent outbreak of cholera in Edinburgh?" he said to the Earl.
"I have," replied the Earl. "I took comfort in the fact that it was far over the border."
"Oh, I have no fears of it spreading South," said the doctor. "I am, however, very interested in such diseases. My old professor at Edinburgh University has written to me. He would be grateful for my help in controlling this outbreak and I am very inclined to go. My only concern is Jacina."
"But Papa," cried Jacina. "I must go with you!"
Despite her pleasure in being with the Earl, she was convinced that her duty lay in helping her father. A strange look crossed the Earl's features, as he heard her words and he turned his face to the fire for a moment.
Doctor Carlton was shaking his head at his daughter. "No, Jacina, I could not expose you to such a danger."
"But Papa – "
The doctor was firm. "You will not change my mind about this," he said. "I do not wish you to accompany me and equally I do not wish you to remain at home alone."
The Earl turned back from the fire to listen.
The doctor continued. "My purpose in coming to the castle this morning is to request that the Earl take you under his full protection during my absence."
"Do you mean me to – to stay here – at the castle?" stammered Jacina.
"If the Earl so agrees," said her father.
The Earl almost leapt to his feet. "I do indeed agree. It is a capital idea. I – that is Sarah – will be delighted to have more of your daughter's company."
Jacina looked away. She could not hide her disappointment that the Earl had said it was Sarah who would be delighted, not he.
The doctor and the Earl shook hands.
"Rest assured, we will all endeavour to make your daughter feel at home here," smiled the Earl.
"I am eternally grateful for your help," said the doctor.
*
Thus it was settled that Jacina became a permanent guest at Castle Ruven for the duration of her father's absence in Edinburgh. She was desolate saying goodbye to her father. She worried for his safety and at first she missed him terribly. At the same time she could not help but be delighted with her new life at the castle.
Her bedchamber was in one of the towers. The bed was a four-poster, hung with rose coloured silk. She had never slept in such luxury nor been so indulged.
Every morning Nancy would come in to light the fire and draw the curtains before bringing Jacina a tray of hot chocolate and buttery biscuits. While Jacina ate her breakfast Nancy would bring in jugs of hot water to fill
The Earl's admission of fidelity to a woman he barely knew – and that only by letter – disturbed Jacina. Felice must have some strange power over men to have so affected the Earl.
It was a power that she, Jacina, could never imagine possessing.
Doctor Carlton had become very preoccupied of late, particularly since receiving a letter from his friend who was a professor of epidemiology at Edinburgh. When not visiting his patients he shut himself away in his study, scrutinising his medical tomes. He no longer visited the Earl for supper or to play cards.
Jacina was surprised when one morning her father put on his cloak and joined her in the coach that had arrived to take her to the castle.
"I need to speak to the Earl," was all he would tell his daughter.
There was a log fire blazing merrily in the library when they entered. The Earl was astonished when he realised that the doctor had arrived with Jacina. He politely motioned them to be seated.
"You must excuse my intruding on your morning like this," began the doctor. "But dire necessity has driven me here."
Jacina rose. "Do you wish to speak to the Earl alone, Papa?"
"No, no," said the doctor. "What I have to say concerns you."
"Me, Papa?" Jacina sat down again in some alarm.
Doctor Carlton wiped his brow with a handkerchief.
"No doubt you have heard of the recent outbreak of cholera in Edinburgh?" he said to the Earl.
"I have," replied the Earl. "I took comfort in the fact that it was far over the border."
"Oh, I have no fears of it spreading South," said the doctor. "I am, however, very interested in such diseases. My old professor at Edinburgh University has written to me. He would be grateful for my help in controlling this outbreak and I am very inclined to go. My only concern is Jacina."
"But Papa," cried Jacina. "I must go with you!"
Despite her pleasure in being with the Earl, she was convinced that her duty lay in helping her father. A strange look crossed the Earl's features, as he heard her words and he turned his face to the fire for a moment.
Doctor Carlton was shaking his head at his daughter. "No, Jacina, I could not expose you to such a danger."
"But Papa – "
The doctor was firm. "You will not change my mind about this," he said. "I do not wish you to accompany me and equally I do not wish you to remain at home alone."
The Earl turned back from the fire to listen.
The doctor continued. "My purpose in coming to the castle this morning is to request that the Earl take you under his full protection during my absence."
"Do you mean me to – to stay here – at the castle?" stammered Jacina.
"If the Earl so agrees," said her father.
The Earl almost leapt to his feet. "I do indeed agree. It is a capital idea. I – that is Sarah – will be delighted to have more of your daughter's company."
Jacina looked away. She could not hide her disappointment that the Earl had said it was Sarah who would be delighted, not he.
The doctor and the Earl shook hands.
"Rest assured, we will all endeavour to make your daughter feel at home here," smiled the Earl.
"I am eternally grateful for your help," said the doctor.
*
Thus it was settled that Jacina became a permanent guest at Castle Ruven for the duration of her father's absence in Edinburgh. She was desolate saying goodbye to her father. She worried for his safety and at first she missed him terribly. At the same time she could not help but be delighted with her new life at the castle.
Her bedchamber was in one of the towers. The bed was a four-poster, hung with rose coloured silk. She had never slept in such luxury nor been so indulged.
Every morning Nancy would come in to light the fire and draw the curtains before bringing Jacina a tray of hot chocolate and buttery biscuits. While Jacina ate her breakfast Nancy would bring in jugs of hot water to fill
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