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hurt but nothing more. I assumed he was perfectly well since the surgeon was not called for.”
    â€œI cared for his lordship, as is my duty as wise woman. Now, I would like to dress so I might get some air.”
    The housekeeper nodded sharply. “Very well. I suppose you deserve a little air since you saved his lordship’s life. I shall have something brought up to you immediately, Miss Featherstone.” She turned to leave and then stopped. “He is all right, then?”
    â€œYes, Mrs. Abbott. Lord Middleton should be fine, but he needs rest right now.”
    â€œThank you, miss. He is a fine master.”
    Tia wondered about that as the housekeeper left the room. The former lordship had been a hard man. She’d only met him a few times and then he’d been curt with her. Perhaps Middleton, even with his rakish demeanor, treated the staff better than the previous viscount. She was glad that the tenants had a more compassionate landholder.
    Her only priority was finding Jonathon before it was too late. Every day he was gone increased her concern for his well-being. The things he’d told her frightened and worried her. She needed to get him back under the physician’s care until he had completely recovered from his issue.
    Mrs. Abbott entered the room without even a knock and then handed her a dress. “This will have to do. Mr. Nelson informed me that the dressmaker was set to arrive at noon. Make certain you are back to the house before then.”
    â€œI will do just that,” Tia said softly. Unless she found Jonathon.
    She dressed quickly and then ate breakfast. She needed to leave the house before Middleton awoke and wondered where she was this morning. Hopefully, the laudanum would make him sleep longer and deeper so she could escape. She pushed away the tray and stood, only to discover yet another issue. While Mrs. Abbott had brought her clothing to wear, Tia’s boots were still at the inn.
    â€œDrat it.” Now she would have to beg for Mrs. Abbott’s help again. She doubted the cantankerous housekeeper would allow her too many favors. She rang the bell and waited fretfully. Footsteps sounded closer to her door. Please let it be Mrs. Abbott and not Middleton .
    â€œCome in,” Tia responded after a light knock. After last night, it was unlikely that Middleton would rap on the door.
    â€œWhat do you need now?” Mrs. Abbott said as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I have a house to run.”
    â€œI need shoes,” Tia replied, staring at her feet.
    â€œYour boots are in the linen press.”
    â€œThey are?” She walked to the linen press and found her short boots on the bottom. “How did they get here?” She hadn’t thought to question how her bag of herbs ended up in Middleton’s room last night.
    â€œA footman returned last night to the inn and gathered the rest of your things.”
    Tia frowned. “Then where are the rest of my dresses?” she asked, but knew the answer—burned.
    Mrs. Abbott nodded as if she understood what Tia was thinking. “I saw no reason to waste a perfectly acceptable pair of boots. No matter what his lordship said.”
    â€œThank you, Mrs. Abbott.”
    Mrs. Abbott frowned and then nodded sharply. “Is that all?”
    â€œIs his lordship awake yet?”
    â€œNo, why?”
    â€œI wished to walk to the park for some air. If the viscount were awake, I would need to check on his condition before I departed. That is all,” Tia said in an innocent tone. The housekeeper didn’t need to know Tia would prefer to check his wound while he slept, so as to avoid another confrontation with him.
    â€œYou are free to walk. Do you need a maid with you?”
    â€œI am fine. You need the maids helping you out around the house, not following behind me.”
    â€œYou are quite right, miss,” Mrs. Abbott replied.
    â€œOnce I check in on him, I am off to