Her body insisted that she close her eyes again, but she’d had enough of oblivion. Grimly, she rested her weight on her elbows and pushed up. She had managed to prop herself against the headboard when the door opened and someone entered.
“Oh, my dear! You are recovered at last!”
Eden had met Rushborough’s sister many times and was grateful she need not stand on formality. Under the circumstances, it would have been ridiculous to try. She was by no means recovered, and remaining civil and courteous would require all her efforts.
“Lady Saville,” she said, clenching her teeth at the pounding in her head. “I am sorry that I cannot rise to greet you.”
“Tut, tut. As if I would expect it! You remain where you are, and I will have food and drink sent to you at once. If you believe you can eat now? You have gone days without a bite! As I told Rushborough—”
“I beg your pardon,” Eden interrupted, “but I do not even know how I got here, or what day it is.”
“My word, of course you do not! You were quite insensible to the world.” Lady Saville availed herself of the chair and leaned forward with earnest solicitude, ample bosom straining the bodice of her satin gown. “We were so very worried about you, my dear. Your abigail and coachman conveyed you all the way from Westmorland, at your father’s request… Lord Bradwell! I had heard rumors that he was dead. Oh, I am so sorry, my dear. I am quite beside myself. Apparently you were ill during the entire journey, and of course we did what we could for you, but the doctor was quite—”
“I am grateful for your kind attention to my welfare, Lady Saville, but—”
“Rushborough came to visit every day, but you did not know him. You did not know anyone. That quack of a doctor insisted that you appeared to have taken laudanum. Can you imagine such flummery?”
Laudanum. Eden nearly bit through her lower lip. “How long have I been here?”
“You came to us three days ago. Your father left you a letter. It is here somewhere in the room—” She popped up and bustled to the escritoire, opening drawers. “Ah, here it is! Shall I read it to you, Lady Eden?”
Given the nature of her conversation with Lord Bradwell, Eden dared not risk Lady Saville discovering such a letter’s contents. Her father did not know that she claimed Donal as her uncle’s grandson and not her own child.
“If you will permit me, I will read it myself,” Eden said with an apologetic smile.
Unsuccessfully hiding her disappointment, Lady Saville passed her the letter. It was still sealed. Breathing a sigh of relief, Eden waited until her hostess had stepped away. Eden opened the letter. A thin strip of sunlight between the curtains provided the only illumination, just enough for her to discern the hastily scrawled words.
Dear Daughter,
I pray that this missive finds you in better health than when we parted. Since you were no longer able to give instruction to your servants, I have ordered Dalziel to drive you and your abigail directly to Lady Saville’s, with a note to her of your condition and a request for your care.
I go now to find your aunt and the boy. I will bring Donal to London and send him to you at Lady Saville’s as soon as we arrive, no later than the last day of this month.
Have no fear, Daughter. You will soon be reunited with your family.
Bradwell
Eden set down the letter and leaned back her head. Bless Lord Bradwell. He had been discreet, in case the letter fell into the wrong hands. He was wiser now than he had been. Than she had been.
And had she any choice, now, but to trust him? Tomorrow was the day he had promised to bring Donal. If ever she had needed faith in another person—and in Providence—it was now.
But oh, how difficult it was not to fling herself from bed and dash madly in any and all directions.
“It is good news, I hope?” Lady Saville asked.