“My sister-in-law is ill,” I said, addressing the Duke, “it would distress her if a stranger were to go in suddenly.”
“I understand perfectly, Madam,” he said coldly, and made as if to take his leave.
“Stop,” said Ted, purple in the face. “My wife is unwell. She is overtired, but she is the kindest, most tender-hearted woman in the world. It would cut her to the heart if she found out afterwards she had prevented your Grace’s seeing this room for the last time. Wait one moment, while I go in and explain it to her, and help her to walk a few steps to the settle here.”
And Ted, with a furious glance at me, pushed past me, and went into the room.
“It would be a great kindness to my sister, who is very nervous,” I said to the Duke, “if you would wait a moment in the garden.”
He instantly went towards the open door into the garden. Then I darted after Ted. Between us we would hurry Essie into one of the many other rooms that opened into the hall.
She was standing by the window frantically endeavouring to break the lattice of the central casement, which was a little larger than the others.
There was blood on her hand.
Ted was speaking, but she cut him short.