Drumfred

The Discovery

A servant came into the lounge and handed Dutchess a black lined note on a plate. She made a face. "Is everything alright Aunt?" Wilhelmina asked.
"I think I will retire now."
"I'll help you down the stairs" said Wilhelmina. "No." Said Dutchess sharply. "I want Lord Alfred."
"Oh."
Lord Alfred smiled charmingly and lead Dutchess outside. He made a remark intended to make Dutchess smile but she frowned. "What ever is the matter?" Asked Lord Alfred, still smiling. She handed him the note. "I may be old but I'm not blind." Said Dutchess, not unkindly, to Lord Alfred. "I know what he meant to you."
Alfred's face dropped. "Deep breaths, deep breaths" she instructed him. "He's dead?" He asked with great difficulty. "No." Replied Dutchess carefully "No, he's not dead. He's in hospital." Alfred looked up hopefully. "But they say he's only got five days to live." Dutchess patted him on the arm. "I'm not certain you will be able to see him... alone."
"I'll go today." Alfred declared. He turned to leave. "Alfred," he stopped. "Remember the people expected to be most unsettled are his mother and fiancé." Dutchess gave him a warning look.