WHEN THE CARRAIGE stopped, he stepped out, not waiting for the groomsman to open the door. Climbing the steps of the townhouse, he rapped on the door, and seconds later a butler answered.
"The Duke of Lennox, for Countess Westmorland." he announced before the butler could ask him for a calling card.
"Is her ladyship expecting you, Your Grace?"
James shrugged his shoulders, "No, I do not believe so. However, I do have information that she will find very pertinent, and my time is extremely limited." He pulled out his pocket watch, "Please ensure your mistress comes to speak to me in the next two minutes. I'll lead myself into the parlour. There is no need for refreshments to be sent, I won't be staying long."
The butler was well trained. The only sign of his obvious displeasure was the slight downturn of his lips. James brushed past him and began walking towards the parlour. While it was his first time in Westmorland's home, he didn't need a maid to tell him where he should go. Most London homes on the street were similarly fashioned and he'd visited a few before.
He arrived in the parlour, noting the mute grey colours of the place. He did not bother sitting on any of the furniture. James was sure he'd made his wishes clear to the butler. Lady Westmorland would join him soon enough.
"Your Grace," a stiff voice said from the doorway, as she curtsied.
"Lady Westmorland," he greeted back, bowing slightly.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company? Lord Westmorland is not home now."
James ran his fingers through his dark hair uneasily at her words. It seemed that nobody had informed the lady about the departure of her husband, and the task would now fall onto him. His mouth tightened at the unpleasant words about to come out.
"It may be best for you to take a seat before we begin," he stated, waving an arm over the settee.
Vivienne's aunt walked past him briskly before sitting down. Her bright yellow dress nearly blinded his gaze, but he kept it fixed on her dark eyes. Taking a seat across from her, James sighed, "I do not know how to tell you this Lady Westmorland, but Lord Westmorland has passed away."
He saw various emotions flutter over her face, shock, disbelief, and then denial settled in. She shook her head lips thinning, "No, it cannot be. He was merely dropping Selina at the docks. He must have had other business that has delayed his homecoming..."
James cleared his throat, reaching for his cravat uncomfortably. He spoke in the broadest of terms. They had yet to recover the earl's body and even though Wellington seemed to suggest his people would try, James did not think they would be successful. "Regrettably, there was an incident at the London docks and the earl was an unfortunate casualty."
He saw Lady Westmorland's eyes narrow. "This is all because of that chit, isn't it? I always knew she was a good for nothing wrench. Trouble seemed to follow her at every moment. I told him not to take her in, that she would destroy our family, and she did!"
Anger welled up in his chest and the words were out before he could consider being a bit more compassionate for her loss. "This is not because of Lady Vivienne," he said coolly. "I will not listen to you slander her for a second more. I did not wish to share this information with you earlier, but it seems that nothing will appease you. This situation is solely because your husband was a traitorous army solider who got himself involved with French spies who ultimately delivered their promise of death to him."
Lady Westmorland's face whitened. "That is not possible."
James stood up, flicking the lint off his coat undisturbed by her expressions. "It is. The Duke of Wellington and His Majesty have agreed to keep his betrayal out of the papers. However, it will do you good to remember that if you open your mouth, not only will you be the laughingstock of society, but your son as well. I simply wanted to inform you that Lady Vivienne was residing in my house as her injuries were severe, but it seems as though you did not hold her in any high regard."
"I will not welcome her back into this house," Lady Westmorland warned, turning up her nose. "She can live in the streets or a whorehouse for all I care."
"I would never let her return to such a cold and unloving place," James said tightly. He grabbed his hat, placing it over his head. He was tired of conversing with the earl's widow. He could only imagine how callous and cold she had been to Vivienne during her stay. "My condolences for your loss. The earl's solicitors will be in touch about the inheritance of the earldom to your son. Now, I bid you good day Lady Westmorland. It is my sincere hope that our paths never cross again. And if they do, it would be wise to watch your tongue when speaking about Lady Vivienne ever again."
With the threatening note in the air, James let himself out of the wretched place.
***
James passed his hat and coat to Preston, "Has the physician arrived yet?"
"Yes, Your Grace, he is upstairs—"
"Good," James said before walking towards the banister. He turned towards his butler. "Ensure that Lady Vivienne's trunks are returned here. She will no longer be residing at the Westmorland house."
"Very well Your Grace, but I wanted—"
Preston's voice drowned out before James could hear what the man had to say. He was already at the top landing floor, and Ballard was just exiting Vivienne's chambers.
"How is she?" he asked the physician.
Ballard gave him a tired look. "She appears to be on the mend. Lady Vivienne lost quite a bit of blood, but I stitched up the wound and it does not seem to be infected which is a good sign."
James opened his mouth, but Ballard cut in before he could finish. "Before you ask why she has not woken up yet Your Grace, I cannot give you the answer. Perhaps her body needs a few more days to recuperate."
"But she will wake up, won't she?" James pressed on. "She was unconscious when I first found her outside my manor, and yet she awoke."
The physician gave him a careful look. "As much as I would like to be certain and wish that outcome, I cannot give you a definitive answer. Her injuries this time were much worse. Blunt force trauma in multiple places and there seems to be a fracture in her leg. The swim in the ocean did not help matters either. I am sorry Your Grace, but this can go either way. I've seen some patients wake up, and others who remain in their slumber for years until they pass on."
James clenched his fingers. No, she could not die and leave him here alone. James would coax the life out of Vivienne if he had too. She needed to live, his life was a mere shade of grey and she brought in her bold colours to light it up. He would not live without her. The door opened behind them, and James was shocked to see Aunt Esme walking out with her cane.
"I do hope you are not badgering the good doctor James," the dowager Countess of Torrington reprimanded him.
"That would never be me," he responded wryly before walking up to her and kissing her peppered cheek, "What are you doing here?"
Aunt Esme let out a small humph. "I wanted to see for my own eyes how Vivienne was."
"And how did you find out about her condition?" he asked in bewilderment.
His aunt gave him a prolonged stare. "As if I would not know the comings of this household and everyone in it."
James narrowed his eyes as the pieces connected. "Which one of my servants do I need to sack?"
"I would never tell you that my dear but do know that I have eyes everywhere."
James was annoyed but also oddly comforted that his aunt cared enough to look out for him. She would never share the information or source, so he decided to let the matter go. There was a cough and James spun around to face the doctor.
"If I may take my leave now, Your Grace? There are other patients that require my services."
James opened his mouth, but his aunt cut in before he had the chance to reply. "Yes, we wouldn't want to keep you any longer. Thank you for everything Ballard."
Ballard gave them a nod before facing James once again. "I've given more medical instructions to Miss. Agatha. If the situation changes, do send me a missive."
"Thank you," James echoed. "I heard you did much for me yesterday as well."
"It is only my duty, Your Grace. I am glad to see that you have made quite a speedy recovery."
James kept his mouth shut, unwilling to tell Ballard that he still felt weak and was prone to the occasional dizziness. He did not need the man prodding him anymore then he already had. "Preston will settle the fees with you before you head out."
"Very well."
They both watched the physician leave. His aunt's gaze seemed to fix on him as he walked towards Vivienne's room. He pulled open the door, his face shuttering upon seeing Vivienne on the bed, as helpless as before. A warm hand touched his and James looked beside him.
"She will wake up," his aunt said with determination. "We just have to believe in her."
James nodded, holding onto his aunt's words close to his chest. They would believe in her, after all Vivienne had done the same for him many times in the past. He was only returning the favour.
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Since i'm rushing to finish the story in time to enter the Wattys, here is another chapter! While many of you guessed that James was getting a special license, what do you think about the showdown between James and Lady Westmorland? Does anyone feel bad for her?