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“I understand”
The housekeeper's gaze swept over Madeline Clearly she was trying to decide who Madeline was and exactly how she was acquainted with Mr Scott, but she refrained fro “It was kind of you to accompany Mr Scott from the theater,” the woman remarked
Madeline glanced in the direction they had taken hiht”
“Mr Scott is being made as comfortable as possible until the doctor arrives Would you care to wait in the downstairs parlor?”
“Yes, thank you”
Mrs Beecham led her to a spacious parlor decorated in understated shades of gold and plum, with French ar books of poetry and engravings One as covered with the tapestry of a French landscape Between two floor-to-ceiling s, a long table displayed Oriental figurines
Noticing Madeline's interest in a solden staff, the housekeeper sood fortune, Mr Scott says I couldn't begin to pronounce its name He has others in his collection, all of thes”
“I like this one,” Madeline said, touching the little ertip “I only hope he lives up to his reputation and brings good fortune to Mr Scott”
“Some would say Mr Scott has already enjoyedto the parlor door
Left to her own devices, Madeline wandered to the parlor , staring out at a row of topiaries and a ht, wintry day, and the dorusts of wind
Madeline shivered a little and retreated to an armchair, where she sat and tapped her foot nervously on the thickly carpeted floor Noticing a wooden box on the table next to her, she picked it up curiously The interior of the box was lined in silver, the top carved with the Shakespearean an Scott by the Stratford Corporation”
A voice interrupted her s, and Madeline looked up to see a pair of house a tray of tea “That box was carved from Shakespeare's mulberry tree,” one of theawards an' such, on account of all 'is charity works and benefits”
Madeline s that Scott certainly seemed to have the admiration and affection of his servants
The maid set the tea tray on a low table “Mrs Beecha for one of us whenever you want so”
“Thank you, but I won't require anything Mr Scott's welfare is all that matters”
“Dr Brooke is co soon 'E'll 'ave the master back in the pink in no time”
“I hope so,” Madeline replied, picking up an e with the delicate handle She glanced at the door, wondering when the doctor would arrive and how long it would take him to issue a pronouncement on Scott's condition
Theto each other as soon as they crossed the threshold Madeline couldn't help but overhear a snippet of their conversation “Do you think she's the latest?…”
“Nay”
“She's pretty enow”
“Aye, but she's only a spring lamb…not 'is sort at all”
Madeline frowned and set down the empty cup She rose from the chair and paced around the room The reference to her youth annoyed her profoundly Suddenly aware of the straggling locks of hair that had slipped frohed No doubt she looked like an untidy child who had been ro out-of-doors
Wandering to the gilded doors at the other end of the parlor, Madeline discovered that they opened into aroom with a floor patterned in inlaid wood There were art treasures everywhere: portraits and landscapes, marble statues, works of pottery and porcelain
As Madeline toured the elegant rooms, she sensed that Scott had chosen the decor and the art himself It was all a reflection of what he admired and wanted to be He fascinated her Madeline wanted to know hihts…to be some small part of the world he had created for himself But he haddesolate, she made her way back to theScott The household was strangely quiet, as if the staff was holding its collective breath
“Is there so from a chair near the staircase
“Yes” Madeline approached the marble steps, half-afraid that he would stop her fro “I would like to knohere Mr Scott's room is located”
The butler was expressionless, but Madeline sensed his inner consternation She knew that he and the servants were unclear about her relationship with Scott, whether she was merely an employee like themselves, or perhaps his latest paramour
“The doctor is with him, miss,” the butler said carefully “If the parlor isn't to your liking, perhaps there is another place you would prefer to wait—”
“I would prefer to go to his roo the crisp tone she had always heard her mother use with the servants
“Yes, Miss Ridley,” ca for a footman and instructed the servant to show her to Scott's private roo
The hall was illuht on four alcoves filled with statues, including one of a nude feh an arch of gleaany, she entered a distinctly , a set of antique Gers underfoot
The footht her to a closed door, where Mrs Beecha for any iteht be requested
Mrs Beecham's brows lifted as she saw Madeline “Miss Ridley…didn't you find the parlor comfortable?”
“I wanted to find out if there has been any word yet”