Read Online The House of Happiness by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online

in that carriage. Her mother would be safe and sound, instead of lying unconscious in her bed upstairs.
    People had flocked to help after the accident. The footman, the coachman and another gentleman had carried Mrs. Dovedale back into the carriage. The carriage was not too badly damaged and was able to convey the injured woman and her daughter home to Craven Hill. The coachman had then driven on to inform the Marquis that his guests would not be arriving after all.
    Bridget had been sent to fetch the doctor.
    Doctor Parfitt had been with Mrs. Dovedale for over half an hour.  His footsteps were audible as he moved about the room upstairs.
    Great-Aunt Cloris raised her eyes to the ceiling.
    â€œThat doctor has a heavy tread,” she grumbled. “A heavy fee, too, I shouldn’t wonder.” 
    Eugenia lowered her head.
    There was silence for a while, broken only by the snap of a log in the fireplace or the step of the doctor in the room above. Outside in the street came the sound of a carriage drawing up but neither Eugenia nor Great-Aunt Cloris stirred. Only when the door bell rang did they look up.
    â€œA visitor at this hour?” Great-Aunt Cloris frowned.
    Bridget’s light footsteps sounded in the hallway. They heard the opening of the street door, muffled voices and then steps approaching the drawing room door.
    â€œThe Marquis of Buckbury,” Bridget announced grandly.
    Eugenia rose in confusion as the Marquis strode forward, pulling off his long gloves.  Raindrops glistened in his hair and the collar of his dark cape was damp.
    â€œYou – you have left the ball before it was hardly begun, my Lord?” Eugenia murmured.
    â€œDid you really think I could simply dance the night away after hearing the terrible news?” The Marquis shook his head wonderingly before turning to address Great-Aunt Cloris. “I have taken the liberty, ma’am, of ordering straw to be laid outside your house that the invalid might not be disturbed by the sound of traffic.”
    â€œHow kind of you to think of such a thing, my Lord.” She signalled to Bridget, who stood gaping at the door. “Bridget, take our visitor’s cape to dry.  Then be so good as to bring us some tea.”
    Eugenia meanwhile bestirred herself to bring a chair to the fire for the Marquis.
    â€œThe doctor is with Mrs. Dovedale now?” he enquired.
    â€œThis last half hour,” replied Great-Aunt Cloris.  “We await his prognosis – with great trepidation, as you might imagine. My niece was as cold as a waxwork when they brought her home. She has not opened her eyes nor uttered a word since.”
    The Marquis listened with concern. He then turned to Eugenia.
    â€œYou were not in any way – injured yourself, Miss Dovedale?”
    â€œNot at all.” Eugenia’s voice trembled.  “But Mama – poor Mama!
    She turned away to stifle a sob. Only Great-Aunt Cloris registered the look of relief that crossed the Marquis’s features at this admission that Eugenia was unharmed. He stood for a moment regarding her bowed head and then placed his hand gently on her arm.
    â€œEverything that can possibly be done for your mother will be done, Miss Dovedale,” he assured her.
    Great-Aunt Cloris looked alarmed. “We have to hope that Mrs. Dovedale’s injuries are not grave.  She might be my own flesh and blood, but I cannot afford to pay in perpetuity for the services of a doctor.  My husband’s money was in Indian cotton, my Lord, and the market is not as healthy as it once was.”
    â€œGreat-Aunt Cloris – please do not fret yourself,” said Eugenia in a low voice. “I will pay for the doctor if – if Mama – is badly injured. I will find work somewhere.”
    She snorted. “What work could a young girl like you possibly do?”
    Eugenia reddened, conscious of the presence of the Marquis.
    â€œI could be a seamstress.