Love for Lucinda by Gayle Buck Page B

putting yourself to so much trouble.”
    “Nonsense. You know that I am entertained by a good novel as well as the next person. I have no doubt whatever that I shall enjoy perusing the shelves. As for these other items, I shall merely add them to my own list. Now I shall leave you to rest, Tibby,” said Lucinda cheerfully, moving away from the bed and carrying the books and the sample of embroidery yam.
    The maid opened the bedroom door. Lucinda paused before exiting, saying quietly, “I wish to be informed at once if she takes a turn for the worse.”
    “Yes, m’lady. I shall watch her very close,” promised the maid.
    Lucinda went on to her own room, intending to change into attire more appropriate to a shopping trip. Her fine brows were drawn in a slight frown. She had never known her former governess to be taken ill, and it came as a surprise to discover that Miss Blythe was not the invulnerable personage that she had always thought her.
    For the first time Lucinda realized that her dear Miss Blythe was becoming older. What did a woman who had been a governess all of her life do once she became too old or too infirm to hold a position? More to the point, what would she do once she no longer needed Miss Blythe as her chaperone and companion? Certainly Lucinda did not want to thrust Miss Blythe into the awkward situation of having to find another post.
    Miss Blythe was enjoying everything about living in London so much. It seemed cruel to think of letting her go back to her former occupation when it offered so few of the amenities of life. There must be some way of providing indefinitely for Miss Blythe. However, Lucinda had the good sense to know that that lady would reject outright charity. There seemed no perfect or easy solution. It was something to keep at the back of her mind and puzzle over until she could come up with a satisfactory answer.
    Lucinda went into her bedroom. When her dresser learned that Lucinda was intending to go out, she instantly offered to accompany her mistress.
    Lucinda declined her maid’s services. “I have given you the day off, Madison. I would not dream of depriving you of it now.”
    “But my lady, you’ll need someone to carry your parcels,” said Madison as she did up the buttons of her mistress’s walking dress.
    “John Coachman is well able to do that, Madison, for I do not anticipate many purchases. I shan’t be out long, so you mustn’t fret,” said Lucinda, sliding her arms into the sleeves of a warm pelisse and buttoning it. She settled a velvet bonnet on her head and tied the ribbons.
    “It isn’t proper for you to be out alone, my lady,” said Madison disapprovingly, handing a pair of soft kid gloves to her mistress.
    Lucinda laughed, turning away from the mirror and pulling on her gloves. “Now you sound like Miss Blythe. This morning I am a creature of impropriety, it seems.”
    “Miss Blythe is a lady of uncommon sense who knows what is due you, my lady,” said Madison repressively.
    “Are you saying that I want for sense, Madison?” asked Lucinda provokingly. But the dresser only sniffed, refusing to rise to the bait. Lucinda smiled as she left the bedroom.
    Attired in a fashionable bonnet and pelisse, shod in half-kid boots, and carrying a warm muff and her reticule, Lucinda stepped out the front door. She had ordered the carriage brought around, and now she descended the front steps to meet it. A footman followed her, carrying the books and the yarn that she had carried out of Miss Blythe’s bedroom.
    The coachman stood waiting beside the door, waiting to hand her up into the carriage. Lucinda paused to give him the first destination. He nodded, then glanced up at the town house. “Shall I wait for your maid, my lady?”
    Lucinda shook her head. “I will be alone today. I rely upon you to take care of me, John.”
    “Very good, my lady.”
    Lucinda got into the carriage. The footman placed the books and yarn on the opposite seat. The door was