“If you promise not to snap my head off if I do.”
She waved her hand, “You are being overly dramatic, dearest.”
She began her narration by going into agonizing detail about how she met Chilton at the booking office and how they then took the clipper to the port city of Cogo which is in the middle of the west coast of Africa.
“It seemed to us to be a good entry point into the heart of Africa. We wanted to experience our adventures to the fullest, so we hired a guide to lead us into the interior.”
“Hatuani,” Chilton added. “The guide’s name.”
“Yes. And we thought some sort of a hunt would be amusing, so we headed to this place they call a savannah where all of these delightful creatures roam. I was hoping for a tiger or a lion. We spent several days scouting for some, but we came up empty. We had decided to head up river thinking there might be a better selection, but just as the native bearers were packing up the campsite— much to our surprise— we were charged by this enormous beast with the most obscene protuberance on the front of its face. Just imagine… What was it called?” She turned to Chilton.
“A rhinoceros.”
“Exactly. I have never actually been up a tree before, but you cannot imagine how quickly one can learn to climb when it is necessary. It was quite dreadful when this thing then proceeded to butt the tree with his head. No doubt hoping to dislodge us from the treetop. But finally, it seemed to give up and quite casually wandered away.”
Chilton put his hand up, “I think it was your piercing screams that saved the day. Neither man nor beast could bear to hear that for very long.”
She scowled at him but said, “In any case, my taste for hunting had diminished by that point and we decided a less thrilling adventure might suit us better.”
“So, there are to be no hunting trophies for above your mantel?” Harry asked, seemingly amused.
“I believe we acquired a couple of spears and a shield. I was thinking crossed spears behind the shield would look quite nice. Very chic at my next social function.”
“And is there more?” Maria asked.
“There was our Tinkisso Falls adventure,” Chilton suggested.
“Oh, yet that. However, I am ashamed to say, that did not go too well, did it?”
“We neglected to take Hatuani with us on what we thought would be a leisurely excursion in a canoe,” Chilton said. “However, we ran into an inconvenience.”
“It was certainly more than that!” Agatha insisted, and she related their paddling down the river until they realized their boat was headed into an unexpected descent—over a waterfall.
“But obviously, you made it out alive,” Maria exclaimed.
“It was quite thrilling actually. However, as we neared the edge and the canoe began to tip over, I did feel a brief moment of apprehension. But then we plunged arse over heels in the falling water. There was a moment when I thought it might all be all over and I issued the quickest little prayer. But even though there were numerous boulders below the falls we somehow managed to land in a pool deep enough for us to be able to plunge without breaking our necks. I was all arms and legs as we tumbled, but all that really happened was I ended up losing my very favorite hat and we did get thoroughly soaked. I do not know how we managed. By the grace of God, I expect.”
“It was my splendid padding that did the trick and saved us,” Chilton bragged.
“If you think I could scream at a rhinoceros, you should have heard Chilton as we tipped over the edge of the waterfall. He abandoned his paddle, lost his hat, and threw his hands up in the air and, I swear, they must have heard him in Cairo.”
“And before we fell, you held on to the sides of the canoe in a vice grip and your face was ashen white.”
“But always—every bit the lady.”
“And how did you get back to camp? Did they send out a search party?” Harry asked.
“No. We trekked. We had to go around the cliff that formed the falls.
We went up through a pass until we found the river again and made our way back to camp. But oh, the nasty mosquitos, the rude monkeys, and the mud. And that is why I am suggesting Singapore as our next adventure. I believe they have quite suitable hotels and sights that one can see from a rickshaw.”
Leah interrupted. “I am so sorry, sister, but you must excuse me. It is way past my bedtime and I must retire.”
“Let me take you, Mother,” Maria said as she stood up.
“No dear, Nurse Carter is standing by. Do not trouble yourself. I know you will want to hear the rest of Agatha’s stories.”
“Another time, perhaps,” Agatha said. “I feel quite worn out myself. In retelling my adventures, I am reliving them all over again. And as I intend to create a slim volume recounting my stories, I believe I shall leave you all in suspense until it is published. Then you can read at your leisure and relive my adventures over and over again as often as you wish.”
She went over to Leah, took hold of her chair, and wheeled her out of the room to find Nurse Carter.
Every cattleman’s greatest fear is hoof and mouth disease. It means the quarantine and eventual slaughter of all of his animals if the outbreak is confirmed.
Harry had given scant attention to Agatha’s narration last night as his mind was focused on the animals he saw drooling that afternoon. He had worried about it all night and slept fitfully and, upon arising, sent a message to his vet to come as soon as possible that morning.
“You never said how your afternoon went with Miss Fitzwalker yesterday,” Christopher said, as he slipped into his chair after helping himself at the breakfast sideboard.
Harry gave a faint smile as he buttered his toast and applied marmalade. “I fear she may not be the simple young lady she would like me to believe she is.”
“Oh, Harry, who of us is not without fault?”
Harry explained the fake sprained ankle. Christopher laughed.
“But at least she is interested in you. I would not take her wiles too seriously. It is all part of the dance of courting, is it not?”
“Hmm. But my friend, I have a much greater concern right now.”
Christopher had just taken a mouthful of egg and toast and mumbled, “What?”
“Have you ever seen an outbreak of hoof and mouth?” And with that question, he had his friend’s attention.
“I have not. Why do you ask?”
Harry described what he saw yesterday as he showed the cattle to Miss Nora.
“My friend this cannot wait.”
“I know. I am expecting the vet any time now.”
“No, I mean this cannot wait. We must go out there immediately. If it is what you suspect, then we must get the infected cattle quarantined immediately. We must not wait, my friend.”
“But it might not be. Certainly, we can wait until Dr. Carson gets here to diagnose what it is.”
“They are your cattle, but with fine and expensive animals like you have, I would not hesitate.”
Harry stood, threw his napkin on the table, took another swig of tea and said, “Then I will go out there immediately.”
“And I am going with you,” Christopher said, also rising from the table and grabbing his buttered toast.
As the two friends arrived at the field where the suspect cattle were being kept, Harry saw, in the distance, a small buggy coming toward them.
“There is the vet. He will be able to tell us what is happening here.”
Harry and Christopher dismounted, having found one of the suspect animals. Harry maneuvered the cow into a holding pen, just as Dr. Carson pulled up, picked up his medical bag, and came running over to join them.
“I certainly hope you are wrong, Your Lordship,” Dr. Carson said as he slipped into the pen and began examining the cow. “Are there others?” he asked looking at Harry with a worried expression.
“I saw one other but there might be more.”
“Find them now, if you can and secure them in this pen.”
Harry looked at Christopher and they began to inspect the rest of the animals in this field. Unfortunately, this was only one field with only some of Harry’s herd. They would need to inspect all the rest and that might take hours.
“What are we looking for?” Christopher asked as he started going from animal to animal looking for anything that looked out of order.
“Drooling, or any sign of pain or discomfort. That is what I saw yesterday.
“And that is all?”
“That is all that I saw,” Harry called out as he was examining cattle further away from Christopher.
“Here is one,” Christopher called, and Harry ran over to join him.
They looked closely, and yes, the cow was drooling, and her tongue was hard, swollen and she appeared to be in pain and had difficulty breathing.
“I will take her to the pen. You keep looking,” Harry instructed.
He led the cow to the pen where Dr. Carson was at work, and as he entered, the vet looked up relieved.
“It is not what you think,” he said. “It is not hoof and mouth.”
“What then?”
“It is called wooden tongue, and it is treatable. There is a new and effective treatment using a tincture of iodine—a newly discovered element.”
“Oh, doctor, I cannot tell you how relieved I am. But what has caused this?”
“It is difficult to say. We have not found the reason why this happens. But it is not common and does not seem to spread when encountered if it is treated quickly.”
“Then let me fetch some of my men and we will inspect the rest of our animals right away.”
“I will treat these two and bring any others you find here and then keep them all quarantined until the symptoms disappear.”
“Thank you, Dr. Carson, I will get started on rounding up any others immediately.”
It had been a long and brutal day, but only a handful of animals were found to be infected and treatments were applied. Harry and Christopher were dirty, smelled of cattle, hay, and iodine, and were sprawled out in Harry’s study, each with a scotch in hand.
“You were very lucky, my friend,” Christopher said, downing the last of his second drink.
“Can you imagine? If it had been… I do not want to even say it.” Harry stood, went to the decanter of scotch and offered Christopher another.
“Why not? But I have to say a hot soaking bath seems to be quite a jolly idea right now as well.”
“I shall inform Daniels—baths for two.”
But Harry collapsed back into his chair and the two men both let out sighs and were silent until Christopher asked, “Now tell me about this Miss Anna of yours. I have not had a great deal of opportunity to get to know her as I have been focused on her dear sister. But the little we did chat, I found her to be quite delightful—if a little reserved. And you tell me that you have feelings for her?”
Harry sighed again. “Oh, my friend, I do. But woe be unto to me, for she cares for my good friend, Percy. You see, Anna and I have been close friends since we were children, and I fear she thinks of me as more of a brother than a possible lover.”
“But certainly, it is up to you to change that. Woo her if you care for her. Let her know she is special and then it might develop into more.”
“I should like to think that is possible, but she is like a horse with blinders and she does not see me. I fear it will take something to shake her up to see me with different eyes.”
Chapter 15
Dorothy had no further reoccurrence of her illness, but she was fidgety, and hoped that Christopher would call this morning as he usually did. But while she anticipated his appearance, she was also sad, because he would be here only a few days longer.
At the moment, she was in her bedchamber preparing a locket with a lock of her hair to give Christopher to remember her by. But she kept being distracted as she gazed out the window, lost in thoughts about her darling young man. Could it be she had found her one true love? She could hardly believe it was true. But so far, he had remained constant and his face always lit up in a beaming smile every time he came to see her.
However, she was brought back into the moment when there was a knock at her door and Anna came inside.
“News of Father,” she announced excitedly. “Come, a gentleman has just arrived and wishes to speak to both of us.”
“How wonderful, is Father coming home?” Dorothy asked.
“He has not said, as of yet. Come, come.” She said and put out her hand to hurry Dorothy along.
They ran down the hallway, down the stairs, and into the sitting room where a stout, elderly gentleman with fuzzy white hair was standing at the window looking out. He turned when he heard them enter.
“Ah, you are both present. Thank you, Miss Hoskins. Please sit.”
“You have news of Father?” Dorothy asked, as she sat facing the gentleman.
“First, let me introduce myself. I am Lord Richard Hargrove, Director of the East India Company’s London office.”
“Lord Hargrove, did you need to come all this way to tell us about our father’s return? Certainly, a note or letter would have been sufficient,” Anna said, “Do you have news of his imminent arrival?”
“Oh, yes, please tell us. We have had no letters from him for many months and we are longing for news from him,” Dorothy added.
Lord Hargrove looked down, clutched his hands behind his back, and shuffled.
“My dears, I am afraid I come here bearing bad news.” He stopped, seeming to gather his thoughts.
Both Anna and Dorothy blanched. Anna stood, and asked, “What? Tell us. Please.”
“I am dreadfully sorry to say your father was lost at sea in a terrible storm off of east Africa as he was returning home to England. He had informed us he was hoping to surprise the two of you by his return.” Neither daughter could respond. “He was one of our most loyal, productive, and valued employees. I am so very sorry.”
Anna sat back down, too stunned to respond. Dorothy burst into tears, stood up, and raced out of the room.
“Was his body recovered?” Anna finally asked.
“I am afraid not. The ship, its crew, and passengers were all lost, I am sorry to say.”
Anna sat silent for several moments. “I guess it is going to be up to me now to make arrangements. I must arrange a funeral service… Can one do that without a body?”
“I believe so, Miss Anna.”
“And are there any documents I will need as proof of his death?’
“I have everything you will need in my case. I shall leave those with you when I leave. But there is more I need to tell you.”
“Yes?” Anna asked still in too much shock to be able to respond to this overwhelming news.
“May I?” Lord Hargrove asked, indicating he wished to sit opposite her.
Anna nodded.
He sat and said, “Your father made provisions for your family. With him being abroad for long periods of time, and with the uncertainty of travel, he wanted to be certain the two of you would be cared for in case a situation like this ever arose.”
“Provisions?” Anna asked not quite comprehending.
“Your father was a very wealthy man.”
Anna shook her head. “He never indicated that. He was always very parsimonious and said money was always tight.”
“Not at all. He amassed a great fortune, most of which is invested in The East India Company. And his instructions to us were to make certain his shares in the company were made available to the two of you should anything like this happen to him. Now, at the moment, that money is still invested in the company, but we can make it available to you if and when you instruct us.”
“Oh, dear… I have no idea what to do at this point. I am going to need some advice.”
“You should also know that there is an insurance policy that your father set up for you and that shall be made available to you within the next few days. He instructed that the proceeds be deposit
ed directly into the family bank account.”
“Insurance?” Anna mumbled.
“One hundred thousand pounds. Of course, that is independent of your shares in the East India Company.” Lord Hargrove reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a calling card. “You may contact me at any time if the two of you decide to liquidate any or all of your shares. I will always be at your disposal if you need me. And by the way, your shares are currently yielding around five thousand a year in interest. That too is deposited directly into your account.”
The Scandalous Saga of the White Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 10