“I think Lady Juliana should be moved to a different house, my Lord. As you remember, I spoke to you about your niece’s amnesia after the carriage accident three years ago. The stress of the season and the possibility that her memory is trying to come back has been causing her a series of migraines. I have prescribed laudanum, but she has refused to take it. I suggest allowing her to be taken to Dunsbury House. Her Grace has graciously said that she would take care of all bills and the like until her ladyship is feeling better,” said Doctor Stevenson.
“Do you really think that would be beneficial?” Basil asked the doctor.
“I do, indeed, my Lord. I think being in the care of the duchess would be more beneficial than the care she is currently getting here.”
“Fine. So, it shall be.”
Doctor Stevenson nodded and stepped out the door.
“Henrietta, what do you think? Should we send my niece to the duchess?” Basil asked.
“It would be our best chance to seek those letters. She should go,” Henrietta sneered.
“Then we’re in agreement.”
“On your way out, will you ring for Jones?” she asked Basil as he left the room.
Jones summoned Maddy to his rooms. She didn’t know why she was being summoned, but it appeared something wasn’t right.
“Maddy, Lady Juliana is being moved to Dunsbury House as soon as we can make it happen. You will be going with her, seeing as you have known her for so long and will be needed. Please start packing my lady’s belongings for removal to Dunsbury House.”
“Yes, sir.”
Maddy made her way back above stairs, thinking to herself that Juliana would be in a better place. Maybe her migraines would disappear altogether. She gently tapped on Juliana’s door and walked in.
“My lady, it seems that the doctor has ordered you to be removed to Dunsbury House until you are feeling better. He believes you will get better cared for, and, most likely, have a better doctor to find out what really is going on with you.”
“Oh, Maddy, really? I can’t imagine how or why Uncle Basil would let me go. He thrives on me being here.”
“I don’t know, my lady, but it looks like he wants you to get better, and this would be the best option. Jones has ordered me to pack all of your belongings to go to Dunsbury House.”
“Very well, my friend. Please hurry, for I need to be out of this house as soon as you can make it happen.”
The Duchess of Dunsbury was surprised to have a messenger arrive from the Earl of Dumbrey. He said Lady Juliana was ill and needed to be removed from the Dumbrey household. She remembered a conversation she’d had with a Doctor James Stevenson about the possibility of taking in the girl. She was already the girl’s chaperone. What was wrong with the girl that she needed to be relocated?
She sent the messenger back to the earl. She wanted him to know that she would have a room prepared as soon as Juliana arrived. Not long after, she penned a letter to her son, advising him to come back to town as soon as he was able.
Bethany had a maid prepare the Green Room in the family wing for the girl. She loved Juliana as if she were her own daughter, always had. The relationship between the families was a long one that went back as far as the Norman Conquest of England. Juliana didn’t have to know about that, and it seemed as if her son didn’t remember that relationship, either. She was the only one left who knew, and it would go with her to her death.
Juliana arrived at Dunsbury House in one of her uncle’s closed carriages, the blinds shut to keep out as much light as possible. The pain rippled through her, concentrating between her eyes and radiating down through to the bottom of her skull. Any noise or bump in the road during the journey from her home to the duchess’s residence was excruciating. It wasn’t long before the carriage came to a sudden stop.
“Lady Juliana, we are here. Do I need to get a footman to help carry you into the house?”
“Yes, please, Maddy. I don’t think I can move without collapsing.”
“I will go get one from inside the house. You will be well, my lady.”
Minutes later, a tall, broad man in livery stepped into view to help her into the house. She heard Bethany direct the man to take her to the Green Room. Juliana had no idea where the Green Room was, but it was dark when she opened her eyes.
“Oh, good. You’re awake, child. Whatever has happened?” Bethany asked.
“Your Grace, a couple of days ago, I got a letter from Marcus and it forced so many memories to come all at once that I’ve had these migraines, and they won’t go away. The doctor prescribed laudanum but I refused to take the vile concoction. I don’t know what to do. I was surprised that Uncle sent me here. He was always protective of me before. Now, he seems so happy to have me out of his hair, and Henrietta was acting strangely. More than usual.”
“Child, we will talk about this more in the morning when you have had a good night’s sleep. There are things we need to discuss. Have a good sleep, my dear,” Bethany said.
Juliana closed her eyes, let the pain overwhelm her, and passed into the darkness that had been threatening to drag her under for the last several hours.