Chapter 37
The journey to Wansdyke was slow.
For one thing, the weather was much colder: the occasional fall of snow made the horses hang back and ostlers and innkeepers slower to respond to Lydia Barrow’s urgent entreaties. For another, Catherine felt simply unable to travel as fast as she might have. The jostling of the carriage kept her awake through the night and, exhausted, she was too tired and ill to eat. When, after over a day spent on the road, they finally reached Wansdyke, Catherine overruled Lydia’s anxious objections and said that they would continue on to Wales that same day.
“I will be fine after a short nap, and so will you,” she said firmly. “Kindly have the staff put the furniture under the holland covers and prepare to close Wansdyke for a time. They should have alrea
