“Of course.” Eleanor could also find something to cheer her sister up. “You drink your barley water.”

“I will.” Alice picked up the glass and took a sip. “At least this tastes good. Much better than the gruel Nurse insisted I have.”

Eleanor shuddered at the thought of having to consume gruel. “It would be worth it never to be ill just to avoid that.”

A knock sounded on the door and Walter poked his head in the room. “There you are.” He glanced at Alice. “Feeling any better?”

“A little.” She nodded.

“That’s good.” Walter glanced at Eleanor. “I have something for you.”

“What is it?”

“You’ll see.” Taking her hand, he pulled her out of the room and down the corridor. “Charlie mentioned that he and Matt had warned you to take extra care because of the mine. So I thought if men can have sword sticks, why can’t a lady have a sword parasol? I went to Wilkinson’s, and it turns out he’s made them before. I think it works well.” He went into his chambers and brought out a parasol covered with a heavy cotton in Pomona Green. “You can always change the fabric. Let me show you how it works.” He held up the handle that had a button on it. “Press this, like so.” A lethal blade poked out of the tip of the parasol. “The ribs are a bit sturdier than a normal parasol.”

Eleanor took it from him. “How do I get the sword back inside?”

“This lever. Most of them have to be taken out of the parasol, but I thought it might take too long, so we came up with this design.”

“This is ingenious.” She threw her arms around him. “Thank you! You picked a lovely color as well.” She and her sisters had all had fencing lessons and were familiar with the proper method of thrusting. The parasol could not be used in an actual sword fight, but it could be used to gain enough time to get out of a bad situation. Not that she thought one would occur. She was sure the parasol would be more of an interesting item to have. “I am going shopping soon, but I think I shall practice before I leave.”

After telling Turner they would depart in about a half hour, she spent the time working with her sword parasol until she was finally comfortable using the controls and quickly thrusting with it. Donning her bonnet, Eleanor went to the hall, where her footman was waiting.

“The town coach is waiting, my lady.”

“Thank you. I do not have much to buy, but I told my sister I would stop at Hatchards.” It was a lovely day. There was no real reason to take the coach. “We should walk.”

Turner stared down at the floor and mumbled something.

“I did not hear you.”