He sat in the armchair nearby, clearly happy to stay and talk. His wife lingered in the doorway.
“Not at all,” Dr. Parrish said. “Only by letters. Never met the man before and I suppose I still haven’t. Not really.”
“But—” She frowned in concentration. “I thought you said your son...?”
He nodded. “Edgar met him when Sir John came out to look at the place a few months ago.”
“That’s right,” Mrs. Parrish added. “Dr. Parrish and I were away delivering twins at the time.”
“Sir John came alone?”
“Had a man with him, Edgar said. A man of business, I think, though I don’t exactly recall.” The doctor’s eyes sparkled. “But you were not with him, my lady. Edgar made no mention of the charming Lady Mayfield. That I would recall.”
Mrs. Parrish frowned and crossed her arms.
Hannah opened her mouth to correct him, then stopped. The fact that a lady’s companion would be sent packing once there was no lady in the house gave her pause. The valuable ring gave her pause. The very notion, too. Even so, her conscience rose up, urging her to tell the truth and find a way to redeem Danny honestly.
She asked, “Dr. Parrish, can you tell me how soon I will be well enough to travel?”
His eyes widened. “Travel? But you have only just arrived.”
“I know. But I need to return to Bath as soon as possible.”
Mrs. Parrish’s frown deepened. “Why, if I may ask? If you forgot something, perhaps we might send for it.”
Hannah shook her head. “I didn’t forget anything.” She winced at the irony of those words. “But I have left someone extremely important in Bath and I must return for him.”
They both looked at her expectantly, awaiting an explanation.
She swallowed. “My son. I am ashamed to say I forgot him for a time.”
The doctor’s eyes widened once more. “Good heavens! When I examined you, I assumed you’d miscarried the child. Though considering, well, several things, I should have known you’d already delivered. I am so sorry I blundered in saying you’d lost the child. How incompetent you must think me!”
“Not at all,” Hannah mumbled. “Remind me. How did you even know there was a child?”
“Sir John mentioned his wife was expecting in one of his letters.”
“Ah.” She lifted her chin in understanding, but inwardly her thoughts rebelled. How had she not noticed Marianna was in the family way?
“Praise God you didnotbring the child with you,” Dr. Parrish continued. “I shudder at the thought of a wee one in that wreck. A son, you said?”
“Yes. I ... left him with his nurse.”
“Until you were settled and had readied the house?” Mrs. Parrish asked. “There is no proper nursery as yet. I’m surprised Sir John did not ask Edgar to have one fitted up for your arrival.”
Hannah had no idea how to answer that. She had been ready to tell the truth about her child and situation, only to find the Parrishes quite aware “Lady Mayfield” had been expecting a child, although not this soon. Now her emotions were inturmoil, and indecision plagued her. If it meant being able to rescue her son, dare she allow them to continue believing she was Lady Mayfield for a little while longer? Just until she had her baby boy back in her arms?
She faltered. “I ... don’t know why. All I know is that I need to return to my son.”
The doctor nodded. “And bring him here as soon as may be. Yes, what a comfort he shall be to you in these uncertain days.”
“A great comfort,” she agreed.
“As eager as you are, I must insist you wait a few days before undertaking such a journey. Allow that head wound to heal a bit more. I’ve set your arm with splints and soaked bandages. But the starch solution requires several days to dry thoroughly enough to immobilize the bone. If you rush things, it won’t heal properly. You don’t want to risk the use of the arm.”
No, she could not afford to lose the use of her arm. How then would she be able to work to support herself and her son?
What if she allowed the misapprehension to continue for a few days more? Then she would leave, sell the ring if she had to, collect Danny, and disappear, never to return.
