“Of course,” Dr. Parrish agreed. “And have you met young Master Mayfield?”
Mr. Lowden’s brow furrowed. “Master Mayfield?”
“Sir John and Lady Mayfield’s son?” the doctor clarified.
Mr. Lowden’s lips parted. “Son? I know nothing of a son.”
Seeing the doctor’s astounded expression, Hannah hurried to explain. “Mr. Lowden has only lately taken over as Sir John’s solicitor after his father’s death, and is not acquainted with every recent event.”
“Ah.”
Mr. Lowden’s frown deepened. “He did mention his wife was expecting a child, but I thought...”
Dr. Parrish interrupted with a nod. “I thought the same.Surprised I was to hear the young master had already arrived. And what a bonny lad he is. You will want to see him.”
Mr. Lowden held her gaze, challenge glinting in his eyes. “Indeed I shall.”
Dr. Parrish led Mr. Lowden upstairs, the two men speaking in low voices as they went. A part of Hannah thought she ought to go in with them, in case Sir John should awaken again and say something to expose her. She would then be alerted to imminent danger. Instead, she remained in the drawing room. Mr. Lowden, though not a judge, was a solicitor. He was attached to, familiar with, and represented the law. Having him there increased the risks to herself and therefore to Daniel as well. She would need to tread wisely, extract herself more carefully.
Several minutes later, Mr. Lowden came back downstairs alone, his expression pensive.
She rose, fiddling with the sling with her free hand. “How did you find him?”
“Very bad indeed. It is quite a shock.”
“Yes. This has all been deeply upsetting.”
He stood there, making no move to pick up his hat from the side table nor to take his leave. Did he expect her to invite him to stay? She supposed she should. Probably would have, were she Marianna Mayfield, who enjoyed nothing more than a handsome man’s company. But she did not want this man under the same roof, watching her every move, measuring and noting her every word to use against her later. To catch her leaving...
Mr. Lowden cleared his throat. “Pardon me for asking. But did your husband happen to mention that he invited me to stay here when I came to Devonshire?”
Her stomach fell. “No. I’m sorry. He didn’t even mention you were coming.”
“I did send a letter to him here; did you not receive it?”
She shook her head. “We’ve received no post since we’ve been here, that I know of.”
“How strange. I wrote to apprise him of when I would arrive and to thank him for his invitation to stay at Clifton.” He gestured to a leather saddle valise in the corner.
Hannah hesitated, then swallowed nervously. “Well then, of course you must stay here. I will ask Mrs. Turrill to prepare one of the guest rooms. I should warn you that we have only minimal staff at present. With the accident, we have yet to engage more.”
“It’s not a problem; I am used to doing for myself. But I don’t wish to trouble you. If it is not convenient, I suppose there might be an inn somewhere nearby...?”
“Never mind, Mr. Lowden.” She forced a smile. “Of course you must stay here. I am not hungry, but I shall ask Mrs. Turrill to send up a dinner tray.”
She wanted to ask how long he planned to stay, but did not wish to be impolite. Might it be wiser to wait to make her escape until after he had gone?
A few minutes later, he picked up his bag, and Mrs. Turrill showed the man to a guest room while Hannah waited for Dr. Parrish. She caught up with the physician near the side door as he was readying to take his leave.
“Dr. Parrish, I have a question. Mr. Lowden mentioned that he had sent a letter to Sir John here, informing us of his arrival. Yet I have seen no post since we arrived. Do you know anything about the postal arrangements for Clifton?”
He pursed his lips in thought. “We receive our post regularly enough. And I am quite certain Edgar informed the postmaster of the names of the new tenants. I am going into Lynmouth first thing tomorrow and shall speak to Mr. Mason myself.”
“Only if it is no trouble.”
“No trouble at all, my lady.”
“Thank you, Dr. Parrish. You are very kind.”
