“I read a great deal. One of the families I work for—and have for some eight years now—the grandfather was a physician. When he died they gave me a few of his books.”
Charlotte nodded her understanding, wondering though, what Dr. Taylor would think of an uneducated man setting bones and stitching wounds. Of course she knew there were plenty of men who worked as surgeons or apothecaries who had never read a single book on the subject.
“The family I work for—the father is a physician.”
“The family letting Lloyd Lodge?”
Charlotte nodded.
“Is he planning to practice here?”
“I do not believe so. We’re only to be here for a few months.”
He looked oddly disappointed.
“But if you wanted to see him for something ...”
“I should not like to trouble him on his holiday.”
She wanted to say more, but Thomas abruptly rose to his feet, and to his full impressive height.
“There you are, good as new.”
“Thank you so much. I shall tell the Beebes of your noble service.”
“Please do—perhaps I shall earn an extra tart from the telling.” He smiled.
“I should like to pay you something for your time, but I haven’t my purse... .”
He waved her offer away. “Don’t give it a second thought, Miss Charlotte. It’s what neighbors do.”
“So you do live nearby?”
“Yes, a modest cottage further inland. About midway between here and Lloyd Lodge, I’d say. Wouldn’t you, Lizzy?”
“About that, yes.”
Charlotte began pushing the carriage. “Well, then, perhaps I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again sometime, Lizzy. And Thomas.”
He smiled again. “The pleasure, Miss Charlotte, would be ours.”
Mrs. Beebe looked up from the buns she was brushing with egg-water. “There you are, Miss Charlotte. The missus was looking for you.”
Regret filled her. “I feared as much. Where is she?”
“She and her maid went into the village to do some shopping, though I don’t suppose she’ll find much there to her fancy. She wanted to take Anne along, but I told her, I did, ‘Mrs. Taylor, I have six grandbabies. So believe me when I tell you, you shall have a much more pleasant outing without a babe in arms.’”
Mrs. Beebe winked at Charlotte.
“Thank you.” Charlotte smiled, relieved. She could ill afford to anger Mrs. Taylor. “I happened upon Thomas Cox and his sister Lizzy on my walk.”
“Did you now?”
“Yes, I understand Thomas works for several families in the area.”
“That he does. Does an odd job for Mr. Beebe now and again as well. That boy can fix anything he puts his hand to, whether it be an object or growing things, animals, even people.”
“Lizzy said he set her brother’s broken arm.”
