“Hmm?”
“About Miss Lamb. Yournurse?”
“Oh. How did you ...?”
“She told me herself. Outside, before I came in.”
“Well, I saw no need to humiliate her—you are a stranger to her. I was not thinking ahead.”
“You might have sent a note and saved us both the embarrassment.”
“I am sorry. She berated me as well for not telling you. I only meant to spare her feelings.”
Kendall looked at him closely. “Were you and she ...?”
“What?”
“She mentioned a child.”
“Heavens no. I had not seen her in several years when I came upon her in hospital, quite far along in her lying-in.”
“I must say I find this situation highly unusual.”
Daniel shrugged. “My daughter needed a nurse. Miss Lamb needed a post.”
“Does Mrs. Taylor know?”
“She knows I am acquainted with Miss Lamb and her family from my time in Kent.”
“But not how you felt about her?”
“I saw no need. It’s years ago now.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. Kendall, I am devoted to my wife.”
“Of course you are. I did not mean to imply anything untoward. It is the irony of this situation—do you not recognize it? You have Charlotte Lamb in your service, living under your roof, nursing your child, looking as lovely as ever I imagined from your descriptions—”
“And what is your point?” Daniel asked in growing irritation.
“I am only pondering. I take it the bloke responsible has offered no marriage, no arrangement?”
“No. He is married.” Daniel took a sip. “As am I.”
“Yes, yes. And Mrs. Taylor is very beautiful, I grant you.”
Kendall shook his head. “Here I am a year your elder with no woman in my life and you have two.”
“I do not have two women!” Daniel heard the anger mounting in his own voice.
“Look, I know you to be a man of honor and all that. Always have been. But you know, Daniel, these thingsaredone. It is nearly respectable these days to support a beautiful lady in such a situation. Though I suppose the wordladymust now be applied rather loosely.”
“Richard. You know not of what you speak. I have been and shall remain faithful to Lizette. I took vows. Sacred vows. And, well even if I had not. I am devoted to my wife!”
“Yes, so you have said.”
Daniel turned away, on the verge of ordering this man from the house. He forced himself to relax his fisted hands flat against his trouser legs and take several deep breaths.
