“Forgive me,” Kendall said. “I have clearly overstepped and misspoken. You are not the only one who disgraces himself socially, you see.” Kendall sighed. “I shall see myself out. Do thank Mrs. Taylor again for the excellent meal.”
Daniel nodded stiffly without turning.
Later, when they were preparing to retire, Lizette smiled at herself in the dressing mirror as she let down her hair.
“Your friend could barely keep his eyes from me all evening.”
“I noticed.”
She glanced at him. “You do not seem afflicted with such difficulties.”
“My dear. You know I consider you absolutely beautiful.”
“So you say.”
“You do not believe me?”
“You do not prove your words. I do notfeelthat you find me desirable or irresistible. Nor understand why you should want to resist.”
“It is only out of consideration for your ... health.”
“Unless,” she went on as if she had not heard, “some other woman has captured your attention?”
“Of course not, Lizette. You know better. You have been my only lover.”
She stepped close to him. “But we do not live as lovers. I need tofeelthat you desire me. I need to feel you ...”
She pressed herself against him, her breath hot on his neck, and he found he could resist no longer.
Daniel sat in the study in the cottage, refolded the letter, and laid it on the desk. He removed his spectacles and rubbed his eyes.
Replacing them again, he saw Charlotte walking past his door.
“Miss Lamb? Might I have a word?”
“Of course.” She stepped into the study and stood before his desk. “What is it?”
“I’ve had a letter from Charles Harris.”
“Yes?” Worry stretched itself across her features.
“Your ... the family is all well. He wrote to tell us that he’s had to let Sally Mitchell go.”
“Go? Why?”
“It seems she was given laudanum by a neighboring nurse—meant to drug the child—”
“Dear God, no ...”
“Put yourself at ease. Edmund is fine. There is every indication that she did not give him any, but it appears the neighboring nurse administered a fatal dose to the infant in her care.”
“Merciful heavens.”
“He says, given that I personally recommended Sally, and considering the continuing health of his child, he is prepared to believe her innocent of all but considering the act. But that is enough that his wife cannot bear the thought of keeping the child in Sally’s care. She has hired a—” he briefly consulted the letter again—“a Mrs. Mead from the village to replace her.”
“I know her. A kind, honest woman from what I remember. But still, poor Sally—what must she have been thinking?”
“That is at least one purpose for Harris’s letter. To alert me to the fact that the nurses coming from the Manor may be under the misapprehension that the drug is suitable for such purposes. It is clear that I have some reeducating to do when I return. I can rest, at least, in the knowledge that the neighboring nurse was not a resident of our institution.”
