Charlotte turned. The milk was boiling out onto the stove.
Right after emergence from its chrysalis,
the Monarch is extremely vulnerable to predators
because it is not yet able to fly.
—JOURNEYNORTH
CHAPTER34
At the breakfast table one morning in November, Charlotte announced to Dr. Taylor and his father, “Anne and I are planning quite the celebration tonight, and you are both invited.”
“What is the occasion?” Dr. Taylor asked.
“Your birthday, silly!” Anne laughed.
“Todayisyour birthday, is it not?” Charlotte asked tentatively.
“Well, I guess it is. I had quite forgotten.”
“I hope neither of you will have to work late tonight.”
“I’m going to help make a cake!” Anne announced proudly. “Just like the one Missy made for my birthday!”
“How nice. I shall look forward to it.”
“As will I,” John Taylor said. “Though I’m afraid I haven’t a gift for you, my boy. Unless you’d like a new ear horn or scalpel?” He winked.
“Do not trouble yourself, Father. You and I have gotten out of the habit of celebrating birthdays.”
John Taylor folded his napkin and stood. “Well, I’m off. I promised Mrs. Krebs I’d be in early this morning.”
His son turned his head to watch him leave. “If I did not know better, I would think he was taken with her.” He looked at Charlotte and smiled self-consciously. “And Iwouldrecognize the symptoms.”
Charlotte bit back a smile. “Do finish your breakfast, Anne, so we can begin our preparations.”
Porridge dripped off Anne’s chin as she said eagerly, “We are to wear our new gowns, and you must wear your green coat, Papa.”
“Try not to speak with your mouth full, dear,” Charlotte admonished.
Daniel bowed his head toward his daughter. “As my lady wishes.”
“Do you not think Papa most handsome when he wears his green coat?”
Charlotte smiled, clearly embarrassed. “I ... yes, quite handsome.”
“Well, then”—he held her gaze—“your wish is my command.”
How differently it all might have gone had he not stopped by the club on his way home. He had left the Manor sufficiently early, leaving Thomas and his father on duty, and only dropped by in hopes of finding Preston, who had not shown up to relieve them as scheduled. His father had insisted Daniel go home and not miss his own birthday celebration. He would stay until Preston arrived. Not seeing his colleague in the club, Daniel turned to leave. That’s when he saw Lester Dawes. He might not have stopped at all, had his old acquaintance not looked so miserable, hands holding up his head, several empty tumblers before him.
“Dawes?”
The man looked up, bleary-eyed and desolate. “Hello, Taylor.”
“What’s wrong, man? You look dreadful.”
“You haven’t heard?”
