“You said you got this from a hospital. Which hospital?”
“What does it matter?”
“Was it a lying-in hospital? The Manor Home? Queen Charlotte’s?”
“I had my mind on other things. The physician directed the driver to the nearest facility ...”
“Yes, yes. Which was it?”
“Why do you need to know?”
“Because Charlotte is there ... or was. And I have the proof of it.” She lifted the blanket.
“You have nothing of the kind. All sorts of ladies aid societies make blankets for hospitals and foundling wards and other worthy charities. If, and I repeatif,Charlotte Lamb stitched that blanket, that by no means proves anything other than her stitching hasn’t improved.”
“Can you imagine Charlotte sitting around stitching with some ladies aid society? And with such cheap material? I for one cannot.”
“For a good cause ...”
“Yes, for a very good cause—her own. I tell you she has disappeared, and my uncle will not speak her name nor hint at her whereabouts. Neither will her trying sister.”
She suddenly looked at him, staring baldly at him, daring him to lie. “You do not know where she is, do you, Charles? Tell me honestly.”
He replied levelly. “I do not know where she is.”
“I should ask Amelia Tilney. She would know if anyone would.”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Why do you think? So we can help her.”
“Even if what you are suggesting is true ... that she’s had a child out of wedlock?”
“Yes. Not publicly, of course. But if she’s been left to fend for herself, there must be something we can do.”
“That is very kind of you, Katherine.”
“Do look into it for me, won’t you, Charles?”
“Very well. If it’s important to you, I shall.”
Daniel’s father, John Taylor, looked at him sadly from across the table. “But to send your child away ...?”
“What would you have me do?” Daniel asked.
“I could help care for her. Have the nurse stay here.”
“What sort of woman would live alone with two men?”
“Plenty would.”
“Not the sort I want nursing my daughter.”
“Anne is my grandchild.”
“And my daughter. Do you not think I shall miss her as well?”
“But Lizette will want her near ... once she is sufficiently recovered.”
