“I pray that will be so.”
“May I ask what—” his father hesitated—“what course of treatment you will try next?”
“I do not know.”
“Allow me to help you, Daniel.”
“You are not to practice, if you’ll remember.”
“It was one mistake. And even then both child and mother survived.”
“Yes, I thank God I happened by.”
“She was not expected to deliver for a fortnight at least. If I’d had any indication her time might come sooner, that I might be called into duty, I should never have allowed myself to ... to ...”
“Get drunk?”
His father winced.
“Forgive me,” Daniel said. “That was uncalled for.”
“I have not taken a drink since,” his father said quietly. “But if I’m not allowed to work, to help people ... I do not know ...”
“Perhaps in time, Father. Once that episode is forgotten. Do not forget Miss Marsden threatened to go to the courts with her charges if she caught wind of you practicing.”
“I have not forgotten. Still, I might be of use to my own granddaughter or daughter-in-law... .”
“You saw how Lizette was while she was still here with us. You would barely know her now. The mania is completely out of control. If you have some idea ...”
“I confess I have never treated a case so severe.”
“Nor I, Father. Nor I.”
The following week, Katherine again raised the topic of Charlotte’s whereabouts. “I was speaking with my accoucheur and he remembers a physician by the name of Taylor being on hand the night of Edmund’s birth.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Well, where does he practice? Have you contacted him?”
“What do you plan to do once you know?”
“To inquire after Charlotte, of course.”
“I’m sure such information is confidential. For obvious reasons.”
“Oh, I have my ways—as you well know.” She smiled at him.
“Have you considered for a moment, my dear, that if Charlotte were in such a place, she might not like the fact to be discovered?”
“Bah. I am sure it is only that preening vicar-father of hers that sent her into exile. Charlotte has always been very fond of me. I am sure she would be happy to see me, once she knows where my sympathies lie.”
“I am sorry, Mrs. Harris.” The matron, a Mrs. Moorling, was either ignorant or refused to address her properly. “But I cannot divulge the name of any of our girls—neither current nor past residents. Surely you understand.”
“Normally, yes. But I assure you this instance is different. I only want to help my cousin.”
“Very noble, I’m sure.”
Katherine sighed. “Very well, I shall leave my card.” Katherine handed one across the desk. “Perhaps you might deliver it to her and ask her to contact me, if that would be more suitable.”
