“I told you, there is nothing I can do.” Mrs. Moorling rose. “I trust Sally Mitchell has proven herself a suitable nurse?”
Katherine had little choice but to rise as well. “Yes. Quite suitable, thank you.”
Unaccustomed as she was to being refused anything, Lady Katherine’s departing smile was quite false.
As she left Mrs. Moorling’s office, she saw a thin, plain, officious woman with a sheaf of papers in hand.
Katherine smiled at her. “You look a very knowledgeable, helpful sort.”
“I do?” The plain woman curtsied. “Thank you, mum.”
“I would be ever so obliged if you could help me. I am looking for my dearest cousin, sent here by her tyrant of a father. Poor dear thinks she hasn’t a friend in the world, when here I am ready to offer hearth and home.”
“’Tis good of you.”
“So. If you could just direct me to Charlotte’s room ...” She took a tentative step toward the stairs.
“Charlotte?” the young woman asked.
“Yes, Miss Charlotte Lamb.” Katherine paused on the first step.
“Oh ... I’m afraid we haven’t anyone by that name. We did have a Charlotte not so long ago by another surname. But I’m afraid she’s left and I know not where. Poor soul.”
Katherine arched a brow.
“Lost her wee babe, she did.”
“How dreadful.”
“Yes, mum. A finer young woman I’ve never known.”
“But not ... a Miss Lamb?”
“No. I’m afraid not.”
Discouraged, Katherine was just leaving the manor when she heard a voice call out a familiar name. “Afternoon, Taylor. Any new patients I should know of?”
Katherine whirled around. Two men stood talking in low tones on the other side of the hall. Both looked up as she approached, her shoes clicking on the marble floor. One was handsome—dark hair brushed back from his forehead with a touch of silver in his sideburns. The other man was taller, but thin and pale.
“Dr. Taylor?” she asked.
The thin one inclined his chin and answered, “Yes?”
She introduced herself. “Lady Katherine Harris.”
Before Taylor could respond, the handsome man bowed. “Lady Katherine ... a pleasure. Allow me to introduce myself. Jeffrey Preston, esteemed physician. May I be of service?”
“Actually I’d like to speak to Dr. Taylor.” She turned to him.
“That is, if you have a moment?”
“Of course. Excuse us, Preston.”
Dr. Preston bowed curtly before turning on his heel and stalking away.
“You must forgive me,” Katherine began once they were alone.
“I am told you were on hand the night my son was born, but I am afraid I don’t remember meeting you ... or little else for that matter. I was not myself that night.”
