“Perfectly understandable. It is a pleasure to see you looking so well.”
“Thank you.”
“And how does young Edmund fare?”
“Very well.” She beamed. “I am surprised you remember my little son’s name.” Then her pleasure transformed into a question.
“But how do you know his name, I wonder? We had not yet decided what to call him.”
“Oh. I don’t know. Someone told me. Your husband, perhaps.
I’ve seen him by chance a time or two since.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Have you really?”
“Only in passing.”
She looked at him closely, opened her mouth as if to say more, then closed it again. She smiled. “I have not thanked you for everything you did for my son that night.”
“You needn’t thank me.”
“Of course I do. You saved his life.”
“Well ...” Dr. Taylor looked down at the floor, clearly uncomfortable.
“Let me tell you why I’m here,” she began. She told him of her quest and the man’s discomfiture only seemed to increase.
“I am afraid I cannot help you. The Manor Home has strict policies—”
“Yes, yes, your Mrs. Moorling has explained all that already. But I thought, perhaps since you are some acquainted with my family ...”
“I’m sorry.”
She pulled a small paper-wrapped bundle from her reticule. “I have funds here I was hoping would help my cousin. Shall I be forced to roam the corridors, calling her name?”
“No. That will not be necessary. You have my word that Char ... that no one by that name is in residence.”
“But she was here.”
“I cannot say.”
Katherine sighed in frustration, then forced a smile. “Very well.”
She returned the bundle to her bag and turned to leave.
Dr. Taylor called after her. “If I were to ...”
Katherine turned around.
“... to somehow come into contact with this person. Can you tell me, what exactly is the money for? Is it ... in payment for ... something?”
“Payment? Goodness, it isn’t payment for anything. I simply want to help her and never imagined I would have so much trouble doing so.”
Dr. Taylor again studied the floor. Katherine closed the distance between them.
“It is clear you know more than you let on. I know—I will give you a ... donation. If you can get it to Charlotte, wonderful. If you cannot, use it for the worthiest cause ... or woman ... you know. Surely you cannot reject such an offer.”
“It is indeed generous and there are many needs.”
