He looked up at her, feeling suddenly anxious. Had Katherine suspected the child would resemblehim? He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“Of course she admitted nothing about William. Still I wondered. But then this Taylor showed up, all the way from London. You don’t suppose ...?”
“Taylor is a married man.”
“We both know that is no guarantee of anything. He traveled alone.”
“Common enough. Besides, I heard his own wife was expecting a child. Taylor is likely a father already.”
“Indeed?”
“Indeed.”
Katherine shrugged, her pretty lips screwed up in thought. She seemed satisfied. For the time being.
The Taylors’ London townhouse was a tall narrow building sandwiched between a dozen others just like it. The medical offices were housed on street level, above the kitchen and beneath three floors of living quarters above. When they arrived, Daniel preceded Charlotte into his offices, where he dropped his medical case and picked up a few pieces of correspondence. He gave her a reassuring smile. “This way.”
Holding Anne, while he carried her heavier bag, she followed him up the stairs. Up on the first floor, he stepped into an adjoining room, the sitting room most likely. Charlotte hesitated on the landing.
She heard the happy, accented voice of Mrs. Taylor call out, “Daniel!Mon amour. Tu m’as manqué!”
Charlotte stepped forward tentatively. From where she stood in the doorway, she could see Dr. Taylor’s back, his arms wide, and a brief view of Mrs. Taylor’s dark hair and bright smile before she disappeared into her husband’s embrace. Charlotte averted her gaze and stepped back into the corridor.
“I’ve missed you too. More than you know.”
“Have you brought her?Notre fille?”
“Of course, my love.”
Charlotte stepped forward just as Daniel reached the doorway.
She handed Anne to him carefully but swiftly and again stepped back.
She heard Lizette Taylor’s gasp, followed by a moan that was at once joyful and mournful.
“Annette!Ma petite. Ma fille. Chair de ma chair.” The words were a warm litany of love and loss.“Tu es très grand.’’Charlotte heard laughter mixed with unseen tears.“Quel bébé dodu!”
“Yes, she has been well fed,” Daniel said.
“La nourrice?”
“Yes, my dear, I should like you to meet her.”
Again, Charlotte stepped forward, hands clammy, stomach churning. Her eyes were downcast as she entered the sitting room.
“May I introduce Miss Charlotte Lamb. Miss Lamb, my wife, Lizette.”
Charlotte glanced up quickly at Daniel’s wife. His beautiful wife.
“Madame Taylor,” the woman corrected pleasantly, slanting a look at her husband.
Charlotte looked back at the floor and bobbed a quick curtsy.
“Enchantée,” Charlotte mumbled, unsure whether her use of French would please her new employer or not.
When Charlotte darted another look, Mrs. Taylor smiled graciously at her. And with her smile she was even more beautiful. Charlotte could hardly reconcile this poised, exquisite woman with the howling, pitiful creature she had seen at the Manor Home.
Lizette Taylor’s eyes narrowed. “Have we met?” she asked.
