He opened his mouth, paused, then said, “Something of a ... personal nature.”
“Whatever it is, I did not take it. Why would I care about anything in your room?”
He studied her, eyes glinting. “Oh, you would care, Miss Loveday. You would care very much indeed.”
Anne gestured toward the door. “Please leave, Mr. Dalby. I don’t like you invading my room any more than you would like me invading yours.”
For a moment longer, his green eyes pierced hers. Weighing. Watching. Then he turned and walked away.
Anne expelled a long breath and sank onto her bed, counting the hours until she could leave Painswick Court forever.
Anne went downstairs to lend a hand in finishing preparations for the viewing, helping to make sure they were ready to receive the many townspeople and other guests who would soon be arriving.
Albert Palling came to Painswick Court carrying a basket of carnations and roses arranged with a few yew branches.
Anne said, “Oh, how nice. Do come in. I am sure Miss Fitzjohn will wish to thank you.”
“That’s all right. Don’t want to make a fuss. Just set them with the others, if you would be so kind.”
“Of course. Thank you, Mr. Palling.”
When everything was ready downstairs, Anne helped Jane clean and air Lady Celia’s room and her own too.
Meanwhile, Rosa found a quiet moment alone with Miss Fitzjohn to formally take her leave. Anne didn’t know how much Rosa disclosed to Katherine, whether she’d told her about her past with Mr. Dalby or about the child. Either way, Anne was glad Rosa was returning to Valley View Lodge. She knew both Robbie and Dr. Finch would be relieved and pleased as well.
And finally, during the long afternoon and evening of the public viewing, Anne helped direct visitors to keep the line moving, spoke with neighbors and old friends, and remembered similar days spent bidding farewell to her own mother and grandparents. She found herself praying for Katherine Fitzjohn, and for Jasper, wherever he was.
After the last visitor left Painswick Court, Anne went up to her room, packed a few remaining items, shut her case and valise, and walked downstairs, hoping to slip out with little fanfare.
Instead, Mr. Dalby met her in the hall. He looked down at the valise and medicine case in her hands. “Now, I wonder what you have in there ...?”
“Nothing of yours.”
“Perhaps I ought to have a look, just to be sure.”
Anne set her cases on the hall table and gestured towardthem. “Look all you like. I don’t want to be the victim of any more false accusations.”
He opened her valise and pawed through her personal belongings. Anne was too angry to be embarrassed at seeing his hands rake over her stockings and shifts. Then he looked through the drawers and bottles in her medicine case as well.
“Humph.” He snapped shut the lids once more. “Where are you going?”
“Back to Miss Newland’s, of course. My patient has died. And now that the inquest and viewing are over, I am no longer needed here.”
“I disagree.” Katherine Fitzjohn appeared in the library doorway. “Suddenly, I am not feeling quite the thing. All the shock and grief, no doubt.” She sent her cousin a pointed look. “One of my weak spells is coming on.”
Mr. Dalby scoffed. “Weak spell, my eye. Don’t credit it, Miss Loveday. Katherine is the strongest of all of us.”
“How kind of you to say so.” She turned back to Anne. “Even so, I would feel better, safer, if you would remain with us for a few more days. At least until Jasper returns from wherever he went. I am growing increasingly worried about him.”
Anne hesitated. “Mr. Dalby clearly does not wish me to stay.”
“It’s not his decision to make. It’s mine. And I wouldreallylike you to stay.” The appeal, and perhaps fear, in her large eyes was evident and persuasive.
“Well, I ... I suppose I could stay another day or two. If I’m needed.”
“Good. That’s settled, then.”
“I’ll need to let Miss Newland know,” Anne said. “She is expecting me.”
