“H-he is not going to live here, surely?”
“If Mamma allows it. He has been living in Brook House, one of the properties owned by his late wife’s family. Clothiers,you know. The Pallings? But apparently there are too many memories in the house since his wife’s death. So he wants to move back here. Though I suppose he will still spend a good deal of time at the mill—he gained a life interest through his marriage.”
“And the colonel? I suppose he is on leave?”
“Or something like that. I don’t understand the particulars. Details give me a headache, and I have far too many of those as it is.”
Concern rose. “Perhaps there is something I can do to help. What has Dr. Marsland prescribed?”
“Dr. Finch attends me now. The new doctor? You have met him, I trust?”
“I have.”
“Handsome, you must allow.”
“Oh, I ... yes.”
“Mamma is sure his knowledge and skills are more up-to-date than Marsland’s, so she prefers me to see Dr. Finch nowadays. That, and ... other reasons. Though I still talk to Dr. Marsland from time to time when he calls on Mamma.”
“I see.”
“At all events, both doctors prescribe fresh air and rest. I take plenty of each, I assure you.”
“Is that all? Next time you have a headache, let me know and I shall give you something more effective.”
“Very well, I shall. Thank you.”
Anne returned to Lady Celia’s room and set about her tasks. Thoughts of Mr. Dalby staying under the same roof crowded Anne’s brain, giving her a headache of her own.
The next day, Anne returned Lady Celia’s breakfast tray to the kitchen and then went for a brief stroll around the churchyard, pausing once again at her grandparents’ grave.
At the sound of approaching boot-falls, Anne turned. A man came striding up the path toward her, dressed in an army officer’s uniform: red jacket with gold facings and epaulets, darker red sash, light pantaloons, and a knapsack over his shoulder.
Closer now, she recognized him. Jasper Paine. Light-brown hair, long side-whiskers a shade lighter, and hazel eyes. In fact, his coloring was rather similar to her own. With his time away with the military, she had not seen much of him in recent years. Her visits to her grandparents had not often coincided with his leaves.
His expression seemed distracted, even troubled.
When he saw her, however, a bright smile broke over his handsome face. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t little Annie Loveday, all grown up and lovelier than ever.”
Pleasure flowed through her at his greeting. “Good day to you too, Jasper Paine. Though I suppose I should call youColonelnow.”
His smile dimmed somewhat. “Jasper will do. We’ve known each other since childhood, after all. Though it’s been far too long since I’ve seen you.” He gestured around the churchyard. “We used to play hide-and-seek here, remember? You, me, Fanny, Albert Palling, and a few others.”
“I remember.”
Noticing the grave, his expression sobered. “I was very sorry to hear about your grandparents. Excellent people.”
“Thank you.”
Studying the dates carved into the stone, he said, “Has it really been three years?”
“Nearly, yes.”
“And how long since we’ve seen each other?”
“I believe it was the summer before they died. This is my first trip back since Fanny—since we sold their house.”
“How is your sister?” Sincere concern shone in his eyes.
