Dr. Marsland said, “Yes, I am afraid rumors are already circulating around town.”
“What rumors?” Dr. Finch asked.
“Perhaps I should not specify. Not here and now.”
“Then I shall,” Ursula Birt replied, her tone matter-of-fact. “The rumor is, young women come to your house at all hours.”
About to push through the pantry door, Anne froze, stifling a gasp.
“What? That’s...” Dr. Finch huffed. “They must be referring to my housekeeper.”
“Mrs. Tufley is not young,” Dr. Marsland said.
“Her daughter is. Only twelve or so. She’s begun helping with ... things ... in the house as well.”
“Two servants! Patients will think you’re charging too much if you can afford two servants.”
“Hannah shares her mother’s room and tasks, so it’s only a trifle more.”
“Mark my words. Rumors and speculation will continue until you settle down—whether here or elsewhere.” A note of warning undergirded the older man’s tone.
“I appreciate your advice, sir. But there is no hurry. I am not yet thirty.”
Ursula offered, “I could draw up a list of potential candidates.”
“Ursula...” Miss Lotty admonished.
Not wanting the food to grow cold, Anne took a deep breath and pushed through the door with the tray.
Under her breath, Miss Birt said, “Speaking of candidates...”
Anne pretended not to hear. She kept her eye on the dishes she balanced. “Here we are.” As she placed the serving dishes on the table, she risked a glance at Ernest Finch and saw his reddened face.
Mercifully, when Anne took her seat, Ursula changed the subject. “So, Miss Anne, you have been at Painswick Court for about a week now. Have you seen the ghost?”
“Ursula, don’t,” Lotty warned.
“Why not? Many others have seen him.”
“Seen who?” Dr. Finch asked.
“King Charles the First. He is often seen around the grounds of Painswick Court.”
Ursula’s words stirred an old memory. Yes, Anne had heard such stories in the past. Jasper Paine and other lads had often told ghost stories in the graveyard, situated as it was directly adjacent to Painswick Court.
“I have not seen him, no,” Anne replied. “Except for a painting on the wall.”
“Well, don’t be shocked if you do!” Miss Birt turned to Dr. Finch. “You may not know, being a newcomer, but King Charles stayed at Painswick Court after the Siege of Gloucester in 1643. When he was later executed, his final words were ‘I shall go from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown, where no disturbance can be.’
“His ghost has been seen many times on the grounds, sometimes with his men. More than one person has heardthe sound of clanking armor as the king’s ghostly cavaliers suited up for battle.”
Anne shuddered.
“Hush, Ursula. You’re scaring Anne.”
Dr. Finch gave a rueful grin. “You’re scaring me too.”
“It’s true! Oh, and have you been down to the cells yet?” Ursula waggled her eyebrows like an impish girl.
