Concern rose. “I hope you were not scalded.”
“No. By the time the girl arrived the tea was lukewarm at best.”
“A blessing in this case. I am sorry that happened. Here, let’s get you into a dry gown.”
Rosa came in from the dressing room, having already put away her outdoor things. Perhaps hoping her absence had not been noticed?
She hurried forward to assist, and Anne did not miss the guilty flush on her lovely face. “Oh no, what’s happened?”
“Don’t fuss,” Lady Celia snapped. “I said you both might go to church. Though I expected you back before now.”
Rosa sent Anne a nervous look, likely afraid she would mention not seeing her in the service. “I am sorry, my lady. I ... got to talking with ... an acquaintance, and lost track of the time. I hope you were all right during my absence?”
“Had a nice dousing of tea, but otherwise I managed to survive without you.”
When Lady Celia was dry and settled once more, Anne readied to leave for her weekly afternoon at Yew Cottage. “You will be here this time?” Anne asked Rosa on her way out.
The lady’s maid nodded. “I will. I promise.”
When Anne arrived at Yew Cottage, she found the two older women waiting for her, Charlotte Newland sitting with her foot on a little stool.
“How is the ankle, Miss Lotty?”
“Coming along well, according to Dr. Marsland. Dr. Finch prescribed a series of gentle exercises that seem to be helping. I might be able to get around with crutches in a week or so.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
Miss Birt waggled her eyebrows and leaned near her friend. “Dr. Marsland asked most particularly that we pass along his greetings to you and his hope that you will be able to join him at church soon.”
“Joinus,” Anne mildly corrected. She enjoyed Miss Lotty’s blush of pleasure, but she did not wish to exaggeratethe man’s interest and raise Miss Lotty’s hopes should it all come to nothing.
Anne went to put the kettle on and then helped Dinah carry out the food.
After praying over the meal, Lotty asked, “So what did I miss?”
Anne summarized the sermon, and Ursula described Miss Fitzjohn’s spencer and hat.
“Oh, and I spoke to Mrs. Tufley,” Ursula added. “Dr. Finch’s housekeeper? She told me that not only does the new doctor have a young woman coming to his house at odd hours, but he has a baby as well.”
“A baby!” Miss Lotty’s mouth fell open in shock.
Ursula nodded. “Perhaps three or four months old. Mrs. Tufley’s daughter is acting as nursemaid to the wee thing.”
Lotty lowered her voice. “Dr. Finch is not married.”
“I know!” Ursula replied, eyes dancing in scandalized delight.
A swell of protectiveness filled Anne, and she spoke up in his defense, even as she suspected there was more to the story than he’d told her. “It is not scandalous. Dr. Finch told me he is caring for his sister’s child. She and her husband have gone to India and they asked him to care for the child during their absence.”
“Really? With the East India Company or as missionaries, or ...?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”
Miss Birt tilted her head to one side and said dubiously, “Sister’s child, ey? I don’t know if I believe that. His housekeeper says he’s awful affectionate to the mite, whoever he is. Name is Robbie.”
“The young woman who comes to his house,” Miss Lotty asked, “do we know who she is?”
“Not yet. Mrs. Tufley has been mum on the subject.” Ursula raised a pointer finger. “But I shall ferret it out!”
