“How very considerate. Thank you. I shall take care not to spoil it.”
“I am sure you will. And whatever you do, don’t let Louie drool on it.” He winked. “Or worse.”
Anne smiled and then returned to the house, heart light.
She had not been back long when Dr. Marsland arrived to pay a call on their patient.
When he entered Lady Celia’s bedchamber, he handed each of them a small waxed-paper parcel. “From Miss Lotty. Despite her ankle, she managed to make sugared almonds. She remembered how much Anne likes them and asked me to bring along a packet for each of you.”
“Thank you, Dr. Marsland,” Anne said, accepting hers.Sohe has paid another call on ourmutual friend, she thought with interest.
Lady Celia seemed to take an interest as well, regarding him with a wry twist to her lips. “Miss Lotty, is it? Turned your attentions in that direction, have you?”
“I don’t know what you mean, my lady. Miss Newland and I are simply ... good friends.”
“Mm-hm.” Lady Celia set her packet on the bedside table. “I shall save these for later.”
Changing the subject, Dr. Marsland said, “There’s a bit of news I believe I ought to relay before you hear it from another source, as you are, of course, our most important patient.”
“Most important? I’ve seen little evidence of that. What news?”
“There are rumors circulating about my young partner. I wish to contradict any unsavory reports you might hear. Allow me to repeat what he told me when I confronted him about the matter. The fact is, he has a child living with him in Valley View Lodge, and him not a married man. Yet I assure you nothing untoward is going on. Dr. Finch is caring for the young son of his sister and brother-in-law, who have undertaken the long voyage to India and left their child under his guardianship.”
Lady Celia frowned in thought. “If that’s true, then why the need for secrecy and rumors? Why not make known that fact to begin with?”
“I suppose he worried that if I knew about the child from the onset I might not have offered him a partnership, believing it would interfere with his rounds and responsibilities. Thankfully, his housekeeper and her daughter take care of the child when he is out on calls.”
“Very well.” The older woman waved a dismissive hand. “Now, enough of that. Let’s talk aboutme, yourmost important patient.”
Lady Celia went on to ask him if he could give her anything to ease her nightmares. He considered and decided to increase her nightly dose of laudanum to see if that helped.
Laudanum was a potent mixture of opium and alcohol that could be dangerous in large amounts. Anne wondered if it might be making the bad dreams worse and thought the chamomile tea and lavender Dr. Finch suggested would be more effective. Yet she doubted Dr. Marsland would appreciate her interference. She decided she would mention the increased dosage to Dr. Finch and let the two physicians debate the merits and drawbacks between them.
That evening, Anne returned Lady Celia’s dinner tray to the kitchen, noting with satisfaction that she had eaten more than usual, her appetite somewhat improved.
On her way back upstairs, she heard voices coming from the parlour. Mr. Dalby, Colonel Paine, and Katherine were seated inside, dressed for dinner and talking among themselves.
Noticing her pass, Jasper Paine hailed her. “Anne, do come in and join us a minute, if you would.”
“Yes, anything new with Mamma?” Katherine added.
Anne reluctantly crossed the threshold. The colonel rose when she entered, but Mr. Dalby remained slouched in an armchair, glass of amber liquid in hand. Even so, the man was undeniably attractive in evening clothes. She reminded herself he was also a rake and turned her attention to Colonel Paine, who was rather handsome in formal attire as well.
“Tell us, what would you say Aunt Celia’s prognosis is?” Jasper asked. “Marsland and Finch are rather vague when pressed.”
“Dr. Marsland was here earlier and mentioned he increased her laudanum dosage,” Katherine said. “She sleeps so much as it is. Is there nothing else we can do for her?”
Anne answered their questions as best she could, though she could give no definitive prognosis either. She was about to excuse herself and go upstairs when the knocker sounded.
A moment later, Buxton showed in Albert Palling, who entered, hat in hand. The butler tried to take it, but the mill owner held on to it. “I’ll keep it, if you don’t mind. Won’t be staying long.”
“Mr. Palling, how good to see you,” Katherine said warmly. “Won’t you join us for dinner?”
“Thank you, no. Had mine an hour ago.”
“We dine later here, as fashionable people do,” Mr. Dalby said to his former brother-in-law. “Never could get used to the early mealtimes at Brook House.”
“Well, most of us keep early hours. Rise with the sun, if not before, and set to work. You wouldn’t know about that. Perhaps that’s why the mills are struggling.”
