“Yes, we do.” Charles patted Samuel’s shoulder. “I’ll have Tom brought in to keep this gentleman company. They’ve struck up a friendship of sorts.”
“Yes, Jane mentioned it.” Louisa smiled at Samuel. “It was a pleasure to meet you, sir. I shall look forward to my next visit.”
He blinked his blue eye and then looked down at the dominoes. “Play.”
“Come, my dear, we must go.” Maxwell placed a hand on Louisa’s back. “It’s getting late.”
She nodded her assent and followed Jane and Charles into the hallway. They had barely taken a half-dozen steps when a clatter arose from behind them.
Louisa gasped and halted, looking back at Samuel’s doorway. “Goodness! What was that?”
“Stay here.” Charles exchanged a brief glance with Maxwell and went to investigate. He halted on the threshold and muttered something under his breath. Moments later, he rejoined them, a smile on his face.
“Is he all right?” Louisa asked.
“Oh, yes. Nothing to worry about. A few of the dominoes fell on the floor, that’s all. Samuel does tend to be a little bit clumsy. I’ll have someone pick them up when they bring Tom inside.”
Louisa said little as they walked back to the rectory. They didn’t there linger long. By the time they clambered into the carriage, the afternoon had almost gone. Louisa, clutching the promised bottle of Jane’s rose water, settled at Maxwell’s side, heaving a sigh as she tucked her arm through his.
“You must be fatigued,” he said, as they set out. “It’s been a long day.”
Several moments passed in which he could almost hear the cogs turning in her mind. She fidgeted against him and spoke at last. “Papa once told me that some of the most precious things in life are the special memories we collect on the way. Unique little moments that stay with us as long as our memory serves. He calls them trinkets.” She released a sigh. “I collected a trinket today, Max. Specifically, my game of dominoes with Samuel.”
“You certainly made an impression on him,” Maxwell replied.
“Yes, it would seem so. I wonder what his story is?”
“We’ll never know.”
“No, probably not.” She stifled a yawn. “You have no objection to me returning for a visit?”
“None, just as long as you have a chaperone. Me, preferably.”
“Samuel is harmless, Max. Besides, you’re away so much, who knows when I might be able to return?”
“Nevertheless.”
“Mmm, well.” Another yawn materialized as she rested her head against his shoulder. “Frankly, I’m too tired to argue about it right now.”
“There will be no argument.” He glanced down at her and inhaled the soft scent of her hair. “Sleep if you wish, my dear. It’ll be a while before we’re home.”
She fell silent, though her fidgeting told him she was still awake. Then, “I have something to ask you,” she said.
“Go on.”
“It’s about Tom, the young man in the bathchair.” She raised her head to look at him. “I’d like us to do something for him.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I wonder if we might arrange for his mother to visit St. Giles House. She’s a widow with little means, so isn’t able to make the journey but once a year.”
Maxwell shifted in his seat. “Louisa, we can’t provide for everyone.”
“I’m not asking you to do so. Please, Max.”
He sighed. “I’ll consider it.”
She nestled against him again. “Thank you.”
