Laughter ensued, followed by the sound of Charles’ booming voice carrying across the garden. “There you are,” he said, striding along the path. “Welcome, both. Luncheon is almost ready.”
Louisa waited till they were seated at the table before mentioning the subject that lingered at the forefront of her brain. “I’m looking forward to visiting St. Giles House again,” she said. “We’ll have to take a carriage this time, though, because we’ve brought a trunk full of items for the men. Some clothing, and several blankets.”
The subsequent silence gave Louisa the impression she’d misspoken. Then Charles cleared his throat. “Thank you, both,” he said. “That’s very generous of you. The blankets, especially, will be most welcome come winter.”
“Yes, indeed,” Jane said. “You are both so kind.”
Smiling, Maxwell inclined his head in acknowledgement, but said nothing.
“It’s our pleasure.” Louisa glanced around the table. “How are things at St. Giles?”
“We’ve lost two residents since you were last here, I’m afraid.” Charles said, soberly. “One died peacefully in his sleep, the other collapsed in the garden and died shortly thereafter. The doctor suspects a bleed to the brain caused the latter.”
“Oh, how sad.” Louisa’s hands clenched. “Was one of them… I mean, is Samuel all right?”
“Frederick, the one who died in his sleep, shared Samuel’s room,” Jane replied, her eyes flicking, briefly, to Charles, “but Samuel is quite well.”
“Thank goodness.” Louisa fiddled with the pearl pendant at her throat. “I mean, I’m truly sorry about the others, but I’m glad that Samuel is well. I’m looking forward to seeing him again. And what of young Tom?”
“Tom is also fine.” Charles frowned and cleared his throat again. “I must tell you, Louisa, that I’ve given much thought to Samuel’s strange reaction to you, and I believe it’s probably best that you avoid him when you visit St. Giles today.”
“Avoid?” A flush of heat arose in her cheeks. “Why?”
Jane reached over and gave Louisa’s hand a squeeze. “He was quite agitated after your last visit, dearest. Hardly ate a thing for three days and wouldn’t even play dominoes with young Tom. He’s now back to his normal self, but given what occurred previously, he’ll be tucked away in his room during our visit today. I’m sorry, but we just don’t want to risk another episode like that. We have to consider his well-being. I’m sure you understand.”
Louisa’s featherlight mood popped like a soap bubble. “I understand, of course,” she replied, forcing a smile. “I certainlyhave no wish to upset him. May I ask if he’s spoken since my last visit?”
“Not a word,” Charles replied.
“I see.” She looked down at the untouched raspberry tart on her plate, which no longer tempted her. “Oh, well.”
“Do you want to cancel the visit, Louisa?” Maxwell asked, gently. “We don’t have to go if you don’t feel like it.”
“No, of course we don’t.” Jane squeezed Louisa’s hand once more. “Perhaps we could just take a walk along the river instead.”
Louisa shook her head emphatically. “Goodness, no, I don’t want to cancel the visit. I’m still looking forward to it.”
Though not nearly as much, she thought, her mind continuing to mull as the conversation picked up around her. She listened in with only half-an-ear, while in her head she went over her first meeting with Samuel. His initial reaction, his tears, his lopsided smile, and the utterance of those two little words; one that made sense, the other that surely meant nothing to anyone but him. Perhaps he’d been agitated when she left, but in the beginning, he’d been happy to see her.
Happy.
“I disagree with your decision to keep me away from Samuel,” she announced, her interruption silencing all other conversation. “In fact, I believe you are wrong to do so.”
“Louisa, please.” Maxwell’s tone was no longer gentle. “You’ll respect Charles’ wishes on this issue.”
“That’s all right, Maxwell, I’ll hear her.” Charles leaned forward. “I’m always willing to listen to other points of view. Go ahead, my dear. Explain why you think it’s wrong.”
“Thank you.” Frowning, she looked down at the untouched tart again and gathered her thoughts. “I remember something you said the last time I was at St. Giles, Charles,” she began, raising her head to look at him. “You’d said you’dalways believed there was something going on behind Samuel’s mangled face. As I recall, you described him as a wonderful mystery. Forgive me, then, if I fail to comprehend why you choose to ignore what might be a way to solve that mystery. For some unknown reason, Samuel reacted to me in a way he’d never reacted to anyone before. Hespoketo me. A man who, according to you, had never uttered a word in all the months he’d been at St. Giles. For the short time I was with him, it appears something inside him came back to life. Surely, such an unusual response should be explored rather than ignored. Indeed, I daresay it should be encouraged. Or perhaps you’d prefer he remain in his calm, oblivious state till he, too, simply passes away in his sleep.
Personally, I think that would be a shame, since it seems he still possesses the ability to communicate. I believe I should be allowed to see him, to see if he responds to me as he did before, and to encourage whatever it is he’s trying to express. Please consider it. Please.” Heart thudding frantically beneath her ribs, Louisa sat back, stuck her hands under the table, and crossed her fingers.
As she’d spoken, the hint of a smile had settled on Maxwell’s face. “That was quite the rebuttal, my dear,” he said.
“Indeed, it was.” Jane regarded her husband. “Charles?”
Bushy brows knitted together, Charles continued to stare at Louisa, seemingly reflecting on what had been said. Then he blinked, lips firming as he inhaled through his nose before releasing a breath. “Very well,” he said, startling Louisa when his hand slapped the table. “I’ll allow it, but not without some reservation, and I insist upon being an observer.”
“As do I,” Maxwell added. “You’ll not be left alone with him, Louisa.”
