“Of course, my lady,” Peggy said.“Edward, boil the water in the big kettle...”
“I don’t suppose either of you have seen the silver candlesticks from the first-floor alcove?”
They both looked blank, so she left them to it.
She rather suspected Edward had been courting both maids and been caught.Which was why Peggy wouldn’t speak to him, and the weeping Becky wouldn’t speak to her.No wonder servant romance was forbidden in most respectable houses.Why was it allowed in this one?
***
PIERS DREW THE PROFESSORback to a walk—not the human professor but his equine namesake—and Hale and Fosterson soon caught up with him.
“That’s the same horse you had in Oxford,” Fosterson said, as though just discovering it.
“So it is.”
“Not tempted to buy something much showier and suitable to your rank?”Hale inquired.
“Oh, we’re used to each other,” Piers said vaguely.“What about you?Will you be able to keep a horse at your new living?”
“Oh, a couple, I should think.I rather fancy being a fashionable vicar with a curricle instead of an ancient gig.”
“I’m sure you’ll find a way.”Piers fixed him with his gaze.“Looking forward to it?”
Hale opened his mouth and closed it again.“No.IlikeOxford.How could you bear leaving?”
I didn’t.Not at first.“I had no choice.At least you got to make your own decision.”
Hale grunted.
“You’re not regretting it, are you?”Fosterson said uneasily.
“Of course not.I am the luckiest man alive to have won Claudia.I would give up more than an Oxford fellowship for that prize!What of you, Fosterson?Will you start your own practice?”
Fosterson wrinkled his nose.“Not sure I have the capital.I’d have to live and eat while gathering enough patients to be comfortable.Not easy in the country.”
“There’s London,” Piers said.“Gil Laine has set up there.”
“I know, but I couldn’t ride like this in London!My spirit would die.”
“There are parks,” Piers said mildly.“And it’s not so far to places like Richmond.”
“And there are other towns,” Hale added.“It’s not just a choice between London and rural life.Why don’t you look around Oxfordshire?We might end up as neighbours.”
Fosterson grinned.“Got any nice, fat estates in Oxfordshire, Withy?”
“Sadly not.And on the estates I do have, the physicians all seem pretty settled.I can certainly ask around, though.Only—wouldn’t you be bored with gentry ailments and the odd farmer’s broken bone to set?”
Fosterson sighed.“To be honest, I’m so full of ideas and contradictory plans that I have no notion what I want.Or what would bore me.I need about a year travelling to make up my mind!”
“Nonsense,” said Hale.“You just need the love of a good woman.Like me.”
Sensing Hale’s gaze, Piers looked at him.His old friend’s eyes were not exactly friendly.
“And Withy.”Fosterson sighed.“And Hubb.”
Piers wondered why Hale had not said that.Was he casting silent aspersions at April?As if she was not a good woman?His hackles rose.
“Anyway,” Fosterson said, “how would I keep said good woman?Supposing I was fortunate enough to find such a paragon who would tolerate me.”
