“What are you saying?” her sister questioned with a warning.
“That we should have my belongings moved to the school and I can help take care of the girls who become ill. That is all.”
Her sister stared into Eve’s eyes. Cait knew what Eve was about and hoped she didn’t say anything in front of these three girls.
“Are you certain? Don’t you wish to see if Lady Norbright might need our assistance?”
In other words, her sister was asking if Eve was certain she didn’t wish to see Lord Kilsyth.
“They have a house full of servants and only four guests. The school has at least three dozen students and is lightly staffed.”
Again, Cait held her eyes. “If this is what you want.”
No, it wasn’t what she wanted but it was the only option. Kilsyth could not know that she was here. Eve needed that time and distance to mend her heart and he needed time to forget she existed, otherwise, he might order her right back to London, which was his right since he was her guardian.
“Very well,” her sister finally said then turned to the girls. “Have Mrs. Norbright send our belongings to the school. We will go there now to offer what assistance we can.”
The three nodded and hurried off to the manor.
“Are you certain this is what you want, Eve?” Cait asked.
“I’m certain this is what I need.”
* * *
Henry had stood at the top of the cliff and observed Eve and her sister walk along the beach and then discard their shoes and stockings before wading into the ocean. His heart clenched at the sight of her and the way her blond hair was tossed by the wind, and the way the wind pressed the gown against her lush body. The exposed, perfectly formed legs only made him want her more. But, instead of acting on need and desire, he simply observed the two sisters. They needed each other at the moment and despite what appeared to be a carefree day to any casual observer, Henry recognized the sadness in both women. And, as much as he wanted to go to her, he would not intrude so eventually, he returned to the manor.
Lady Norbright had told them that Eve was staying with them, along with her sister, Caitlin, and soon enough the two would return. Eve might be shocked at his presence, but once she moved past that, they’d have a long discussion.
However, she didn’t return and as time passed, he almost abandoned the library and went after her, but was stopped by the arrival of three students. He’d already seen the three removed from Harrington Manor earlier. What cause did they have to return?
The girls were animated, that was for certain.
“Measles?” Henry overheard Lady Norbright exclaim as he walked further toward the entrance.
“Miss Doyle and the woman with her have decided to return to the school to help since they had suffered from the illness when they were younger and wish to have their items sent over.”
Henry’s stomach tightened. Eve was not coming back?
“Mrs. Wiggons wanted us to warn you that you may have been exposed. She’s sending for the doctor.”
“Thank you for letting me know,” Lady Norbright finally said. “I’ll have the belongings of the Misses Doyle delivered.”
The three girls straightened. “They are both Miss Doyle?”
“Yes, sisters, not that it is any concern of yours.”
“Of course, it isn’t,” the redhead announced. “We will be on our way.”
“Lady Norbright,” the housekeeper called as she bustled down the corridor. “We must call a physician.”
Lady Norbright turned with alarm. “What is wrong Mrs. Whipple?”
The older woman wrung her hands. “Peters went down to the beach to do some fishing and was attacked by a seal and bitten.”
“Bitten?” Henry found himself asking. Eve had just been down there. Were seal so dangerous?
“It’s never happened before,” the housekeeper insisted. “But, when he returned to the manor and entered the kitchen, Cook was so startled by his appearance that she burned her hand and then a kitchen maid slipped on the water that Cook spilled in the process.”
