“It would be best if we know for certain if anyone else is ill.”
As the parlor door was open, Violet decided that their conversation was not meant to be private. Therefore, it wasn’t necessary that she linger in the corridor. Besides, she needed to know if Silvia was within. If not, Violet would alert her friend immediately so that she’d not miss this opportunity to be near the good doctor in hopes that he too might experience the certain signs of attraction and desire to court Silvia.
At her entrance, Dr. Talbot came to his feet and nodded in greeting. “Lady Violet.”
“Dr. Talbot,” she returned. “Did I hear correctly? Has someone contracted measles?”
“Henry,” Mrs. Harley answered.
Violet frowned. “The young footman? How dreadful.”
“Would you please summon the housekeeper, dear.”
“Of course.” Violet crossed to the bellpull, noting that Silvia was not within. With those thoughts, she would need to excuse herself to locate her dear friend.
“Have you been in the household long, Lady Violet?” Dr. Talbot asked.
“I arrived yesterday afternoon.”
He pulled back, his brown eyes widening in surprise, or perhaps it was alarm. Violet did not yet know him well enough to interpret his facial reaction, and she hated to assume when not certain.
“I was to understand that your father was having a house party,” he said after a moment.
All of Laswell knew of her father’s plans, but few knew why. “That is the very reason I’m visiting with Silvia, and the Harleys were kind enough to extend an invitation so that I could vacate Forester Hall until the guests have departed.”
“I believe you are the first lady who has avoided a house party.”
“Its purpose is matchmaking, and I have no desire to be matched.”
“I hope your decision does not cause you to become ill.”
It was almost as if Dr. Talbot were scolding her. As he was not a relative, it should not be his concern. “I experienced measles as a child. A rather severe case. Or so I’m told.”
“Such a terrible tragedy,” Mrs. Harley tsked.
Violet inwardly groaned. She detested having her family discussed, and Mrs. Harley did love to gossip.
“The entire family was afflicted, with the exception of His Grace and his mother.” Mrs. Harley shook her head. “Violet’s mother and her sister didn’t survive.”
“I’m terribly sorry for your loss, Lady Violet,” Dr. Talbot murmured.
“Thank you,” she returned, not wishing to discuss the matter any further. It still pained her, even though it had been several years since the occurrence.
Violet had been one of the last in her family to become ill and by the time she’d been allowed to leave her sick bed, Amelia and Mother were already gone and buried. Violet hadn’t even been given an opportunity to say goodbye. For an eight-year-old, that had been more traumatic than nearly dying from the disease. To make the year more painful, her beloved grandfather had died a few months later.
As she had no desire to reminisce about those painful days, Violet turned her thoughts to something over which she had some semblance of control: Silvia had not yet come downstairs. Her friend would be devastated at having missed the visit from Dr. Talbot, even if he were only here to deliver distressing news.
“Yes, Mrs. Harley?” the housekeeper asked as she entered the parlor.
“Is anyone else ill.”
Mrs. Buckley frowned. “Miss Harley is still abed and complained of a cough and the sniffles. Cook has sent up some tea.”
Violet sucked in a breath and dearly hoped her friend suffered only a minor ailment and not the dreaded measles.
She quickly pushed the panic aside. It was an irrational response, as she had no control over the situation. As much as she wished there were a cure, there wasn’t, and getting upset would solve nothing and often robbed the person from acting in a sensible manner.
Dr. Talbot focused on Mrs. Harley. “Did your daughter have measles as a child?”
