“How do youbear it?” She shook her head, realizing she wasn’t explaining herself very well. “First with your husband and now with Henry. To know they face danger each and every day when they go to work, to be unsure whether they will return…” Was she strong enough to endure the fear of losing him on any given day?
Sympathy shone in Mrs. Field’s eyes. “I won’t lie. It wasn’t easy, it still isn’t. But I have come to realize that such things could happen to any of us. A tree might fall on the house and take our lives. A coach could strike us as we cross the street. A fever could turn in the night. Life is finite. I decided years ago to keep my attention on enjoying time with those I love rather than worrying about whatmighthappen.”
“Very wise, but easier said than done,” Amelia murmured.
Her hostess’s smile tightened. “I am not always successful. Days like this are a test.”
“In many ways.” Amelia smiled. “Thank you for sharing that. It is very...helpful.”
Mrs. Field held out her hand, and Amelia took it. “I just have to say how happy Thurmond and I are that Henry found you.”
Amelia’s breath caught, and some of the weight in her heart lifted. “As am I. He is a wonderful man, and I greatly admire him.”
“I know he feels the same about you. In truth, I was beginning to fear the only love he’d find was his work, so I’m especially grateful the two of you are—”
“How is our patient?” Mr. Field entered the drawing room, glancing between them as if to gauge for himself based on their expressions.
“Hurting enough to agree to a whiskey but not laudanum,” Mrs. Field advised with a warm smile. She handed the drink she’d poured to her husband. “Perhaps you should have a word with him.”
He took the glass with a sigh. “Can’t say that I blame him, I don’t care for the stuff either. Makes my head heavy. Maybe this will be enough to take the edge off his pain. If not, I’ll return for the decanter,” he suggested with a teasing smile directed at his wife.
“You will most definitely not.” Mrs. Field waved him away. “That would only give him a headache of a different sort.”
Her husband chuckled as he headed for the door. “True enough.”
Mrs. Field shook her head with a wry smile. “Will you join me for tea, Mrs. Greystone, while Thurmond keeps Henry company for a time?”
“I should like that very much. Thank you.” A cup of tea was just what she needed. Returning to Henry’s side while upset wouldn’t aid him, and it was lovely to spend a little time with both his parents, sharing their concern for the man they all loved.
Loved. In some ways, Amelia’s upset was made worse by their declaration to one another so recently. Since that moment the future had felt light and sunny and full of hope. Now she couldn’t see beyond the next hour or so. She liked to think that was temporary, until Henry recovered; but only time would tell.
Soon the two ladies were settled in chairs, a tea tray and a selection of sandwiches and biscuits before them. Amelia was more than grateful for the distraction, taking comfort in the ritual.
“I am pleased we have a few more minutes to visit together,” Mrs. Field said after a sip of tea. “Henry mentioned your experiment on fertilizers, and I have been quite anxious to hear the results.”
“Oh, yes. I meant to share them with you.” With everything going on, she’d nearly forgotten. Amelia had conducted the experiment over the last couple of months to see what helped pea pods grow the best. “As he might have shared, I tested five different methods, including crushed eggshells, used tea leaves, ammonium nitrate dissolved in distilled water, plain soil with nothing added, and finally one with both tea leaves and eggshells.”
“Fascinating. Your knowledge in the field is impressive. And what did you discover?”
“The ammonium nitrate was by far the most effective.” She frowned as she mentally sorted through her findings, not wanting to bore Mrs. Field with too many technical details. “That result was a little disappointing, though, as I would prefer to use a more natural additive. And it seemed to produce more leaves than actual pods, which is obviously not the true desired result.”
“How interesting.” Mrs. Field frowned as she selected a sandwich. “Natural would be preferable.”
“Definitely. The combination of tea leaves and crushed eggshells was fairly effective. While the improved results were modest, I tend to think the benefits of stronger stems will eventually yield more pods in the long term. Further experimentation and documentation are needed to know for certain.”
“I can’t imagine how you have come to know so much about chemistry and experimentation. I truly admire you for it.” The approval in Mrs. Field’s expression warmed Amelia, easing the cold which had clutched her since learning of Henry’s injuries.
“Thank you. I enjoy it very much and look forward to more testing.” Amelia hesitated, uncertain whether it would be wise to share her hopes for helping Henry. Yet if she wanted an honest relationship with Henry’s parents, the sort that truly mattered, this was her chance to begin as she meant to go on; with the hope they appreciated her forthrightness.
Where to start? “I am in the process of learning more about forensic science methods,” she began cautiously. “The knowledge could prove helpful to Henry on occasion.”
Mrs. Field’s eyes widened with surprise, but Amelia couldn’t determine whether she approved or not. “How...interesting.”
“Yes, it is. I’ve acquired a book which shares various techniques and am hoping a few might be of assistance in his cases.” She hesitated when the older woman’s expression didn’t change. “In an unofficial capacity, of course.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Field nodded slowly. “I confess, I never would’ve thought to aid Thurmond in such a manner.”
Amelia’s breath caught, and she dearly hoped she hadn’t somehow offended her.
