“Don’t be an idiot.”
Finn scowled. “I’m not. For once, I’m trying to do the right thing.”
Brody scrubbed a hand over his face. “Why the hell couldn’t you have decided to do sobeforekissing Lady Fiona?”
Or gambling away my money?
“Doing so would have been wisest, I’ll agree. But what’s done is done and it’s time for me to face the consequences of my actions.”
“On a dueling field.” Brody shook his head. “I trust you’ll choose swords?”
Finn’s answering nod was a small relief. “My marksmanship is abysmal, so that would be the prudent decision.”
“I still intend to find a way out of this mess. For now, let’s agree that your late-night diversions are over and done with.” When Finn appeared on the verge of protesting, Brody informed him, “I cannot afford additional mishaps right now.”
It took a moment for Finn to respond, but he finally nodded. “I understand.”
“Good.” Brody crossed to the door. “There’s a plate of food for you in the dining room in case you’re hungry. I myself am for bed since I’ve got to rise in five hours. I’ll see you tomorrow after work. I expect you to be home then.”
“I will be,” Finn assured him. “Thank you, Brody.”
Brody muttered a quick, “Goodnight,” and left, no less worried about his brother’s fate than he’d been a half hour earlier.
9
When Harriet woke, she went about her usual morning routine. Once dressed, she was about to set the table for breakfast when a low groan brought her attention to Lucy. She glanced at her sister just in time to watch her roll to her stomach and vomit onto the floor.
Harriet grabbed a bucket and rushed to her bedside. With gentle movements, she held her sister’s hair back while the poor girl continued to empty her stomach. When Lucy finally sighed and slumped against her bed, Harriet placed one hand on her brow. It was burning hot.
“Did you feel sick last night before bed or at any time during the night?” Harriet asked.
“No. Only now. My head hurts, and my stomach. I…” A distressed look filled her eyes and she suddenly leaned back over the side of the bed and vomited once more.
Not knowing why Lucy was sick since they’d had the same dinner, Harriet worried it might be something more serious than an upset stomach. She collected a glass of water and helped Lucy drink a little. She then cleaned up the mess on the floor while deciding what to do next. Ordinarily, she had to provide Mr. Hudson with advance notice if she required a day off work.
Lucy retched again and whimpered softly afterward in a clear show of pain.
Harriet checked her forehead once more, just to be sure. There was no mistaking the fever or the fact that Lucy was ill. These things happened. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, however inconvenient it was for a number of reasons. One being the cost of the doctor.
She opened the wardrobe and kneeled so she could retrieve the box she kept tucked away on the floor all the way at the back. It contained her savings – the money she had been putting toward the finishing school she hoped Lucy might one day attend. This was the plan – to provide Lucy the life that should have been hers, had their parents lived. It would now be delayed once more, but that couldn’t be helped. Ensuring Lucy’s health had to come first.
“I’m going to fetch the doctor. Would you like a piece of bread or a cup of tea before I go?”
Lucy shook her head. “Please hurry back.”
“I will. I promise.” She put on her cap and left, clattering down the stairs and bursting out onto the street in her haste to get help.
With two pounds tucked in her pocket, she hurried toward the end of the street and turned right. The doctor she’d used when Lucy had measles last year wasn’t far. And he’d been fairly decent, Harriet thought. The advice he’d offered seemed to have helped at the time.
She turned a corner and crossed the street. The alleyway up ahead provided a shortcut. She darted along it, not noticing right away that a couple of scruffy men loitered at the far end, until one of them laughed.
Harriet came to a halt and considered her options. The men did not look the least bit good-natured, and now they were staring in her direction with a bit too much interest for her liking.
“Oi!” one of them called as he pushed away from the building he’d been leaning against. “Can we help you with something?”
Harriet shook her head, only slightly appeased by the fact that they’d think her a young man. “No thanks. I…um…think I took a wrong turn.”
She started backing away, only to find her path blocked by what felt like an unyielding wall. Turning, she glanced at the obstacle. A shiver spread over her shoulders.
