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“I jus’ took Adam to Mrs. Potter. Mam can’t nurse him no more, and Mrs. Potter has a baby and can feed them both. She said she’d keep ’im till Mam is well again.” He looked over at the bed, and his chin quivered slightly. “Mrs. Potter can’t take Asher though. She has five little ’uns already.”

“I will take Asher,” Jane said.

There was a moment of complete silence. Charlie looked stunned. Alice looked concerned. But to Jane’s relief, Aunt Millward looked to be in full agreement.

“You, miss?” Charlie obviously needed clarification.

“Yes. I shall take him with me to Charwell Park. You can send word there when your mother is recovered.” Jane did not speak the words “if she recovers,” but they hung in the air between them.

Charlie shuffled his feet. “I should speak with me father. ’E—”

“He could ask for nothing more,” Aunt Millward interrupted. “If he wishes to discuss things further or see Asher, he can come to Charwell Park anytime. In the meantime, the young children shall be taken care of and a doctor will come to see his wife.” She gave Charlie a pointed look. “And after you have spoken to the doctor, you should see to cleaning up the mess in there.” She pointed into the foul-smelling bedchamber. “Your mother deserves better.”

Charlie shifted uncomfortably. “Yes, m’lady.”

“Very well,” Aunt Millward said. “You’d best be off to find the physician.”

With a last look at the distant bed and a respectful nod directed at Aunt Millward and Jane, he tore down the stairs again.

Jane squeezed Asher’s hand gently. “How would you feel about a carriage ride, Asher?”

“With howses?”

“Yes. With two real horses.”

“Is Mrs. Stanley coming?”

Jane shook her head. “No. She’s not well enough this time.”

He seemed to consider that. “I don’t have my shoes.”

“Would you like me t’ find them, miss?” Alice asked.

“No, thank you, Alice. I do not know exactly how that awful disease entered this house, but I’d rather leave everything behind except Asher.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Aunt Millward said. “And to that end, we should go.” She started down the stairs. “We can do nothing more for that poor woman.”

Jane looked back at the bed. “I shall take care of Asher.” She spoke loudly enough for it to be heard across the room. “Charlie has gone for the doctor. I pray he will be able to help you.”

“May I take Asher down the stairs, miss?” Alice asked.

Jane gave her a grateful smile. After having been the recipient of the maid’s thoughtfulness several times before, her offer should not have come as a surprise. “Thank you, Alice. I daresay I would manage the stairs better on my own.”

Alice nodded and extended her arm toward Asher. “Come along, lad.”

Asher offered Jane a questioning look, and when she nodded, he took Alice’s hand without another word. Alice moved to one side so Jane could begin her descent first. Jane set her cane securely on the first step and paused as the magnitude of what she had just agreed to do began to settle upon her. She was a cripple and needed more help than she was often willing to admit.

“Do you have much experience with young children, Alice?” she asked.

“I’m the oldest of six, miss.” She gave Asher a fond look. “All boys, they are. And all back in Yorkshire.”

“You miss them,” Jane said.

“I do. Somethin’ terrible.” She stopped, and a hint of color touched her cheeks. “Not that I’m not ’appy here, miss. I love workin’ for yer family. Really, I do.”

“We are lucky to have you. But tell me, if I somehow managed to persuade my mother to relieve you of some of your domestic duties in favor of helping with child care, would you like that?”

“Oh, yes, miss.” Alice beamed. “I think this little lad and me would get along famously.”