The Apothecary's Daughter Part 24

Over tea, she asked her father about Charlie's position.

Her father nodded. "I'd heard they were looking for a lad. Told Charlie he might try for it."

"But why? "

"I haven't been able to look after him properly, Lilly. Shames me to say it, but there it is." He rubbed a hand over his whiskered cheeks. "At least there I knew he'd not be wandering about the county, getting himself in some sc.r.a.pe or other with his strange ways and spying and I know not what."

"He does not mean to spy."

He waved her words away. "I know, but it does look it. Bedsley Priors has changed, Lilly. Lots of new people have moved here, some of them quite rough. Most don't know how harmless Charlie is. He might be caught eavesdropping on some shady affair and pay a high price for it. I don't so much mind if they say he's off in his attic, but I could not bear to see any harm come to the boy."

"Of course not."

"At least at Marlow House he's kept busy. And has regular meals, which is more than I can say here."

She pushed his plate of bread and jam nearer to him. "Go on."

He bit off a small morsel. "Mr. Timms took him on as an apprentice of sorts. Marlow waived the apprenticeship fee, in lieu of wages. Though he'll start earning after six months' time, and it's been nearly three already."

"But surely now-"

"I'd hate for him to break the contract. No telling what young Marlow might say to that. Might demand the forfeited apprenticeship fee since Charlie didn't earn out his service, at least some settling up for room and board. It isn't done, Lilly. It would look very bad if Charlie quit, especially without proper notice."

"But, perhaps if I talked with him."

"You are going to talk sense to Roderick Marlow?"

"I meant Sir Henry."

"He leaves all of that to his son." He lifted his cup with a shaky hand. "Sir Henry is in better health than I am at present. But during his last illness he gave up the running of things. Roderick Marlow is master of the estate for all intents and purposes."

"Well, even he can't be devoid of all natural feeling. Once I explain the situation."

"And exactly how will you explain the situation?"

"With great tact and discretion you may depend upon it."

He shook his head. "I have no doubt you learned a fair dose of that in London, my dear. Go on then, but don't take it to heart if he isn't swayed."

She found Charlie still sitting beside the back door. "Charlie, I am going to see Mr. Marlow in a few minutes. See if we cannot work out some arrangement for a leave for you. Can you harness the gig, please?"

He hesitated, then nodded. "All right."

She stepped quickly across the mews to the coffeehouse. Mrs. Mimpurse and Mary were at the small kitchen table, enjoying a rare time of idle talk over tea.

"Mrs. Mimpurse, I'm riding out to Marlow House to see about getting Charlie released from his contract. Can you stop by and check on Father in the next hour or so? I shouldn't be gone long."

Mrs. Mimpurse looked her up and down. "You are going to Marlow House dressed like that?"

Lilly glanced down at the plain morning dress she had put on after church. "It isn't a social call. I merely wish to discuss business."

"Do you hope to sway Roderick Marlow with your words alone?"

"Well, yes."

Mrs. Mimpurse shook her head. "Tut, tut, Miss Lilly. Has your time in London taught you nothing?"

Two hours later, Lilly stood from her dressing table and pulled on her gloves. She wore one of her London gowns, a walking dress ofjaconet muslin with lovely pink embroidery up the front and three flounces at the hem. Over it, she wore a cottage mantle of grey cloth lined with pink silk to cover the low neckline and provide some protection from the slight chill in the air. She had hoped to take care of her errand earlier in the day, but it had taken time to bathe and dress in her petticoat, stockings, and boned stays. Mary had come over to help tighten the stays and then remained to dress her hair. Now rich auburn curls showed at one temple beneath a straw gypsy hat trimmed with ribbon. Mary had wanted her to wear one boasting fruit or ostrich feathers, but Lilly would have felt too self-conscious driving through the village in either of those.

"Thank you, Mary."

"Nervous?"

"Definitely," Lilly allowed.

"The worst he can do is say no."

Lilly drew in a breath. "Is it?"

"And who could say no to you, looking as pretty as you do? " Mary hesitated, then added gently, "I know you and your father need help, but it wouldn't be so bad if Charlie stayed there. I think he likes it."

"You are trying to comfort me, should I fail, I know. But I worry for Charlie. Would worry for anyone under such masters."

"But a Well, never mind," Mary said and adjusted the curl nearest Lilly's cheek one last time.

Lilly descended the stairs and went out the back door, only to see Charlie sitting in the slanting rays of late afternoon sunlight, much as she had left him two hours before. She looked out into the mews but saw no sign of the gig.

"Have you harnessed Pennywort to the gig?"

"Wheel's broke."

"Is it?" She bit back her frustration. "But you knew I was hoping to take it. You might have said so before."

"You're only going to Marlows'. *Tisn't far."

She huffed. "Oh, very well. I shall walk."

"Shall I come along?" He lurched to his feet. " *Ere's a pretty red-haired lady about the place now. Wouldn't mind clapping eyes on her again. All the lads say she's Burt handsome. Even Francis."

Lilly wondered if the red-haired lady was the woman she had seen with Roderick Marlow in London. "Please stay with Father, Charlie. If he needs anything, run over and ask Mrs. Mimpurse."

"All right." Still, he looked uncomfortable.

"Come on, Charlie," Mary said, joining them outside and clearly sensing his unease. "How about a game of draughts before I go?"

Charlie looked up eagerly at this suggestion.

Lilly smiled her grat.i.tude at Mary, then let herself from the gate.

Charlie was correct. Marlow House was not far. She had walked, even run that distance many times. But never in such fine dress, such delicate slippers, nor such tight stays.

She walked rather stiffly, hoping her hair, piled high on her head beneath her hat, would stay within its pins.

She approached Marlow House from the side and stopped abruptly. There, on the lawn, a man stood as still as a garden statue. She hesitated, then walked a few steps closer, staring at the man whose profile grew more familiar with each step.

No doubt hearing her footsteps on the gravel path, the man turned to look in her direction. "I say, you gave me a start."

Roger Bromley, here? In Bedsley Priors? Though she felt awkward and uncertain of how he might react to her presence, she was pleased to see him. She had always liked the man. She smiled at him, c.o.c.king her head to one side. Feeling the weighty crown of curls shift dangerously in that direction, she quickly righted it again.

"Miss Haswell?" Roger Bromley smiled in recognition and stepped to meet her. "I did not expect to see you here."

"Nor I you."

"What a pleasure." He bowed to her and she curtsied. "I have just come out for some air and a respite from silly females. I did not know you were joining the house party."

"Oh a" she faltered. "I am not. I live here in the village, that is."

"That's right! I'd quite forgotten you were from the same rustic country as Marlow."

She took a breath, her anxiety rising at the mention of his name. Hoping to disguise it, she asked brightly, "Is Christina Price-Winters here? "

"No. She is busy buying wedding clothes. Engaged herself to Stanton. Had you not heard?"

Lilly shook her head. She had guessed Christina would not keep in touch. Still, it hurt that she had not written with such significant news.

"But there are at least two others here of your acquaintance," Mr. Bromley continued. "Toby Horton and Miss Whittier."

"How nice for you."

Is it? "

"Oh dear. Has she thrown you over again?"

He eyed her wryly. "I would not say that, exactly, but yes, she has reverted to being quite cold to me."

"I am sorry to hear it. Perhaps you ought to invent another imminent engagement?" She bit back a smile. "Seemed quite effective the last time."

He laughed. "How deliciously forthright you are, Miss Haswell. I have missed you, though I know I have given little evidence of that."

"That is all right, Mr. Bromley," she said, relieved to feel no sting of regret. "I had no reason to expect correspondence."

"That's right, after throwing me over so heartlessly." He smiled at her, a teasing light in his eyes.

"Were you going in?" He offered her his arm.

"I do not wish to interrupt."

"No harm. Dinner will not be served for some time."

She had just laid her hand on his offered arm when Susan Whittier stepped out onto the veranda.

"Roger? I wondered where you had gone. Oh. h.e.l.lo."

"You remember Miss Haswell, do you not?"

"Yes. How do you do," the pretty blonde said. "I did not know you would be joining us."

"I am not-"

"Miss Haswell is neighbor to Marlow. Why do you think I was so eager to come to a Where are we again?"

"Bedsley Priors."

"Bedsley Priors. Charming place." He winked at Lilly.

"Did you not find him? " The familiar voice of Roderick Marlow caused Lilly's smile to fade. Her heart began to pound uncomfortably when he strode out onto the veranda in evening dress, his cravat and dark hair in elegant disarray.

Susan Whittier said, "I did. But he is occupied, as you see, with your Miss Haswell."

Marlow turned to stare at her, dark eyebrows rising before lowering in perplexity a or was it annoyance? Lilly felt her cheeks redden.

"My Miss Haswell?" Mr. Marlow repeated.

"She is your neighbor, is she not?" Miss Whittier all but accused.

He c.o.c.ked his head, considering. "Well, I suppose she is. Miss Haswell, what a surprise." He bowed.

"Forgive me. I did not know you had guests."

"No matter. I did not mean it was not a pleasant surprise. You are most welcome. I had forgotten you had friends among us."

"We enjoy only a limited acquaintance," Miss Whittier corrected. "Excuse me. I shall see you at dinner." At that, the blond woman turned and marched away.

Laying his hand over hers, Mr. Bromley escorted Lilly onto the veranda, where Mr. Marlow stood. There, Roger paused to beam down at her. "Miss Haswell quite broke my heart, Marlow. Did you not hear of it? She rejected me most cruelly."

"Did she?" Again Mr. Marlow's dark eyebrows rose.

Roger sighed dramatically. "Yes. But still, how pleased I am to see her again."