Introduction
EvangelineNightingalehasalwayseschewedthenotionofmarriage,havingwitnesseditsfailuresinherownfamilylineage. Instead, she has devoted her life to the noble pursuitofhealing, becomingrenownfor her miraculous abilities froma young age Yet,whenshecrossespathswithLordLeonardCampbell,hercourageisputtotheultimatetest Unveilingasinisterplot, shemusttreadcarefullytoprotectherblossomingaffectionforhim… Willsheuntanglethetruthbeforedangerconsumesthemboth?
LordLeonardCampbell,DukeofSomerset,isburdenedbytherecentlossofhisbrother-in-law Dutycompelshimtoreturn his grievingsister and nephew to the family's ancestral home, where he retreats into solitude alongside his aunt. However, whenhissister'sneedforassistancecompelshertohireanursemaid,Leonard'scarefullyconstructedwallsbegintocrumble inthepresenceofthecaptivatingEvangeline.
WillLeonardhonorhispriorcommitment,orwillEvangeline'spresencedismantlehisdefenses?
Evangeline and Leonard are caught up ina web ofdeceit and rivalryas tensions rise withinthe household. Witha jealous friend,aninquisitivevicar,andaspurnedwomancomplicatingmatters,theirburgeoningconnectionfacesnumerousobstacles. Willtheyuntangletheintricaciesoftheirintertwinedfates,orwilltheyremainisolatedbytheghostsoftheirpasts?
Thoughtheparlorwasfilledwithsunshine,theheartsofthosepartakinginteawithintheroomcouldn'thavebeenmuchdarker. LordLeonardCampbell,TheDukeofSomerset,feltasthoughthegriefandtensionintheroomweresuffocatinghim Ifitweren'tforthefactthathesatinthecompanyofhissisterandfavoriteaunt,hemightwellhavealreadyexcusedhimself. Yet,hehadbeendoingthatfartoooftenoflate,andthoughhewasgrievingthelossofhisoldestanddearestfriend,TheEarl ofRutland,LordDanielWilloughby lostatwarsomefourmonthsago hehadnorighttoclaimtheworstofthegrief
Thatbelonged to his little sister, Elizabeth, The Countess ofRutland whose stomachstill bore the final swellings ofchildbearingsometwomonthsafterbirthingahealthybabyboy
The child was a blessing, fair haired and strong, justlike his father had been. He laid happilyinhis basket, bathinginthe sunshine to his mother's left, while the wetnurse stood offto one side awaitingher nextsignal thatthe tinynoblemanmight needsomething
The Earl of Rutland, only two months old and he already has women fawning all over him Leon,ashisfriendsandfamily calledhim,thoughtquiteproudlyofhisnephew,thoughwithgreatsadnessatthelossofhisclosestfriend, just like his father and uncle
ThefactthatDaniel wouldnever meethis namesakemadeLeonsicktohis stomach Iftherewas aGod,hewas acruel and viciousoneindeed
“You are looking well, Elizabeth,” his Aunt Violet was the one to break the silence that had stretched out for near on ten minutessincetheyhadallsatdowntotea Itwassomethingofaritualtheyhadcometoshare Alldressedinblackmourning clothes,allsittinginveritablesilence,sharingineachother'scompanyandeachother'sgriefwithoutreallysharinginanything atall.
Andofthemall,Violetappearedtobe the one attemptingtobreakthemall outofthat After all,thoughshe was forty-six elevenyearsLeon'ssenior shewasyoungatheart,quitenaiveattimesandoverlyinnocent.All reasonswhyLeoninsisted sheremainwiththemattheirancestralhomeinSomerset.
WithWayfordVillageonlyacoupleofmilesdowntheroadandmanyafarmerlivingoffhisland,theyallhadeverythingthey neededtoliveandgrieveinpeace.
Thoughoflateitseemedalltheyhadbeendoingwasgrieving.ThelivingappearedtohavebeenputonpausesinceDaniel's death,evenmoresosincelittleDanielJunior’sarrival.
AndthoughVioletwasright,inthatElizabethwassittingstraighter,dressedmoreneatlyandherhairwasnotflyingoutatodds andends,shestillstaredoffatafixedpointbehindLeon'shead,andthedullnessinheroncejoyfulbrowneyesdisquietedher brother'ssoul ThelivelyamberflecksthathadoncebouncedaboutheririsesseemedentirelygoneandLeonprayeddailyfor theirreturn
Yethis owngriefweighed himdownand he had no wayofknowinghow to heal her whenhe could notevenheal his own brokenheart
Violetdidallshecouldforthembothbuttherewasverylittlethatwouldhelp.NotevenholdingDanielJuniorseemedtoease hissister'ssuffering Infact,sheseemedtoholdhimlessandlessoflate,hereyesonlygrowingduller,pronetooutburstsof ragethatleftthewetnurseclamoringtotakethebaby Itwasapainfulthingtowitness,andLeon'shelplessnessonlygrewstronger.HisonlysavinggracewasVioletwhoappeared utterlydeterminedtogetthingsbacktonormalasquicklyaspossible
“Elizabeth?”Violetsaid,layingahandonherniece'swhereitrestedwithherteacuponherlap.
Leonflinchedjustwatchingthewayhissisterjumpedatthetouch.
“Please,”Elizabeth’stoneborderedonawhimper,“Don'ttouchme” “Ofcourse,SweetGirl,”Violetsaid,andLeon'sheartclenchedatthepetnameshehadalwayscalledElizabeth Itfeltwrong now Elizabethwasnotachildanymore Shewasagrownwomanwithachildofherown,awidowatonlytwenty-fivewhen sheoughttohavebeenrevelingintheblissofmarriedlife,withabrand-newbabybroughtintotheworld.“Whateveryouwish butdotellme,youarefeelingslightlybetter,areyounot?”
Thewoman's gentlecoaxingseemedtofansomethingwithinhis sister andLeonwatchedher turnher headonastiffneckto forceasmile.“Iam,Aunt,thankyou.”
Shetookasipofteathen,hergazereturningtothefixedpointbehindLeon’shead.Shewasnotfine,notwellatall,andthough he hadcalleda number ofdoctors tothe house eachone saidthe same.She is simplygrieving,andhe mustlether dosoin peace. Andthoughhehadalwayshadtheutmostrespectfordoctorsandallwithinthemedicalprofession,themoretimehespentwith hissister,themoreconcernedhegrewthattheymightactuallybewrong.
Buthowtofixtheproblemwhenhetrulyhadnoideawhattheproblemwas?Yes,shewasgrievingthelossofherhusband,but thiswasfarmorethanthat.Inaworldsuchastheirs,griefwasallaroundthem.Everydaysomepoormanmightsuccumbfrom aheartailment,orawomanmightdieinchildbirth.
Everydayamerefevermightcarryoffabelovedchildorsomecarriageaccidentsnuffoutthelifeofapersonintheirprime. Griefwas no stranger either witha war havingjustwrapped up, and yetwhatLeonsaw inhis sister's eyes, inthe wayshe refusedtoholdhernewbornson,inherutterlackoftalking,scaredthelivingdaylightsoutofhim.
Hewouldhavedonejustaboutanythingtofixallthewrongintheirworld,evenbringingbackDanielifhewereable,andyet, hehadneverfeltmorehelpless.
“Youwould have had a wonderful time at LadyBattersby's tea partyyesterday,” Violet stated, takinga sip of her owntea beforeshecontinued,“ItwasperhapstheeventoftheSeasonsofar.”
Leoncringed.Hehadbeenthereandyes,ithadbeenanexceptionalevent,butallthewhilehehadfeltlikeanoutsider.Hehad beenaflyonthewall,separatedfromthemerrimentofalltheotherguestsbythethinnestpanelofinvisibleglasswhichifhe justpressedlightly,hemighthavebrokenthroughoritmighthavesplinteredandrenderedhispainalltheworse.Forhewas alivetoenjoyhimselfifhesowishedandhisbestfriendwasnot.
SomedayshewishedithadbeenhewhohaddiedandnotDaniel.Maybethenhissisterwouldnotbesodeadinside.Halfthe timeLeonfearedshewishedshehadgonewithhim,lostinchildbirth,leavinghimtocareforhisorphanednephew.Themere thoughtfilledhimwithguilt,andhealwaysshoveditawayasquicklyasitenteredhismind “Itwouldnothavebeenappropriate,”Elizabethremindedheraunt.Asawidowofonlyfourmonths,shewasstilldeepinher grieving,onlyabletoattendchurcheventsandfunerals,dressedallinblackwithawidow'sveil.
Itwasnolifeforawomaninhertwenties,nolifeatall,andLeondesperatelywishedtherewassomethinghecoulddo.
“Yes, well, justbecause youare stuckinthis stuffy, God-forsakenhouse does notmeanthatyoushould be entirelysetapart fromsociety,”Violetstated,andshelookedabouttogripherniece'shandagainbeforesheseemedtothinkbetterofit.Leon heldhisbreath,wonderinghowhissistermightreact.
WayfordCastle,thehomeofTheDukeofSomerset hisseat,hisfather'sbeforehimandhisforefathersbeforethat hadnot always been a stuffy, God-forsaken house as his aunt had so eloquently called it. Once it had been filled with life, with merrimentandwithexceptionalevents,hostedbyhisowndearmotherandgrandmotherbeforeher
The halls had once beenfilled withlaughter, music, and people. Gossipers were all abuzzabout the balls, dinners and tea partiesheldatWayfordCastle.Nowalltheyhadtodowaswhisperofthepoor,grievingfamilywhohadlostnotonlyayoung manintheprimeoflife,butalsothedukeandduchessbeforehim Andwithnowifeandheir tospeakof,Leonwascertaintheywereall chompingatthebittoseewhatwouldbecomeofthe estatewithallofthebadluckthathadbefallentheCampbellsoverthelastdecade Elizabethsaidnothingandasiftakingthatashercuetocontinue,Violetexplained,“Ourcousins,theLenningtons,werethere, aswellastheRottwells,andeventheShakespeares.”
Atthe final name,Violet’s voice hitchedupa notch.Leondidnotmiss the blushthatenteredher cheeks or the wayher lips twitchedatthecorners.
“Mr.Andrew Shakespeare himselfwas inattendance.The poor man,” Violetsaid,a deepsighwhistlingbetweenher parted lips.“Tobesoaloneathisagewithallofhischildrengrown.Thathousemustfeelhugetohimnow.” Leonraisedabrow.Hisaunthadalwaysbeenoneforgossipthoughinamuchmorekindandcaringmannerthanmanyofthe ton’s ladies,wishingtooffersympathytoallofsociety’spoorunfortunatesouls.Andyet,therewassomethingdifferentabout thewayshespokeofthefifty-eight-year-oldwidowedbusinessman,abrothertooneofherclosestfriends,LadyBattersby.
As thesecondsonofthelateviscountShakespeareandnow thebrother tothecurrentviscountShakespeare,hewas awellconnectedgentlemanandarenownedbusinessmanwithasuccessfullineageinthreegrownchildrenallwithfamiliesoftheir own.AndLeoncouldseewhyhisauntshouldadmiresuchamanyettherewasacertainamountofadorationinViolet'sgaze thatdisheartenedhim Hemadeamentalnotetogettoknowthemanbetterthansocietyalreadydid
As
wonderfulauntwaselevenyearshissenior Overtheyears,havinglivedwiththemallofhislife,Violethadbecomesomewhat ofanoldersisterratherthananaunt.Andwithhernaivety,Leon’sprotectiveinstinctwouldbeforeverpresent.
“I suspect it might be rather nice to have one's house all to yourself,” Elizabethstated ina manner that made Leon's chest tighten “Nobodytoberesponsiblefor,nobodytoquestionyoureverymoodandmove,nobodytobeconstantlyurgingyouto dothisandactthiswayorthatway.”
Leonunderstoodhissistermorethanhecaredtoadmitbutitwashertonethatfrightenedhim,herutterlackofemotion Her eyesweresodullthattheyweredevoidoflife.ShebarelyseemedtoflinchwhenDanielJuniorbegantowhimper.
“ShallIseetohim,mylady?”
ThewetnursehurriedforthandElizabethofferedabarelyperceptiblenod.Leonwatchedhissistercontinuetostareahead,not evenglancinginherson’sdirectiontoensurethewetnursepickedhimupappropriately Thenextwordsoutofhissister’smouthmadehimsicktohiscore.“Ihavehiredanursemaid.”
Leonalmostdroppedtheteacuphehadseenfittopickupatthatverymoment.“Ibegyourpardon?”
Hereachedupandbrushedbackhisblackhairtolookathissistermoreclosely Shebarelyblinkedanddidnotevendeemhim worthyofaglance.
SohelookedinsteadtoVioletwhoappearedjustasshockedashe “Shecomeshighlyrecommended,”Elizabethcontinued,hertoneflat.
“Whatcouldyoupossiblyneedanursemaidfor?”Leondemanded,theheatdrainingfromhisface.Theideaofastranger,even anotherprofessional,enteringtheirhome,unnervedhimgreatly.
Son, it is best to keep matters private within the family unless absolutely necessary, thewordsrepeatedoverandoverinhis minddaily,spokenbyhisfatheronahundreddifferentoccasionsduringhischildhoodandearlyadolescence.
Anditwasarulehehadcometolivebyhimself,onlyeverinvitingthedoctorswhohisfatherhadinvitedbeforehim,never allowinganyone new into their familyproblems withoutfirstreceivingreferences and detailed accounts fromexceptionally trustedsources.Hedidn'tsomuchasbuyahorsewithoutfirstdoubleandtriplecheckingthelegitimacyofthebreeder.
“Iamnotcoping,Leonard!”Elizabethsnapped,herheadwhippingtofacehim.Itwasthemostemotionhehadseenuponhis sister'sfaceinmonths,anditturnedhisveinstoice.“Ineedhelpwithmyson.”
Leongulped.ShenevercalledhimLeonard.Infact,shehadneverevenbeenoneforraisinghervoiceorevenappearingangry atall.Shehadn'tevenappearedangryatDaniel'sdeath,onlyterribly,terriblygrief-stricken.Leonhadfeltitall,denial,anger, sorrow,buthissisterhadonlybeendevastatedintosheer,tearlesssilence.JustlookingathercausedLeontofeelanumbness asifhehadbeenplungedintoanicylake
Thefewangryburstsshehadhadsincehisdeathhadbeenattheslightestthings,thespillingofmilkorthecryingofthebabe. Neverathimoratanyoneinparticular
Andforthefirsttimeinmonth'sLeonsawsomethingotherthannumbgriefinhissister'seyes.
“Youhave me, Violet, all ofthe servants,” Leonpointed outinthe hopes ofeasingwhatever sufferinghis sister was going through.“YouhaveMrs.Westonhere.”
Hegesturedtothewetnursewhohadalreadyhurriedoffintoacornerwithherbackturnedtofeedthebabe.Thoughitmade Leonslightlyuncomfortable, Violet had insisted that Elizabethmust remainclose while her sonwas fed. It would help the bond,shesaid,yetitappearedtohavedonenothingsofar.
“Ineedhelp,Leon!”Elizabethsaidagain,hertonemorepleadingandhewasrelievedshedidnotcallhimbyhisfullnamethis time.
“Youhave LadySarah,” Leonreminded her. He thoughtfondlyofthe ladywho devoted almosthalfher time to helpingher friendwithhisnephew,theladyhehadbeguntothinkofasmorethanjusthissister'sfriend.Onedaysoon,hewouldbeforced byresponsibilityandnecessitytomarry,andhecouldthinkoffarworsechoicesthanthekind,caringLadySarahDalrymple.
“Sarahdoes not…Sarahis not…” Elizabethstammered as ifshe couldn'tfind the words. Frustrationreddened her face and Leon'steethsetonedge.“Sarahisnotfamilyeitherandyouhaveinvitedherintooursituationslongenough.Sarahis…”
“Sarahiswhat?”heasked.“Hassomethinghappened?”
WhenlastLadySarahhadvisitedonlythedaybefore,allhadseemedwell “Sheisnotaprofessional!”Elizabethblurted “IneedprofessionalhelpLeon IamstrugglingandyouandVioletandSarah,all ofyoucannothelpme!”
“Andthisnursemaid?Whoisshetohelpyou?”Leondemanded,thehaironthebackofhisneckrising.Hedidn'tliketheidea onebit “Thisismyhome Ishouldliketoknowwhoyouhaveinvitedintoit”
“Oh,Leonard!Yousoundjustlikefather,”Elizabethsnappedathimandthoughthiswasthemostanimatedhissisterhadbeen inmonths,Leondidnotlikeitonebit “Perhapsbecausehewasrighttobesocautious!”
“Leon,”ViolethissedunderherbreathandthewarningnoteinhertonemadeLeonshrinkbackalittle.Heoughttoremember hissister'ssensitivity,especiallyatatimelikethis.
“Shecomeshighlyrecommendedbymultiplenoblesandtheirwives,”Elizabethstated.“Ihavedonemyresearch,brother.Iam notafool.” Elizabethrosetoherfeetthen,asiftheconversationwerewellandtrulyover Leonrosewithherandsaid,“Ishouldliketocheckthesesourcesformyselfbeforeyoudoanythingrash”
Elizabetheyed himwithsucha burninggaze thatitstunghis heart. Thenshe crossed her arms and said, “Itis too late. She arrivesthisafternoon.”
BileroseinLeon'sthroatashissisterturnedandstormedfromtheroom.Hisheartdidn'thurtmerelybecauseshehadfailedto includehiminsuchimportantdecisionsorfailtofollowtheirmostimportantfamilyrule,butbecausesheutterlyfailedtoeven
glancebackathersonstillcradledinhiswetnurse'sarms
Mrs.WestonandVioletlookedjustasconcernedashefeltwhenheglancedatthebothofthem.
Sittingbackdownheavilyuponhisseat,hewondered, is there nothing at all I can do?
HehadhopedthatgrowingclosertoLadySarahmighthelphissister,thatthewoman'scompanionshipandherslowentrance intotheirfamilywiththepossibilityofhisonedaymakingherhisbridemighthelptoeasehissister'ssuffering.Itappearedhe hadbeenwrong.
Everyfiberofhisbodytoldhimitwasdangeroustoletastrangerentertheirmidstatsuchasensitivetime.Butashissister hadjustintimated,itwastoolate.
“Angel?Angel?”
Evangeline’seyesflutteredopenatthetouchofahanduponherlap.Yawning,shesmiledbackatherfemalecompanionand asked,“Arewethere?Whydidn'tyouwakemesooner?”
Witha glance out of the carriage window she saw that theywere indeed there. The grand house of The Duke of Somerset couldn'tbemistakenforanythingelse.Thoughshehadneverpersonallybeenthere,shehadheardoftheplaceanditsgrandeur, oftheparties,ballsandbashesheldwithinitswalls,ofthelatedukeandduchesswhosechildrenandgrandchildnowresided within Evangelinenevertookanyjobwithoutfirstlearningallthatshecouldofthepeopleshewouldbeworkingforandthesituation shewouldbehandling Intruth,thiscasewasthemostmysteriousshehadreceivedinalongtime Ordinarily,shemightnot haveacceptedsucharequestforherhelp.Theladywhohadwrittentoherseveraltimeshadnotgivenmuchawaysaveforthe factshewasstrugglingafterthelossofherhusbandandacomplicatedchildbirth.Shehadbeenabletogleanverylittleelse thoughshehadheardfromtherumormillthatthefamilyhadallbutgonetoground. Verylittlehadbeenseenofthemoflateandthatwastobeexpectedwhentheyweregrieving.Shehadheardthatpreviousto theloss,thefamilyhadbeenhighlyrespectable,thedukehandsome,intelligent,andnoteworthy.
Saveforknowingthattheladyinquestionwastheduke'ssisterandthatshehadthehelpofanolderaunt,sheknewverylittle. Thoughshealwayscamepreparedforanysituation.
“Iwonderwhethermythingshavearrivedyet,”EvangelinethoughtaloudandMaryshookherhead.
“Weshan’tknowuntilIcanfindthehousekeeper,Isuspect,”Marysaid Evangelinesmiledgratefully SheandMaryhadbeen togethersinceshewastenyearsold.Shewasnotaladyorevenofnoblebirth.Infact,herparentshadn'tevenbeengentlefolk. But what she did have was an excellent education in apothecary medicine, all thanks to her grandmother. And with that knowledgeshehadsavedthelifeofanoblewomanwhosegratitudehadshownnobounds.
Fromsucheventsshehadreceivedagraciousbenefactorwhohadpaidforhereducation,fed,clothed,andhousedherwhen necessaryandensuredthatshewasgivenallofthebestrecommendationstobecomeoneofthebestnursemaid'sEnglandhad ever seen.Thosewerethewords oftheduchess ofCambridgeherself,ofcourse,Evangelinewas muchtoohumblefor such notions
Shedidnotcaretobe the best…allshecaredtodowasherbestforherpatientswhetherthatbeanimal,babe,commoner,or nobleman.Shewasgoodatwhatshedidandahealthysmileuponthefaceofagratefulpatientwasallthethankssheneeded. Thoughhavingmoneytosendbacktohermotherandgrandmotherwasalwaysahugebonus,sincethedeathofherfatherwhen shewasonlyababe
Raised by women, educated in herbalismby her grandmother, she might well have been ostracized if not for rescuing the duchessfromanuntimelydeath
Shetriednottothinktoohardonthat,thoughshealwaysseemedtothinkonitwhenevershewasabouttomeetanewpatient.It was,afterall,thedecidingeventthathadledhertohalfthedoorsinEnglandoverthelastseventeenyears
ThecarriagetheyhadriddenallthewayfromCambridgeinoverthelastseveraldays,stoppingatinnsalongthewaytowash, restandchangethehorses,finallydrewtoahaltintheforecourtofWayfordCastle Thedoorwasopened,andahandoffered
Takingalong,deepbreathasshealwaysdidbeforeenteringanewsituation,Evangelineplacedherglovedhandinthatofthe footmanandallowedhimtohelpherfromthecarriage.
Maryfollowedafter,alwaysaloyalshadowbehindhermistressasshehadbeenformostofEvangeline'slife.
Atthebottomofthestepsstoodamanwhowasmostdefinitelyabutler,dressedallinblacksaveforacrispwhitestarched shirt,awomandressedsimilarlywhohadtohavebeenthehousekeeper.Theywerethesameineveryhousehold,dressedin blackwithsevereexpressions,sostraight-backeditwasasiftheyhadarodstrappedtotheirbacks.
And yet, beneath the surface, Evangeline had found many of thempleasant and well-meaning, only determined to keep up appearancesforthesakeoftheiremployer.
Sheonlyhopedthishouseholdwouldbethesame.“Well,Mary,herewego,”shewhisperedassheandMarysteppedforthto begreeted.
“YoumustbeMissEvangeline.IamMrs.Trent,thehousekeeperatWayfordCastleandthisisMr.Benson,”thehousekeeper greetedwithagentlesmile,gesturingtothebutler,“LadyRutlandhastoldmeallaboutyou.” “Allgood,Ihope,”Evangelinesmiled.“Andplease,callmeAngel.Allofmyfriendsdo.”
Evangeline was used to the severe brow raise that always received and she knew it would take some time, but eventually, everybodycalledherAngel Itwassimplyamatteroftime
“Ifyouwould like to follow me, Miss Evangeline,” Mrs Trentsaid, holdingfirmto formalities as was expected ofa good housekeeper “Mr BensonshalltakeyourcoatsandIshallshowyoutothedrawingroomwhereLadyRutlandandLadyViolet await.”
Evangeline followed the housekeeper, Maryclose behind her Soontheir coats had beentakenbya silent, stoic Mr Benson whodippedhisheadrespectfullyandremovedhimselftostoretheirgarments Then,finally,theywereshownthroughtheostentatioushomeintoahigh-ceilingeddrawingroom Asexpected,Evangelinehad felt the darkcloud hangingover the house the moment she stepped inside The blackarmbands wornbythe staffwere one simplereminderofthegriefthatplaguedthefamilythoughEvangelinethoughtitwasnotneeded. Thoughthehousewassparklingclean,everythingappeareddullandlifeless,fromthegrimfacesofallthestafftothepaintings hanginguponthewallthatappearedmuchdullerthanEvangelinethoughttheyoughttobe
Andthemomentshesawthefacesofthetwoladieswaitingtogreetherinthedrawingroom,shesensedwhy
The older of the two ladies looked tired, dull in the face, and filled with concern but the younger lady beside her looked entirelylost
Dullbrowneyesstaredblanklyrimmedbypuffyredness.Andbeneathwerethethick,blackcirclesofagelessexhaustionshe hadseenonthefacesofsomanywidows Herskinwassopaleithadturnedgray,andsaggingoffherbones Sheworeagown that looked as if it had once fit, but now hung loosely everywhere save for her stomach, still plagued by the bloat of childbearing.
She is still producing but likely not breastfeeding, she thought when she carefully noticed the dark patches upon Lady Rutland'sbodice Itwouldtakesometime,butshesuspectedshecouldfixthat,onewayoranother,hopefullyforthebetterof boththemotherandchild.
Yet,thechildinquestionwasnowheretobeseen Allthemorereasontofixthebreastfeedingsituation,shethought Thoughit was not uncommon for noble ladies to have wetnurses in fact, it was more uncommon for them not to it was not, in Evangeline'sopinion,healthyforeitherconcernedandbythelooksofLadyRutland,itwasoneofthemanyproblemsshewas suffering. ThemeresightofbothladiespainedEvangeline'sheartandwithinaninstantshewasdeterminedtodosomegoodatWayford Castle. ThoughtheybothrosetogreetEvangeline,therewasalacklustereffort,andshecouldseejustfromthewaytheymovedhow bonewearytheybothwere.
“Please,LadyRutland,LadyViolet,donotgetuponmyaccount,”sheinsisted,gesturingthembothbackdownintotheirseats “Iamnoguesthere.Iamheretodomyjobandtakecareofyoubothandthebabe.MayIask,ishecurrentlynapping?” Thereweremanysuchquestionssheintendedtoask,allofwhichshewouldgoaboutcarefully,tiptoeingoneggshellsuntilshe had gotten her answers without asking a single one too directly. She had long ago learned just how sensitive postpartum motherscouldbe;afactmanyofhermalecounterpartsfailedtonotice.
“He he is out for some freshair withhis wetnurse,” LadyRutland said, and Evangeline found one of her later questions alreadyansweredandhersuspicionsonLadyRutlandalso.
“Ahhgood,”Evangelinesmiledwarmly.“Freshairisalwaysgoodforthesoul.”
Thetwoladiesmerelynoddedhalf-heartedly Whatthesetwoneededwasagoodlongsleep Anyonewitheyescouldseethat
“Mrs.Trent,mightyoubesokindastofetchapotofhotwater?”Evangelineaskedthehousekeeper. “Miss?Doyoumean,tea?”Thehousekeeperlookedquiteconfused.
Evangelineshookherheadandstated,“Justhotwaterinateapot Ihavemyownblend”
Thatwas anunderstatement Evangelinehadaboutahundreddifferentconcoctions ofteaandmanyother medicines besides Butitwasbestnottomentionsuchthingsonfirstmeeting,orshemightbebrandedsomethingawful Whenthehousekeeperlookedabouttospeakagain,shewasinterruptedbyLadyViolet.“Doasshesays,Trent.”
“Ofcourse,mylady.”
The housekeeper hurried off, followed byMarywho was alreadywell aware ofwhather mistress needed fromher things. Evangelinecouldonlyhopeshehadenoughinthesingletraveltrunkthathadfitontheircarriagetokeepherbusyuntiltherest ofherthingsarrived. EvangelinesatattherequestofLadyVioletandkeptagentlesmileuponherface.
“Youhave sucha lovelyhome,” she stated, lookingaround the beautifullydecorated roomwithits wood paneled walls and ornatefireplace.
“Wehavemynephewtothankforthat,”LadyVioletsaid,asmallyetproudsmilelightingherface “Leonhasbeenverygood tousall”
“Youmean,The Duke ofSomerset?” Evangeline asked,eyebrow raised She hadheardleastofhimsave for the facthe had allowedhisfamilytolivewithinhishouseeversincetheterribleordealoftheearl'sdeath.
“Yes,ofcourse,HisGracehasbeenmostwonderfulthesepastmonths,”LadyVioletsaid LadyRutlandremainedquietandso Evangelineturnedherattentiontoherusualcarefulquestions
“Doesthelittleearlalwaystakeawalkatthistime?”
LadyVioletglancedatthegrandfatherclockacrosstheroom.“Mostdays,Ithink.”
“Anddoeshenapbeforeorafter?”
“Thatdependsupontheday”
Evangeline mused carefullyfor a moment, thinkingonhow to phrase her nextquestion. “MayIaskofthe boy's wakingand sleepingschedule?MyassistantandIliketohaveourmealsearlysoasnottointerferewithourwork,yousee”
LadyVioletglancedatLadyRutlandasifhopingforhelpinanswering.Shegotnone.Andsotheladyshruggedhershoulders. “Hedoesnotnecessarilyhaveaschedule”
Evangelinenodded,carefullynotingtheanswers,sureshehadherworkcutoutforher.
“And,yousayhehasawetnurse?Perhapsshemightbettertellmeofhisfeedingschedule?”
LadyVioletmerelynoddedasifshehadnoenergyleftfortalking
“Isuspectthelittleearliseatingfarbetterthantheadultsinthehousehold?”Evangelinesaid,allowingalittlegoodhumorinto hertone ThoughLadyRutlandappearedquitegaunt,LadyVioletdidnotappearmuchbetter
“Our appetites have not beenthe best since mynephew-in-law's departure,” LadyViolet said, and LadyRutland offered a
whimperatthementionofherlatehusband Evangelinewastohaveherworkcutoutforherindeed.
Shewassavedfromaskinganymorequestionsbythereturnofthehousekeeper,followedbyherassistant.Andwhenshesaw theherbbaghangingfromMary'shand,shestoodandtookitfromherwithagratefulsmile.Nowordswereneeded.Theyhad livedtogetherlongenoughtocommunicatewithoutwords
Mary could read her like a book just as she could Mary. That came fromher assistant's impeccable job of becoming her shadow,alwaysathersidenomatterwhatthesituation,onlysilentlydisappearingwheneverEvangelineneededsomething.
PreparingtheteaintheteapotMrs.Trenthadprovided,sheallowedittosteepamomentwhilesheasked,“Isthereanything particularthetwoofyouhopetogainfrommypresencehere?”
Itwasaquestionsheaskedofallherpatients.Withouttherightanswer,therewasverylittleshecoulddo.Shecouldnothelp thosewhodidnotwishtohelpthemselves.
“WeallwantwhatisbestforlittleDaniel,”LadyVioletannounced,andEvangelinesmiledwarmly.Itwasastart,thoughshe suspectedtherealpatientherewasnotatallthebabebutinfactallthosearoundhim.Afterall,atwo-month-oldchildhadno ideahisfatherwasgonefromtheworld.
“Thenwemustdothat,”Evangelinestated,pickinguptheteapottopourfourcups.SheandMarywouldnotdrinkmuchofit.It wasmerelyforshow.Shehadalwaysfoundonfirstmeeting,patientsweremuchlesswillingtoconsumemedicineswithouta showofgoodfaith.AndthisparticularteawouldleaveherandMaryentirelyunabletodotheirjobsiftheytookmorethana siportwo “Firstthingsfirst,Ibelievethetwoofyouareinneedofagooddealofsleep” TheonlyresponsewasanodfromLadyVioletandayawnfromLadyRutland.
“Here,”Evangelinesaid,placingtheteacupsintheirhands.Shetookherownonlytosipatitwhiletheladiesdrankjustasshe hadhoped.“Itwillhelpyourelaxandgetsomerest.”
SoonLadyRutland'sheadwaslollingtoonesideandMaryquietlyrosefromherseattoplaceapillow beneathherheadon thearmofthecouch.
“Oh,heavens,MissEvangeline,youmustforgiveme,”LadyVioletexclaimed,yawningbehindherhandassherosetoherfeet. “IfearImustdepartformybedchamber.IamexceptionallymoretiredthanIrealized.”
“Please,donotapologize,”Evangelineinsisted,gesturingtothedoor.“Goandrest.Weareheretotakecareofyounow.Iam sureMrs.Trentcanshowustotheroomswerequested.”
“Yes,yes,theyareprepared,”LadyVioletsaidalreadyonherwaytothedoor,“Adjoiningrooms.Large,largerooms…” EvangelinewatchedLadyVioletgowithaheavyheart Itwascleartherewasalottodo
Itwasn'tuntilthelady,followedbythehousekeeper,hadgonethatEvangelineturnedtoMarywithadeepsighandsaid,“This isgoingtotakesometime” Marynodded,herdeepbrowneyessympatheticasshelookedtoLadyRutland.“Thepoorwomanlooksasifsheiscloseto death'sdoor.”
Evangeline'sstomachtightenedasshefollowedMary'sgaze.Shewasn'tentirelywrong.Ifnotfortherisingandfallingofthe woman'schest,shemightwellbelieveshewasalreadythere.
“Letushopethatthelittleearl andhisuncle,theduke,arehealthier,”Evangelinesaid,exhalingdeeply.Inher experienceof suchmatters,themenwerefarbetteronthesurface.Whenitfinallycametogettingtoknowafamily,however,itoftenbecame apparentthatthemaleswerejustasdeeplydevastatedastheirfemalecounterparts.Theyweresimplytoughernutstocrack.
Withthis inmind,Evangeline mentallypreparedherselffor whatever was tobe thrownather next.Her onlyreliefwas that whatlittleshehadheardofthedukewaspleasant,filledwithrespectandmild.Sheonlyhopedhersourceswerecorrect. Afterall,howawfulcouldamanbewhenhehadtakeninseveralmembersofhisfamilywhentheyhadfallenuponhardtimes?
OnceEvangelinewascertainLadyRutlandwouldnotwake,sherosefromherseatandmovedtorepositionheronthecouch, soshe’dbemorecomfortable.Liftingherlegs,sheremovedhershoesandlaidherdownwithjustalittlehelpfromMary. Shehadjustlaidablanketoverher,brushingasoftstrandofhairfromherfaceasamothermightasickchild,whensomeone clearedtheirthroatinthedoorway.
“Miss Evangeline,Ihave beeninstructedtosee youtoyour chambers sothatImaybe certaintheyare toyour liking,” Mrs. Trentannounced,asEvangelineandhermaidturnedwithwelcomingsmiles.
“Of course. We would be most grateful to you, Mrs. Trent,” Evangeline said, still smiling though she saw the way the housekeeperlookedaroundhertoLadyRutland,ahalf-suspicious,half-concernedexpressionuponhersternface.
Evangeline did notbother to explainor evento justifythe factthatshe had encouraged the two ladies to sleep. Instead, she awaited a questionfromthe housekeeper. She had learned longago notto encourage others’suspicions and onlyto explain whenaskedtodoso.
Itwasbetterthatway.Otherwise,shemightfrightenpeoplewithhowquiteintelligentshewas.Thoughshehadneverbelieved herselfoverlyso,LadyCambridgehadofteninformedher inher earlyyears thather knowledgeofmedicineandhealingfar surpassedtheintelligenceofthegeneralfemalepopulation,andsoshehadalwaysbeencareful,especiallyuponfirstmeeting.
Ifthetwoladieshadnotbeenquitesoexhaustedorsickly,shemighthavewaitedalittlewhilelongertobeginintroducingher homeremedies,butsometimesextrememeasureswerenecessary.
And itappeared the housekeeper was unwillingto askanythingdirectlyas she gestured for Evangeline and Maryto follow withoutsomuchasasniff.
Itwasonlyastheywalkeddownthehallandthroughtoastonestairwell,muchliketheservantsstairsofanygrandhouse,that Mrs.Trentsaid,“Ihaveheardagreatdealofyourtalents,MissEvangeline.”
“AsIsaidearlieron,”Evangelineresponded,herhandsclaspedcalmlybeforeherasshefollowedthehousekeeperdownthe steps.“Allgoodthings,Ihope.”
“Somewouldsayso,yes,”Mrs.Trentsaid,andEvangelinecouldfeelthesuspicioncomingoffherinwaves.“Othersmaynot. Youwoulddowelltobewarywhilewithus.Ishallnothaveanyharmbefallingthedukeorhisfamilyduringyourstay.”
Evangeline gritted her teeth. She was used to such things. In fact, Mrs. Trent was rather polite about her warning. Other housekeepers,butlersandevenmaidshadshownhersheerdisdainanddownrightrudenessduringsomeofhercases. “IstrivetodomyutmostforeveryfamilyIhaveworkedfor,Mrs.Trent,”Evangelineassuredthewoman,andshesensedMary nodding behind her. “You have my word that no harmshall come to anyone under this roof at my hand or the hand of my assistant.”
Mrs.Trentpausedatadoorwaythenandturnedbacktolookatthemboth,aslightlylesssuspiciousexpressionuponherface.
“See thatitdoesn't,” she said inone final warningbefore she reached for the huge ringofkeys ather beltand unlocked the doorbesideher.Whensheswungitopen,thesmelloffreshlavenderwaftedintoEvangeline'snostrils.
Asoneofherfavoriteplants,shepausedtotakeinadeepbreathofthescentbeforefollowingthehousekeeperintotheroom Hershadowfollowedsilentasever.
Insidetheroomwasasmall,plainsittingroomandthroughoneadjoiningdoorshecouldjustseetwinbedssetagainstastone wall,neatlydressedinpalebrownandyellowbedding.Asprigoflavenderwassetuponthepillowofeach.
AsifshesawEvangelinelooking,Mrs Trentsaid,“Ihadyourbedsplacedinthesameroomasperyourinstructions Isitnot toyourliking?”
Evangelineturnedtothehousekeeper,shookherhead,andassuredher,“Itisperfect”
Thoughin truth, all would not be perfect until she had seenthe roomon the other side of the second door leading off the antechambersittingroom.
“MightIaskastotheotherrequirementsImentionedinmyletter?”Evangelineaskedcarefully.
The housekeeper glanced around the moderately decorated servants quarters with a somewhat judgmental expression. Evangelinecouldn'treallyblameher.Shehadseenmanyaservants quarters inher timeandnonequitesofineas these.She suspectedthatMrs.Trent'sownroomsweren'tsofinelyfurnishedeither.Yet,herstatusasahealerandthewardofaduchess hadaffordedhercertainluxuriesovertheyears
Evangelinecouldeasilyimaginewhatthehousekeepermustthinkofherbutasalways,shewasdeterminedtoproveotherwise. ShemadenodemandsandsimplystoodawaitingMrs.Trent'snextmove.ShefeltMaryfidgetalittlebehindherasifshetoo wasexcitedtoseewhatlaybeyondthenextdoor.ThemaidhadbecomesomewhatofEvangeline’sownapprenticeover the years.
“Please,followmethisway,”Mrs.Trentinstructed,andsheledthewaydirectlytotheotherdoor.Shepausedonlytosay,“We havetriedourbesttofollowyourinstructionsthoughIsuspectthingsmayhavebeenlostincorrespondence.”
Evangelinemerelysmiled.Shehadheardsimilarsuchthingsatpreviousemployments.
“Iamsureallwillbefine,”Evangelinesmiledtothehousekeeper Whatevermightneedanadjustmenthereorthere,shewas certaincouldbefixedover time.Solongastheyhadthebasicsfor her work,shewouldgetalongwell.Shealwaysdid,no matterthetoolsshewasgiven.Shehadyettofaceacasethatshecouldn'teventuallysolve.
TheduchessofCambridgewasherprimeexample.Stumblinguponastoppedcarriage,theservantsanddriverlookingquite frantic,shehadofferedtohelpwhentoldoftheirmistress’predicament.
Atonlyten,thestaffoftheduchesshadlaughedather,thentriedtoshooherawayuntilshehadexplainedwhoshewas Had the driver ofthe duchess notrecognized her grandmother’s name and seenfitto encourage the others to lether through, the duchessofCambridgewouldbenomore.
Thathadbeenaraceagainsttimefromthemomentshehadseentheduchess,herskinashengrayasshelaiduponthecarriage floor,foamyspittleattheedgesofher bluetingedmouth,ribcagerisingandfallinginahaphazard,breathlessmanner.Ithad becomequiteapparentthatitwaspoisoningfromalmostthesecondshelaideyesonthewoman.
Luckilyforthenoblewoman,hergrandmother’sapothecaryhadbeenwithinrunningdistanceandEvangelinehadrunlikeher life depended on it. With no real surety of what had poisoned the woman, she'd thrown together a terrible concoction of charcoal andherbs mixedwithwater inthe hopes the duchess wouldthrow upwhatever she hadconsumedintime toavoid
Her standingbeforeMrs.Trentnow was all thereminder sheneededthatshecouldsavelives withverylittleinthewayof supplies Andseeingas nobodyatWayfordCastleappearedtohavebeenpoisoned,shewas certaintheywouldbeabletotakeafew daystomakeanycorrectionsrequired
“Please, after you,” Evangeline said when Mrs. Trent opened the door and gestured her inside. The housekeeper, her expressionnotquitesosuspiciousbutstillstern,madeherwayintotheroom.EvenbeforeEvangelinefollowed,thescentof herbs,spicesandallothermannerofwonderfulthingshithernostrils
Herkeennosepickedoutmanyofthemsingularly.Rosemary,lavender,thyme,andcinnamonwereallpresentintheroomand thoseshecouldnotsmell,shecouldseeinlittleglassbottlesandjarsonshelvesandtables Therewerepots,pans,andglass jarseverywhere,thoughstackedneatlyaspossible
Withthe small fire setinthe far wall for boilingwater andbrewingher tonics andthe driedplants hangingfromthe ceiling above,Evangelinecouldalmostimagineshehadwalkedrightbackintograndmother'sapothecary
All that was missing was some careful organization and a small, gray, hunch-backed woman standing over the fireplace, stirringherpotofwonders
“Willthisdo?”Mrs.TrentaskedwhenEvangelinefailedtosayaword,havingdoneaquicklapoftheentireroom.
“Itismostwonderful,thankyou,Mrs.Trent,”Evangelineassuredthehousekeeper.SheofferedMaryaglanceandsawherown thoughts mirrored carefullyinthe woman’s eyes. Itwould need careful reorganization. There were several herbs and others bestkeptseparatefromtheoneswhoseshelvestheycurrentlyinhabitedbutapersonuneducatedinherbologywasnottoknow anditwasbestnottowastetimetryingtoeducatealltheworld
“Good.ThenIshallleavethetwoofyoutorestandgetacquaintedwithyourlodgings,”Mrs.Trentsaid,steppingpastMaryto thedoor,“AndIshallhaveoneofthemaidsbringsomewarmwaterfor ” Thehousekeepernevergottofinishhersentenceforthecryingofasmallbabepermeatedtheair.Itgrewlouderandlouderas ifthechildwerebeingbroughtdownthecorridor.
Inaflash,EvangelinewaspastMrs.Trentandmakingherwaybacktothemaindooroftheirnewquarters.
She was justintime to see two womenhurryingdownthe stone hallway, one witha babyinher arms and the other cooing gently. Neither was Lady Rutland or Lady Violet, and both wore the well-pressed, moderately priced garb of a servant used to spendingagreatdealoftimeclosetothenoblemembersofthehousehold.
Evangelineimmediatelysuspectedwetnurseandnannyasshehurrieddownthehallafterthetwowomenwhohadhurriedinto aroomwherethescentofbakingbreadwaftedthroughthedoor.
WithMaryeverpresentbehindherandMrs Trenthotonbothoftheirheels,Evangelineenteredthelargekitchentofindthat shewasbarelynoticed.
Nowthetwowomenwiththebabehadbeenjoinedbyanothertwo Baseduponherclothesandapron,Evangelinesuspected thatthe one was a cook, while the second appeared to be a house or kitchenmaid All were crowded aboutthe babyinthe armsofthewomanwhosebreastwasnowexposed,asifshewereattemptingtofeedhim.
“Oh,please,littleone!”thewomancried “Youmustfeed”
Evangelinefeltterribleheartachetolookuponthescene.Thewoman'sbreastappearedredandswollen,andEvangelinecould seeevenfromadistancethattherewasahardlumpclosetoherunderarm Chronicunderfeedingcoulddothattoawoman Evangelinehadseenitfartooofteninnobleladiesbutveryfewtimesinwetnurses
“Comenow,littleearl,youmustbequiet,”thesecondwoman,theoneEvangelinesuspectedwasthenanny,said,strokingthe backofthebabe'sheadasshetriedtoencouragehimontotheotherwoman'sbreast “Thedukeshallhearyou” “ExcusemebutIwashopingImightbeofservice?”Evangelinesaid,steppingaroundthelargecentertablewheretheywere sitting Atfirst,theyappearednottohear andsoshecontinuedontoabucketoffreshwater withasoapbowl besideitand quicklywashedherhands “Mary,findmeacleancuporbowl”
Themaidsilentlydidasasked Evangelinesteppedforthbetweenthefranticwomenandspokeagain “MayI?”
Beforeanyonecouldstopher,shegentlywrestledthescreechingbabefromthewetnurse'sarms.Hiscryingonlygrewlouder. Therednessinhisentirebodygrewdarkerandheappearedquiteunabletobreathethroughallofhisscreeching Evangelineremainedcalmevenwhilethewomenfretted.
“Becalm,girls,”Mrs.Trentinstructedthemall.“MissEvangelineisheretohelp.” Itwasclearthehousekeeperhadputhersuspicionsofheraside,forthegoodofthebabe
“Ifhedoesnotcalmsoonthedukeshallhearhimandyouallknowhowawfulthatshallbe!”thenannyinsisted,lookingquite mortified Evangelinemerelyscoffedandwentaboutherwork,layingthebaby'sblanketuponthetablesoshecouldplacehim inthecenterandswaddlehimtightly,wrappinghisarmsandlegsinsohecouldbarelymove.
For one sosmall andscrawny,he putupa decentfightbutsoonhis fightingeased Whether itwas the suddenrealizationof comfortorexhaustion,Evangelinedidnotknow,butwhatshedidknowwasthatshedidnotlikethestateofthischild Hewas fartoothin,fartoored-faced,fartoohungry.
“I’msorry,wehaven’tbeenintroducedyet”EvangelinelookedtothewetnursewhenMaryappearedwithacleancup
“Mrs.Johnson,”thewomanofferedup.
“Mrs.Johnson,pleasewouldyoumindexpressingalittlemilkintothecup?”Evangelinesaid,pickingupthebabeandrocking himgently.Shewaswellpreparedforthehorrifiedlookinthewoman’seyesandsosheadded,“Marywillhelpyouifneed be Sheisquitegentle Itshallhelpyouandthebabygreatly Iassureyou”
Thoughthebabystillcried,thevolumehadgonedowngreatly,anditappearedenoughtoconvincethewomanthatheradvice wasgood.
Thoughshewincedalittleatfirst,soonMrs.JohnsonandMaryhadexpressedenoughbreastmilktosatisfyEvangeline,who hadalreadybeenpreparingthelittleearlwithagentlerubofthefirstknuckleofherindexfingeruponhispinklips.
“Thankyou,”EvangelinesaidasMaryplacedthemilkbeforeheronthetable.Cooinggentlyshedippedherknuckleintothe cupandagainplaceditatthebabe'slips.
Themilkdrippedandspreadonhisface,butEvangelineknewsomehadmadeitpasthislipswhenthebabeopenedhismouth totakemore.
Shecontinuedtodipandrubseveraltimesuntilshewassatisfiedthatthebaby'slatchonherknucklewasstrongenough. Then,gently,shepassedhimbacktothewetnurseandsaid,“Here,letmehelpyou” “Iknowhowtobreastfeed,”Mrs Johnsonscolded,“I'vehadsixofmyown”
“Iamquitecertainyoudobutsometimesbothpartiesneedalittlehelp.Itseemsthislittleonedoesrightnow,soplease,ifyou will allow me?” Evangeline saidgently,offeringa half-smile.Whenthe womanfinallynodded,Evangeline repositionedthe babyinthewoman'sarmsandsaid,“Heissosmallyoumustbesuretokeephimstomachtostomachandtuckhiminniceand close Supporthisheadbutdonotforcehimonorhemayfightyou Here,squeezethenipplegentlytoallowthemilktoflow ontohislips….”
Evangelina instructed gently, coaxing the two together until, finally, the little earl opened his jaws wide and practically consumedthewoman'snippleinonegreattoothlesschomp. “Ahh!”Thewomancriedthoughitwasnotacryofpainbutofrelief
Evangelinewatchedcloselyasthelittleearl'scheekspuffedupandhislittlethroatmovedwithhisswallowing.Shelistened closelyforseveralmomentsforthesoundsofmilkswillingabouthismouth Andshetoobreathedasighofreliefasshewatchedthesituationcalmandunfoldbeforeher.
Whenshelookedaround,everyoneelseintheroom saveforMary wasstaringatherwithopenshockandastonishment.
