Read Online A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky - Free Book Online

sounds like they’ll need every doctor on hand.”
    Penny’s heart clenched as she thought of the families who’d lost loved ones. “What can we do to help?”
    Jon turned his sober gaze toward her. “I want you to pack your trunks and return to Highland as soon as possible.”
    Penny blinked and stared at him. “What?”
    Jon’s gaze shifted to Kate. “It’s not safe for you and the children to stay in London. The risks are too great. I’ve telegraphed William and explained what has happened. I’ve asked him to allow you to stay with them until it’s safe for you to return.”
    “But what about you?” Kate’s gaze locked on Jon.
    “I must stay. The Army requires my services at St. George’s. And even if they didn’t, I wouldn’t feel right fleeing to the countryside when so many wounded men are in need of medical care.”
    “Yes, but what about the children? How will I manage without you?”
    “I know it will be difficult, Kate, but you’ll have Penny, and I hope Lydia and Helen will go with you. Perhaps Mrs. Murdock might even agree to move to Highland to help with the extra cooking.”
    Tears flooded Kate’s eyes. “But I don’t want to be separated from you.”
    Jon’s serious expression eased. “Please, darling, I must be sure you’re safe. That’s what is most important.”
    Penny’s throat tightened. It would be very hard on Kate to leave Jon here, knowing he would be in danger.
    “But what if William doesn’t want us to come?” Penny asked, though she couldn’t imagine William and Julia turning family members away, especially not in wartime.
    “Then I’ll make some other arrangements.” His gaze remained steady. “You can’t stay in London.”
    Kate tried to blink back her tears, but it did no good. She rose and hurried out of the dining room.
    Jon closed his eyes and sagged back against his chair.
    “She’ll be all right,” Penny said softly. “Just give her a little time to adjust to the idea.”
    “I hate to upset her, but this is the only sensible plan. It’s not as though we won’t see each other. I can take the train out for a visit when I have a day off.”
    Alex had watched the interaction between husband and wife with respectful silence. Now he laid his napkin on the table and turned to Jon. “Can you tell us any more about what you saw this morning?”
    Jon met Alex’s gaze. “All right, but prepare yourself.”
    Alex nodded. “Go on.”
    “I took a taxi across town to Woolwich. Much of the area is blocked off, but I told them I was a doctor, and they let me through. Police and teams of soldiers were everywhere, trying to restore order and help those whose homes were damaged. People were frantic, searching for missing loved ones or trying to salvage a few items out of their homes. It was heartbreaking. I attended one young man who had suffered terrible burns from the fire. I had to send him on to St. George’s for further treatment.”
    Penny’s stomach lurched, and she pushed her plate away.
Oh, Father, help that young man.
And what about the others? What would people do now that their homes had been destroyed? Did they have relatives in the country?
    She turned to Jon. “You think the Germans will bomb London again?”
    “I’m afraid so.”
    Penny shifted her gaze to Alex. “And you agree?”
    He gave a slight nod. “London has always been their target. Now that they’ve had a successful run, they’ll be back. Sending the family to the countryside is a sensible decision.”
    Jon sent Penny a direct look. “I know it’s asking a lot of William and Julia to take in my whole household, but my parents’ cottage is much too small, and I’m not sure whom else to turn to.”
    Penny clutched the napkin in her lap. “It will be difficult for everyone, but I’m sure they’ll agree.”
    Jon and Kate’s cook, Mrs. Murdock, had a very strong personality, and so did Highland’s Chef Lagarde. Putting them together in the same kitchen was sure to cause