Read Online Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Julie Klassen
Ads: Link
Your younger daughter, of course.”
“I have only one daughter, and here she sits.” The Reverend Mr. Lamb waved vaguely in Bea’s direction.
“I am speaking of Charlotte.”
“She is lost to me. It pains me to speak of it.”
“I beg you forgive me. But if you could only speak a bit more and tell me where she has gone … I only want to help.”
“I know not.”
“You … don’t know where Charlotte is?” he asked in disbelief.
A discordant clang shuddered through the pianoforte, and Bea glared at him over the fading notes. “We do not wish to speak of it, Mr. Harris. I believe Father made that quite clear. And pray do us the kindness of not speaking of her to others either. Charlotte is off “-she waved her hand with dramatic flair “visiting friends. Gone to Brighton, I believe. Or was it Bath? In any case, we don’t expect her anytime soon.” She began playing again.
“That young man who was just here,” Gareth began, frowning. “I know he is your nephew, but I have to say, I do not trust him.”
“Father!” Bea exclaimed.
“I am sorry, my dear, but I cannot help but think he had something to do with the whole infernal affair.”
Bea stood quickly. “Mr. Bentley is a perfectly amiable gentleman, and I will not sit by and hear him maligned in my presence.” She flounced out of the room, and Charles was relieved to see her go.
“She’s pinned her hopes on him.” Mr. Lamb shook his head, his eyes still on the open door though Bea was no longer visible. “I know I should encourage it, but something does not sit right with me. You do not think Bentley had anything to do with … Charlotte’s leaving?”
“I … I shouldn’t think so. Did you ask him?”
“Not in so many words, but yes, I did inquire of his dealings with her.”
“And how did he respond?”
“Perhaps I had better not repeat it….”
“I insist. What did he say?”
“It shames me to speak of it.” Still, the older man went on. “He said he was not altogether surprised at Charlotte’s `troubles,’ that he saw her being very familiar with more than one man on several occasions.
“He said that?”
“Well, you know how he talks, all hints and innuendo and you didn’t hear it from me.”
“Insolent fool!”
“You do not think it the truth? The evidence certainly bears him out.”
“I am afraid my nephew has motives of his own that no doubt colored his report.”
“Have you never seen her cavorting with men?”
Charles hesitated, and the old man set his face bitterly.
“No, my friend,” Charles hurried on. “You mustn’t think the worst of Charlotte. I have never seen her act in any untoward manner with anyone.”
“Then who was it, man? Have you any idea?”
Charles sighed and shook his head. “I am so sorry. If there was anything I could do, I would do it. You know I would.”
“Of course, of course. You have your own future to think of. You don’t suppose there is any hope of convincing young Bentley to redirect …”
“I am afraid not. Not any longer. Has he … made any offer that you know of?”
“No. Though Beatrice seems nearly to be holding her breath in hopes of one.”
The name of the Milkweed, Asclepias, comes from the Greek god Aeskulap, the god of healing.
-FLOWER ESSENCE SOCIETY
CHAPTER 7
hrough a grated window in the foundling ward door, Daniel Taylor watched Miss Lamb. She was standing alone in the tangled garden behind the manor, and he couldn’t help but remember her in a garden far more grand. She had often been there when he’d come with Dr. Webb to call on her mother.
He had spent a few years in Doddington as an apprentice to Dr. Webb before he’d gone off to the University of Edinburgh to complete his studies. He’d enjoyed his time in Kent and had a great deal of respect for Dr. Webb, who seemed never to tire of visiting patients, consoling families, and doling out physic and other remedies as needed.
Mrs. Lillian Lamb was one
“I have only one daughter, and here she sits.” The Reverend Mr. Lamb waved vaguely in Bea’s direction.
“I am speaking of Charlotte.”
“She is lost to me. It pains me to speak of it.”
“I beg you forgive me. But if you could only speak a bit more and tell me where she has gone … I only want to help.”
“I know not.”
“You … don’t know where Charlotte is?” he asked in disbelief.
A discordant clang shuddered through the pianoforte, and Bea glared at him over the fading notes. “We do not wish to speak of it, Mr. Harris. I believe Father made that quite clear. And pray do us the kindness of not speaking of her to others either. Charlotte is off “-she waved her hand with dramatic flair “visiting friends. Gone to Brighton, I believe. Or was it Bath? In any case, we don’t expect her anytime soon.” She began playing again.
“That young man who was just here,” Gareth began, frowning. “I know he is your nephew, but I have to say, I do not trust him.”
“Father!” Bea exclaimed.
“I am sorry, my dear, but I cannot help but think he had something to do with the whole infernal affair.”
Bea stood quickly. “Mr. Bentley is a perfectly amiable gentleman, and I will not sit by and hear him maligned in my presence.” She flounced out of the room, and Charles was relieved to see her go.
“She’s pinned her hopes on him.” Mr. Lamb shook his head, his eyes still on the open door though Bea was no longer visible. “I know I should encourage it, but something does not sit right with me. You do not think Bentley had anything to do with … Charlotte’s leaving?”
“I … I shouldn’t think so. Did you ask him?”
“Not in so many words, but yes, I did inquire of his dealings with her.”
“And how did he respond?”
“Perhaps I had better not repeat it….”
“I insist. What did he say?”
“It shames me to speak of it.” Still, the older man went on. “He said he was not altogether surprised at Charlotte’s `troubles,’ that he saw her being very familiar with more than one man on several occasions.
“He said that?”
“Well, you know how he talks, all hints and innuendo and you didn’t hear it from me.”
“Insolent fool!”
“You do not think it the truth? The evidence certainly bears him out.”
“I am afraid my nephew has motives of his own that no doubt colored his report.”
“Have you never seen her cavorting with men?”
Charles hesitated, and the old man set his face bitterly.
“No, my friend,” Charles hurried on. “You mustn’t think the worst of Charlotte. I have never seen her act in any untoward manner with anyone.”
“Then who was it, man? Have you any idea?”
Charles sighed and shook his head. “I am so sorry. If there was anything I could do, I would do it. You know I would.”
“Of course, of course. You have your own future to think of. You don’t suppose there is any hope of convincing young Bentley to redirect …”
“I am afraid not. Not any longer. Has he … made any offer that you know of?”
“No. Though Beatrice seems nearly to be holding her breath in hopes of one.”
The name of the Milkweed, Asclepias, comes from the Greek god Aeskulap, the god of healing.
-FLOWER ESSENCE SOCIETY
CHAPTER 7
hrough a grated window in the foundling ward door, Daniel Taylor watched Miss Lamb. She was standing alone in the tangled garden behind the manor, and he couldn’t help but remember her in a garden far more grand. She had often been there when he’d come with Dr. Webb to call on her mother.
He had spent a few years in Doddington as an apprentice to Dr. Webb before he’d gone off to the University of Edinburgh to complete his studies. He’d enjoyed his time in Kent and had a great deal of respect for Dr. Webb, who seemed never to tire of visiting patients, consoling families, and doling out physic and other remedies as needed.
Mrs. Lillian Lamb was one
Similar Books
