“Well, right now she is also tending to our mother,” Alice said. “She holds some resentment towards us for not sharing that burden, but neither Elizabeth nor I are in a position to.”
“I know you are doing all that you can.”
“Thank you, but the truth of the matter is that I wish I could do more,” Alice admitted. “I have enjoyed seeing Mother so frequently these past few days.”
“Then you must continue to do so.”
“It won’t be so easy when we leave the orphanage,” Alice said. “If we go to your estate in Brighton, I may never see my mother again.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“You are kind, but we don’t know what the future brings. My mother might succumb to her illness, or she might rally like the doctor believes.”
“It is most fortunate that you were able to afford a doctor to see to your mother.”
Alice’s eyes grew downcast. “He says that she has a weak heart.”
“But he believes that she might rally?”
“With the right medication, he believes she could live a few more years.”
“That is better than nothing, don’t you think?”
“I suppose,” Alice murmured.
“You mustn’t give up hope,” Georgie encouraged. “Without it, life is meaningless. For what is the point of all our pain and suffering if we don’t yearn for something greater?”
“I would do anything to save my mother,” Alice said.
“As well as you should. You don’t want to have any regrets when the time comes to say goodbye.”
Alice looked at her curiously. “Did you have any regrets when your mother died?”
“Only that I didn’t spend enough time with her.”
They arrived at their destination, and once her feet were on the pavement, Georgie admired the lovely townhouse.
The main door opened, and she was greeted by a tall, bald butler with kind eyes. “You must be Miss Lloyd.”
“I am.”
“Very good,” he replied, closing the door behind her. “Miss Ashmore is expecting you in the drawing room. If you will follow me.”
As soon as the butler announced her, Evie jumped up from the settee. “You have arrived!”
“I have,” Georgie replied. “I do thank you for the use of your coach.”
“It is my cousin’s coach, and he has allowed us to use it while we are in Town.”
“That was thoughtful of him.”
Evie gestured towards an older woman with dark hair streaked with grey. “Miss Lloyd, allow me to introduce you to my aunt, Mrs. Carter.”
Mrs. Carter smiled from her seat. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lloyd.”
Georgie dropped into a slight curtsy. “Thank you for allowing me to reside with you.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but Evie told me why you can’t reside at the orphanage anymore,” Mrs. Carter said.
