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He jumped in. “I cannot allow that. It is not proper. Dr. Stevens will need a chaperone. I shall attend also.”
Now Faulkner-Jones looked like he wanted to throttle him. “I am her betrothed,” the man said between gritted teeth.
“Ah, but not her husband. Yet.” Or never if I have anything to say about it.
Rayne looked back and forth. “I have had enough and am going to bed. Please work this out between you.” Despite her disheveled state, she squared her shoulders, raised her chin, and left the room with all the dignity of the Queen.
Before Edwin could think of the words to say to get rid of this insufferable man, one of the young maids entered the room, walked up to him and curtsied. “My lord, a patient in the infirmary is asking for a glass of water and another one would like a message sent to his mother. Where is Dr. Stevens?”
Keeping Faulkner-Jones in his line of sight to make sure he didn’t chase Rayne up the stairs, he said, “She is getting some much needed and much deserved rest. I will step into her place. For now, give the patient something to drink. I will join you in the infirmary in a minute.”
“My goodness. Aren’t we talented? Besides being a friend, a peer of the realm, a financial consultant, a chaperone of young ladies’ virtue, and an accountant, you are also a doctor?” The snide remark coming from Faulkner-Jones was enough to push Edwin over the edge.
“I am inviting you to leave, sir. Quickly. Or I will not be responsible for my actions. And I can assure you that Dr. Stevens will not attend to your injuries.”
Faulkner-Jones widened his stance and crossed his arms over his chest. “You cannot make me leave. This is not your home.”
“Nor is it yours.” Edwin nodded in the direction of the front door. “Walter has gone on an errand for Dr. Stevens, so you will see yourself out.”
When Faulkner-Jones didn’t move, Edwin pointed to the doorway and after a slight hesitation, the man turned and stomped from the room. He picked up his coat and hat and left.
Edwin departed from the drawing room, the patient on the sofa still studying him with a wide grin on his face as if he planned to write a book about the shenanigans he’d witnessed among the upper crust.
Chapter 9
It had taken only three days from when Mr. Faulkner-Jones visited the infirmary for Rayne to receive a summons from her fath
er to attend him. His tersely worded message alerted her to the fact that her fiancé had spoken to Father after his call on her.
There are things that concern me regarding your upcoming nuptials to Mr. Robert Faulkner-Jones that must be discussed. I expect your arrival Saturday at 3:00.
* * *
Dr. Douglas Stevens
Father had never been a warm, loving man, but this was the first time she remembered receiving a letter from him where he signed as Dr. Stevens. She was in trouble, no doubt about it.
She sighed as she wrote the report for Mr. Littleton who had left the day before. That left Glory, who needed no more than good solid food for a while, and four of the train accident patients. Another woman had come in the day before with a breathing problem that Rayne diagnosed as asthma. Once she was able to stabilize the woman, she could return home.
Edwin continued to come each day and tend to her invoices and outstanding bills. He was gone a couple of hours each afternoon and returned with money. He was very persuasive, although she did mark certain bills as ‘don’t press too hard, they don’t have much money.’
To her relief, she’d also received a note from Mr. Faulkner-Jones that he would not be available to escort her to dinner on Friday. He made it sound as though it had been her idea and he was sorry to disappoint. She was sure that had precipitated Father’s summons. No doubt the man either visited Father or sent a peevish note.
“Dr. S'evens, Mrs. Foster said I could 'elp 'er in 'he ki'chen if i' is accep'able 'o you.”
Rayne cringed and smiled at the same time as Glory came bouncing into her small office. The child was a delight to have around, although Rayne had not decided what to do with the girl. Very telling was the fact that Glory never once asked for anyone or requested to be sent home. Or whatever situation she considered home.
She’d gotten some dresses for Glory from the church and bought a few things herself for the child, mostly underwear, shoes and stockings. She had also thrown in a pretty ribbon that the girl cherished. It had been rather fun to buy small articles of clothing for a child. It made her think of how it would be if she were to be a mother herself.
“Yes. You may help her, as long as you don’t get in her way, or do anything she doesn’t tell you to do. There are many things in a kitchen that could harm you.”
“’Hank you mum.” She raced off before Rayne barely got the words out. She really must see about enrolling Glory in school. Her language left quite a bit to be desired. One more thing to consider where the girl was concerned.
Edwin limped into her office, leaning on his cane. “I was able to collect on two bills.” He dropped the invoices marked ‘paid’ on her desk.
He still wore his hat and coat and she had to admit he looked rather dashing. She had seen no evidence of him imbibing in brandy. If he did it at home, it was not enough for him to show the results when he arrived each day.
She leaned back in her chair and regarded him. “I need to decide what I am going to do with Glory.”
