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“I shall be all right. Just let me rest a moment.”
Tia glanced over at a petite woman as she sat to fan herself. After receiving cuts from the other ladies she’d passed, Tia saw no reason to greet the finely dressed woman. Although, the more she spied her, the more she realized the woman did not look well. Her face was pale and drawn as if fighting something. “Are you all right?” she finally asked.
“It’s dreadfully warm, that is all,” the woman murmured.
“Is this woman bothering you?” a footman asked, drawing nearer.
“No, Arthur. She is only being kind.” The woman pressed her hands to her stomach.
“Miss—”
“That would be Lady Eldridge to you, miss,” the footman said.
“Arthur, be a dear and go sit over there,” Lady Eldridge said, pointing to a bench out of earshot. Once the footman had stomped over to the other bench like a petulant child, she said, “He is a very nice man, but takes his responsibility to watch over me far too seriously. We are only in Hyde Park. I scarcely think anything will happen to me while I talk with you.”
Tia laughed softly. “I rather doubt it too. Now, what is really the matter? I have some expertise in this area. I already have an idea of what is troubling you.”
“You could not possibly know. And we have not been properly introduced. I am Lady Emily Eldridge.”
“I am Miss Hestia Featherstone, but most people call me Tia.”
Lady Eldridge frowned. “Are you a servant with a family nearby?”
“No,” Tia said with a laugh and then went quiet. Mrs. Abbott had said she was nothing more than a servant and deserved to sleep downstairs with the others. But out at the estate, no one had treated her as such. They all respected and admired her for helping them with their ails.
“Indeed?” Lady Eldridge pursed her bow lips and scanned Tia’s attire. “You certainly dress like a servant.”
“I am a wise woman, my lady.” She glanced at her dress. “And my gown is a very long story.”
Lady Eldridge gave a little shrug. “A gown doesn’t make a woman,” she muttered. “Now, what is a wise woman?”
“I am a healer and midwife for Lord Middleton at his estate in the Midlands.”
“Lord Middleton?” Her eyes shuttered for a long moment. “How is he? Is he in town? I
hadn’t heard he had returned.”
“Yes, my lady, he is in town, but not for long.” Tia wondered how this woman was acquainted with Middleton.
“And his brother?” she whispered in an uneven tone.
Tia realized Middleton might be an acquaintance, but it was Jonathon this woman was most interested in. “I have not seen him for a few weeks, since he left the estate.”
Lady Eldridge’s shoulders sagged as a crestfallen look swept across her face. “I see.”
“My lady, you look dreadfully pale. Perhaps you should return to your home now.”
“I would prefer speaking with you.” Lady Eldridge picked up her silk fan and resumed fanning herself. She stopped for a moment and held her stomach.
“My lady, please let me help you home. I can make up some peppermint tea that will help with the nausea.”
The woman’s hazel eyes widened. “To what are you referring? I am having no such ills.”
Tia’s lips twitched. So, the lady didn’t want anyone to know she was with child yet. She rose from her seat, knowing that Lady Eldridge was about to stop her. “If you say so, then I should return to Lord Middleton’s home now. Good day.”
Lady Eldridge moaned softly. “Can you really help me?”
“Yes, I can but only if you are truthful with me about all your symptoms.” Tia held out her hand to assist the young woman. “Shall we return to your home?”
