AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, I am well. My husband found a fine physician.”
Tia shuddered, remembering her mother’s story of the London physician whom she saw deliver a baby with filthy hands. The poor woman almost died and her mother blamed the physician. “Please tell him to wash his hands before coming near you.”
Emily turned and looked at her strangely. “Very well. What are you going to do now?”
“I would like to pay a call on Lady Bunworth, but I do not expect she will see me.”
“She will. Just tell her you are Middleton’s betrothed. That will set her on her ear,” Emily said with a laugh. “She’ll hate the fact that he was able to find a bride with his reputation. And despise you for being that woman.”
“Then why will she see me?”
Emily giggled again. “You have so much to learn! She will see you because you will soon outrank her.”
Tia’s head spun with all the nonsense of Society. It was enough to make a person mad. “The woman will see me because she believes that one day I shall outrank her?”
“Yes. Would you like me to accompany you? This could be interesting,” Emily said with a grin.
“No, you go home and rest. How has your husband been toward you?”
Emily sobered. With a shrug, she said, “He has already found a new mistress and has told me that he won’t visit my bedroom again until after the baby is born.”
Tia sighed. “I’m so sorry, Emily.”
“There is nothing I can do to stop him.” Emily’s lips tightened into a straight line.
Was it any wonder Tia had no desire to marry? Although, she knew not all men were like that. Her own father had been a wonderful husband for her mother . . . and a great father. If she could find a man of a similar nature, she would marry with no hesitation.
“Very well,” Tia said. “I will pay a call to Lady Bunworth to see if she can give me any information on Mr. Tavers.”
“Good luck.” Emily scanned the area before giving her a quick hug. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“Perhaps we can meet in a few days.” Emily stood and then said, “Send me a note.”
“I will do just that.” Tia watched as Emily left. She did miss being able to talk with another woman. Mrs. Abbott was a fine woman, but nearly twenty years her senior. She longed for a friend closer to her age.
She watched as Emily ambled toward the awaiting carriage. Tia needed to call on Lady Bunworth. There was just one issue, she had no idea where Lady Bunworth lived. Tia rose from the bench, ready to run toward Emily, only to see her carriage slowly pulling away. She would never be able to catch her.
Now what would she do?
As she strolled back toward Middleton’s house, she wondered how he would feel about visiting his cousin. They didn’t seem to get on terribly well. And she still wondered if Alistair had something to do with the poisoning. Mary had been in his employ for his sister Constance before coming to work for Middleton. Tia wondered why Constance hadn’t brought her to Lord Bunworth’s home.
Once Tia reached the house, she made her decision. She would ask him to accompany her. If he chose not to, she would go alone.
“How was your walk, miss?” Nelson asked, closing the door behind her.
“Very nice. It is a beautiful fall day.” She removed her bonnet and handed it to him. “Thank you, Nelson. Is his lordship in the study?”
“Yes, miss, but he has company.”
“Oh?”
Nelson smiled at her. “Mr. Cranborne and Mr. Adams.”
Her curiosity piqued. What were both men doing in the study with Middleton with the door closed? Perhaps if she went to the library, she might hear something. “Nelson, I will wait in the library for his lordship to finish his meeting.”
“Would you like tea?”
