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Charles and Nick joined Andrew in the seating area and took the sofa opposite him.
“Do you mind terribly if I make a suggestion?” Nick asked, warily.
Andrew scoffed lightly. “At this point, I am open to nearly anything.”
“Have you consulted Mrs. Fowler?”
“The widow who lives on the edge of town?” Andrew asked, his copper eyebrows pulling together. “I have never had reason before to speak to her.”
Nick sat back, lifting one ankle and resting it on the other knee. His blond hair was carelessly swept away from his face, but his eyes reflected the seriousness of the situation. “I’m not sure of her marital status. Miss Green has used her services as a Cunning Woman—or so I’ve been told—but Giulia mentioned the other day that Mrs. Fowler is also a midwife.” He cleared his throat. “I was instructed by my dear wife to familiarize myself with her whereabouts in the case that her time comes, and you are unavailable.”
Andrew nodded, his face betraying nothing. “Your wife is wise to have a plan in place.” His lips cocked a faint smile. “Though I would not have pegged her as one who would worry. I’d have put my money on Mrs. Pepper having more birthing experience than even me.”
“She has some experience in assisting,” Nick said, grinning. “But she’s a smart woman. She knows she can’t do it alone.”
“Which is why you are here instead of home with her,” Andrew said.
Nick raised both hands. “I fret too much. The moment she feels her first pain, I am permitted to remain at the house.”
“And Lord Hart?”
Nick grew serious. “Her uncle is the only reason I feel comfortable leaving the premises at all. He hovers over her worse than I do. Only, the house is his, so she can’t very well force him to leave, can she?”
Andrew chuckled, his gaze drawn up to the ceiling. “I need to meet Mrs. Fowler, I think. Though I am hesitant to leave Falbrooke. I would have come to help at the auction today, but I was afraid…” His voice trailed off, his swallow visible as his throat bobbed.
“I can remain here,” Charles offered.
“And I can take you to Mrs. Fowler’s cottage,” Nick said, rising. “I was there myself just a few days ago, so I can perform the introduction.”
“That would be inordinately helpful. Thank you, both of you.”
Charles nodded. He didn’t want the praise. He wasn’t doing this for Andrew alone—he needed to assure himself that Mrs. Halpert was receiving every bit of help she could have. He owed it to George. When the man had known he wasn’t long for this world, he’d extracted the promise that sat heavily on Charles now—the promise he’d made that Mrs. Halpert would be taken care of.
