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Then his gaze flickered, as if an unwelcome thought had intruded. He turned back to his satchel, fastening the buckle before hoisting the bag to his shoulder.
“But your sister is back with you, and is clearly flourishing,” he said in his professional man’s voice. “You are to be commended, my lady. Well done.”
The rapid change in his manner was disorienting—and annoying. The dratted man had succeeded in throwing her off balance again.
“Goodness, look how late it’s become,” she said. “Dr. Kendrick, we’ve certainly taken up more than enough of your precious time. Do be sure to include any costs for Hercules when you send me your bill.”
He returned a polite smile. “Not to worry, my lady. Pets come free.”
As he opened the door to the hall, he glanced over his shoulder. “If Donny has any problems before John gets back into town, please send for me. I am at your service, Lady Samantha.”
“Oh, I’m quite sure that won’t be necessary. But thank you.”
He gave her a friendly nod and took his leave.
Samantha collapsed onto the chaise. Now that the crisis had passed, she could acknowledge the beginnings of the very nasty headache that was going to soon take hold like a crown of iron thorns. This had been a morning from hell, one she would very happily forget.
Not forget him, though.
And wasn’t that a problem she didn’t need? Liking Kendrick meant she was letting him get too close. And if he got too close, then he could burrow his way into her secrets, endangering everything.
Including your heart.
She would never take that risk again.
CHAPTER10
“Mrs. Blackmore is expecting ye, sir,” said the housemaid before she took Braden’s coat and hat. “She thought ye’d be callin’ on yer way home from work.”
So, Bathsheba and John must harbor the very same suspicions about the fair Lady Samantha that Braden had been mulling over all day. He’d be willing to wager his best scalpel that he’d been the one to twig John to the situation in the first place, albeit unwittingly. That morning after his attack in Old Town, when Braden had described the mysterious couple and their use of sign language to John, it was no wonder his friend had acted so oddly. John had obviously deduced that Samantha and Donny perfectly fit the profiles.
That also explained John’s alarmed reaction to Samantha’s offer to volunteer at Braden’s free clinic. Clearly, her ladyship was up to something, and it was something that John didn’t approve of.
Well, Braden didn’t approve of the way he’d been moved about like a pawn on a chessboard, both by his old friends and Lady Samantha. It was time for answers, and he knew Bathsheba would be more forthcoming than her irritatingly close-mouthed husband. After all, she’d been the one to send Braden to the Penwith household this morning, knowing he would put the pieces together.
Braden followed the maid up the narrow staircase to the first floor. Although not large, the Blackmores’ townhouse was elegantly appointed and in the best neighborhood in New Town. It was directly across from the Queen Street Gardens and was only a short carriage ride to the medical college.
The maid gave a quick tap on the drawing room door before opening it. “Dr. Kendrick is here, ma’am.”
Bathsheba, seated in an overstuffed armchair by the fireplace, looked up from her book with a smile. “Finally. I was about to give up on you.”
She rose and put the book aside, greeting Braden with an extended hand.
“And if I hadn’t shown up on your doorstep?” he asked.
“I would have tracked you down at Heriot Row. I’ve been in a fever of impatience all day.”
Not only was she suspicious, but worried, too. Braden had to admit he was as well.
Bathsheba dismissed the maid and then crossed to a brass drinks trolley tucked between a set of bow windows. “What can I get you, dear boy? I know it’s been a long day.”
“Since John keeps a supply of Graeme’s excellent whisky on hand, I’ll have a glass of that.”
Bathsheba splashed a dram into a crystal tumbler and poured herself a sherry.
“I must admit that I’ve finally acquired a taste for the stuff,” she said, carrying the drinks over to the cozy seating arrangement in front of the fireplace. “But too much and I’m snoring away like an old granny.”
“No one could mistake you for a granny, even if you were snoring.”
