AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Theo shook her head, and Becky stuttered to a halt, casting wide eyes between Theo and Frederick.
“See who?” He leaned forward.
“Oh, no one of any great importance. Excuse me.” Becky hurried from the room, leaving Theo to rue her gaucherie in expecting a young girl of barely tempered tongue to withhold their secret.
Frederick scratched his whiskerless chin. “No one of any great importance? So thereissomeone.”
“You must forgive me, Mr. Bellingham. I do not understand the desire to pry into other people’s affairs.”
“Pray excuse me. My interest was simply that of a friend.”
“And such is appreciated,” she said, before forcibly inserting herself into the other conversation, as she determined to steer the ship far from the rocky shores of truth.
“I’m afraid it is as I told Miss Stapleton just yesterday. You would be best to remain here a trifle longer,” Dr. Linton advised.
“As I suspected,” Daniel admitted, unable to restrain a sigh.
“I believe she is concerned you tire of being shut-in, sir.”
“She is thoughtful that way.”
“Mmm.” The doctor glanced at him under heavy brows. “You still wish to persist with this subterfuge and not own your name?”
“It seems I have entered a situation that is not easy to extricate oneself from.”
“At least you are well looked after here.”
“That is certainly true.”
A tap came at the door, which then pushed open wider to reveal his niece.
“Hello, Becky.”
“Ah, Miss Mannering,” the doctor said. “Do you require my services?”
“Thank you, sir, but no.” She turned to Daniel. “I came because, well”—she glanced at the doctor, who was collecting his medical instruments—“Miss Stapleton wanted me to. She’s downstairs, being visited by Mr. Bellingham.”
“Oho, her persistent suitor.” The doctor chuckled. “One day he may wear her down.”
Daniel’s insides twisted.
“He is not at all who I think she should marry,” confided Becky.
“I sometimes wonder if she ever will.” The doctor’s expression sobered before he glanced at Daniel. “Forgive my idle musings.”
“You need not apologize to me,” Daniel assured.
The doctor offered his farewell, then made his way from the room, and they could soon hear his tread creak on the stairs.
“There are visitors downstairs?” he asked his niece.
Becky nodded and took the seat beside him. “I should probably be there, but the conversation was so dull I did not think anyone would miss me.”
“I don’t find Miss Stapleton prone to dull conversation.”
“Oh, I did not mean her. She is usually ever so lively, but Mr. Bellingham seemed to want to speak to her privately, and I couldn’t help but wonder …”
“Wonder what?” How he loathed himself for stooping to gossip like an old woman. Perhaps being bedridden was turning him into one. But his ears itched for news of her, especially as she had not visited for several days. Not since that time when he had lain here listening to her melodic voice as she read tales from years ago. He hadn’t expected to be mesmerized, but whether it was her animated voice or the story shaped by a great poet, he hadn’t wanted her to stop reading, his disappointment at her finishing only leavened by the thought that he could ask her to read the second volume ofHenry IV. Then perhaps readHenry V.
