didn’t need to flatter me.”
Aaron felt his own smile tug at his lips. “I wouldn’t say you’re as good as me, but you’re not too bad.”
Roger chuckled. “All right. Come to the window. We’ll play a game or two.”
Relaxing, Aaron got up from the chair and joined him at the chessboard.
Chapter Eleven
Kitty was surprised when the carriage stopped at a lower-middle-class residence. She didn’t know why, but she had assumed Miss Britcher had been a spinster tucked away in a townhouse somewhere in the wealthy section of London. It wasn’t that Miss Britcher necessarily wore anything to make her think that, but the lady did remind her of Lady Cadwalader and her uptight friends.
She had envisioned Miss Britcher and her friends comparing stories on who was able to best humiliate the ladies they chaperoned. Miss Britcher certainly hadn’t seemed to mind any of the tasks Aaron had given her. But as she took in the modest home, it occurred to her that her image of Miss Britcher might not be accurate.
The footman opened the carriage door, and Kitty followed her out. Since this was Miss Britcher’s residence, Kitty continued to follow her. She nearly stumbled as the layers of petticoats wrapped around her legs, so she had to pause for a moment and adjust the lower half of her dress.
Miss Britcher waited until they were both at the front door before she put her hand on the doorknob and said, “I am unable to let you out of my sight unless you are with your friends. Your husband gave me strict instructions on this matter.”
“I know,” Kitty said. “That’s why I’m coming with you.”
Miss Britcher nodded as if she had expected that reply. After a moment, she added, “I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence if I didn’t warn you about my nephew. He’s not like other gentlemen.”
Kitty’s eyebrows furrowed as she tried to grasp the lady’s meaning. Just how was he different?
“He’s twenty, but he acts like he’s much, much younger.” She opened the door and stepped into the house.
Since she glanced back at Kitty expectantly, Kitty hurried to cross the threshold. From the other room a gentleman yelled, “No! I won’t do it!”
Kitty jumped.
“That’s him,” Miss Britcher whispered as she closed the door. “He likes to be called Teddy.”
“Gretchen, is that you?” came a lady’s voice.
“Yes, Hattie,” Miss Britcher—Gretchen—said. “I came as soon as I got the missive.”
Kitty hesitated to follow Gretchen into the other room, but she couldn’t very well stay by the door. She pushed aside the unease in her stomach and stepped into the room with older furniture. Hattie had gray strands in her hair but didn’t seem much older than Gretchen. She was sitting on a couch, and she was holding the hand of the gentleman who was rocking back and forth. He had his eyes closed and was softly humming to himself. A bandage covered his forearm.
“Where did he hurt himself?” Gretchen asked as she sat on the gentleman’s other side.
“In the arm and side,” Hattie replied. “He found the hiding place for the cooking knife.”
“Teddy,” Gretchen began, using a kind but firm tone, “you know you’re not supposed to go into Hattie’s room. That room is only for her.”
He broke into tears. “I’m sorry, Aunt Gretchen. I’m not a good person.”
“Don’t be silly,” Gretchen said. “You are a good person. You just did something you weren’t supposed to do. Knives are dangerous. They’re not toys.”
“My toys are in my room,” he replied.
“Yes, and you can always bring a toy out here if you’re bored. This room is safe to play in, just as your room is.” Gretchen rubbed his back. “I know it’s not easy to remember this, but you must try.”
He stopped crying and wiped his eyes. “I’ll try.”
“Good.”
Hattie turned her gaze to Gretchen. “He won’t take the medicine. Dr. Westward said the wounds might get infected if he doesn’t take it. I thought you might be able to get him to take it since he listens more to you than he does to me.”
“That’s because I’m stern with him,” Gretchen said. Her expression softening, she added, “I can’t blame you for that. It’s hard to be the one to always tell him no.”
“I’m glad you do it. I have such a hard time of it,” Hattie replied.
“You kept him calm until I got here. That isn’t an easy task.” Gretchen glanced around the room. “Where is the medicine?”
“I put it on the fireplace mantle.”
She glanced at it then directed her