don’t have time for difficulties.” He steepled his fingers and watched her over their tips. “I called you up here for another reason. I have a proposition for you that I’m hoping you’ll accept.”
There was no “hoping” in the firm tone of his voice. Dr. Edmunds expected her to accept, and based on what Joe had said, she feared she already knew what he was about to ask. “Yes?”
“My medical attendant, Miss Guimond, was recently forced to return to her home country of France. Some of the tasks she used to perform for me still need to be done until my practice is completely closed. I know you’ve come to England looking for a better situation . . .” His gaze sharpened, making her skin prickle from its intensity. “But as you’re already here in my employ, I thought you could take over her tasks in addition to the other work you’ll be doing for me.”
“I am afraid, Dr. Edmunds, I would not make a good attendant,” Rachel replied, cold dancing down her spine. God let innocents die under her care. “I know nothing of use about medicine. In fact, I’ve had a very bad experience.”
“Did it involve a man who cut his foot on a piece of pavement?” A smile flitted across his lips. Fleeting as it was, the smile transformed him like the wink of candlelight on a gloomy night.
“Pardon me?” she asked, confused. Both by the question and her reaction to his smile.
“Just something Joe said.” He shook his head as if apologizing for the question. Or the smile. “Of course, I’m not asking you to diagnose ills or treat any cases. I need someone to wait with patients when they come into the office during my open hours, gather information from them, and comfort them while they wait, if needed. The skills you would acquire would be impressive to any future employer.”
“I intend on teaching children, Dr. Edmunds, and such work will not require me to serve as their nurse.”
“One never knows about that.” He lifted his brows to emphasize his belief. “I’m sure after a good night’s sleep, you’ll see the sense in my request and realize the benefits behind the opportunity I’m presenting you.”
If you knew I was accused of murder, you would retract the offer in a heartbeat. But Rachel could not tell him about the accusation and destroy her prospects. She could only bow her head and agree. “Yes, Dr. Edmunds.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning, then. Seven sharp,” he said, indicating she could leave.
Rachel rose and bade him good night.
Seven sharp.
It sounded like an appointment with the executioner.
CHAPTER 6
Mary. Mary. Wake up.
She’s so cold, so cold. And blue . . . Mary!
“Miss Dunne, what’s wrong with her? What’s happened?”
She is gone. I gave her the decoction of hawkweed with honey, but it did not save her. God, what did I do wrong?
Mary! Wake up. Just wake up . . . Wake up!
“Miss Dunne. Are you all right?” Mrs. Mainprice’s voice was insistent, loud enough to penetrate the wood of the chamber door.
Rachel bolted upright in bed, her skin clammy, heart hammering. She’d had another of her nightmares. Why could they not leave her alone, stay in Ireland where they belonged?
“Miss Dunne!”
“Yes, Mrs. Mainprice. I am coming.” Jumping up, Rachel threw on her thin robe and pulled open the door.
“Are you all right, child? I heard you calling out.” Worry creased the older woman’s face.
“I . . . talk to myself in my sleep. What time is it?”
“Near seven, miss.”
“I am going to be late!” Rachel grabbed her brush and began dragging it through the stubborn tendrils of her hair.
“I brought you breakfast.” Mrs. Mainprice held out her tray—toast, an egg, and coffee on its lacquered surface. “But you might not have time. Master’s in the library already. Waiting.”
Not good. “I shall not be late again. I promise.”
“No need to promise me, miss,” she answered, leaving the tray teetering on the bedside chair.
The clock rang seven as Rachel turned the corner of the first-floor landing. Dr. Edmunds was outside the library, waiting for her as advertised.
“Ah, Miss Dunne, there you are,” he said, his voice steady and calm. “Did you sleep well?”
A strand of his dark hair had fallen down over his brow, curled boyishly, so incongruous on that serious face. She noticed anew how handsome he was, possibly the handsomest man she had ever seen, especially when he wasn’t frowning at her. Which he wasn’t.
Thank heavens.
“I did sleep well, Dr. Edmunds. Apparently