Finch fear the worst. Of course, as the lady was destitute and living off the charity of her great-aunt, her story wasn’t bound to have a happy resolution.
“She died bringing my brother into the world, and my father was never the same after that,” she said. “It became my duty to bring laughter into his life as my mother had, and I embraced that role in the family. I learned to recognize his moods, no matter how much he tried to hide them from my brother and me.”
Miss Barrows sent him a slanted grin. “I suppose it became a bit of a compulsion. I cannot stand to see someone unhappy when I have the power to make them smile.”
Finch tucked his hands behind him, his gaze lowered to the ground ahead of them as his boots crunched against the snow and ice crystals.
“A father ought not to put such a burden on his child,” he said, and Miss Barrows’ smile grew.
“Do not think me hurt by it. I am no young miss and have learned in my thirty years of life that parents are as fallible as the rest of humanity,” she replied. “Though I wish my efforts had mended my father’s heart, I know he did the best he could. When his grief became too great, and he struggled to care for us and maintain his vocation, he surrendered his pride and brought us to live with my Uncle George. Many a man wouldn’t have done so, and it would’ve been far worse for William and me. When smallpox struck Plymouth, he tried to fight through for us, but when it took my brother, his heart broke beyond repair.”
“Is that when you received your scars?” he asked, nodding at her face.
Chapter 10
For a brief moment, Felicity could not form words. Her brain seized at hearing someone speak of the marks on her face so boldly. And even as her first instincts wanted to recoil at the bluntness with which he spoke, Felicity felt an odd lightness enter her heart.
No one ever referenced her scars. Not directly. Her wealth and position made few willing to insult her directly, so they feigned indifference to her complexion and whispered behind their fans, recoiling at the imperfections as though they still carried the dreaded disease.
But Mr. Finch spoke without judgment or fear. Felicity scoured his expression, looking for any hint of duplicity in his question, but instinct told her he was asking out of honest curiosity. Though his question was blunt, Felicity could not feel offended at his asking it. If anything, it was refreshing to face such an honest query.
“I was ten when the illness swept through our home. All three of us were struck down with it, and only I survived.” Though her hand was gloved, Felicity brushed a touch against the bumpy edge of her cheek that stood as a testament to that time of her life.
“I am sorry for your loss,” said Mr. Finch, his light brows pulled together. “That must have been quite the blow.”
“I consider myself quite blessed, Mr. Finch. Uncle George was untouched by it, and my life was spared. Many were scarred far worse than I or left without any family. There was a time when I was bitter, but I have come to see the joys amidst the pain.”
“Felicity, indeed,” he mumbled.
She smiled and chuckled. “I cannot seem to help myself, sir.”
Mr. Finch’s gaze remained on the ground, and Felicity wished she could see more of his face. There was so much to be gleaned from a person’s expression and eyes.
Turning her gaze to the distance, Felicity found her thoughts cast back to that past; there was little good to be had in bemoaning how her life had shifted and altered from those bright days of her youth, but at times, there was no ignoring the hole in her heart.
“That was a heavy sigh,” said Mr. Finch.
Felicity’s face warmed, despite the cold air, and she grimaced. “I suppose I was trapped in my memories and thinking of things best left alone. There are times when I miss my family. It is not the overpowering melancholy that gripped my father, but I do long for their support and love. I have learned to do things for myself, but it is exhausting always having to stand on one’s own without aid or assistance.”
Shifting her cloak, Felicity flexed her fingers beneath it. The gloves were helping to stave off the chill, but it was not enough. Mr.