I’ll organise a bed for Miss Percival and food for you on your return.”
In the hall, as they readied to leave, Miss Hunt, a newly arrived governess came out of the parlour, her face glowing with joy. “Oh, Mr Belfroy, Mrs West, Miss McIntyre, you’ll never guess my news.”
“Happy news I gather?” Florence asked, helping Nicola with her cloak.
“Why yes, I’ve been appointed as a companion to Mrs Carlisle, who is returning to England a fortnight tomorrow.”
“Are you pleased to be sailing to England, Miss Hunt?” Nicola asked, pulling on her gloves.
“Yes, very much so. I never thought I would, but I feel my luck has run out in this country. I’ve managed to pay back my debt to Miss Rye’s Society and am now free to do as I please.”
“Then I’m happy for you.” Nicola patted the younger woman’s shoulder. “We’ll have a celebration meal next week for you.”
Once in the carriage, Nicola leaned against the seat, grimacing as her back ached. How she wished Silvana was also returning to England in a fortnight.
* * *
“As fast as you can, Timms.” Nat called up to the driver as he opened the carriage door and climbed in after Frances. Once they were seated, the carriage lurched forward on its way to George Street.
“Why the rush, Nat?” Frances scowled, adjusting her hat. “My appointment at the dressmakers isn’t until one. I thought we could share a meal somewhere. I’ve been at the soup kitchen all morning and am famished.”
“I’ve business to deal with. I’ll have to drop you off, I’m sorry.”
“Well thank you for stopping to collect me. I didn’t want to be caught in the rain.”
He reclined against the seat and stared out the window at the passing traffic and buildings. A light rain fell from low grey clouds. The dismal day suited his mood and the errand he was on. A note had been passed into his hands this morning concerning Lombard. The stupid fool had surfaced again at one of the gentlemen’s clubs last night. Nat’s gut clenched at the thought of getting hold of his one time friend.
“Nat?”
“Hmm?” He turned to Frances, his mind full of Lombard.
“I wanted to talk to you about Nicola.”
“Oh?” His thoughts turned to his darling wife and he frowned. Lately she seemed out of sorts, but he put it down to the pregnancy. She was working too much, too. He rarely saw her, only at night, and usually she was so tired she would fall asleep the instant they climbed into bed.
“I think something is wrong with her.”
His heart squeezed painfully. “How do you mean, wrong?”
“She’s not sleeping or eating properly.” Frances’s grey eyes grew anxious. “I saw her last night. It was very late, around two in the morning. She’d been in the study getting a book. She wore only her nightclothes and I could see how pale and thin she is.”
He nodded. Nicola’s weight loss on her arms and legs had worried him as well, but again he put the blame on the growing child inside her. “I’ll encourage her to eat more. The child is likely taking all her energy.”
“I might suggest we spend the day together tomorrow. Just the two of us…oh, no I can’t I promised mother I’d go sailing on the harbour with her and some friends.”
“I’ll organise something.” Nat rubbed his chin, thinking. “It’s been too long since we had time alone. Her days are filled with visiting the Home, I’ve let my business occupy my time and Mother’s arrival has dominated everything.”
“Nicola has been sadly neglected, Nat. We must do better.”
“Yes, you’re right, as always.” He smiled. “I’ll buy Nicola some jewellery. I don’t buy her enough pretty things. She never asks for anything.”
“Because that’s not Nicola’s way. She’s too good for you.” She chuckled.
“I know that.”
“Mother likes her, so that is something.” Frances tapped her reticule. “There have been times in the last few months when I have believed I was dreaming. It is incredible to think of our mother being here and of her behaviour, which is so different to how it was back home.”
“True. I couldn’t have been more surprised by Mother’s affections. Such a radical change gave me many doubts, but we’ve talked at great length about the past. She admits her dealings with us were shameful but she knew no better, it was how she was raised.”
“I’m sorry it took so long and Father’s death, for her to admit it though. Our lives could have been very different.”
Nat grasped