a simple braid. “I am Catherine, Marchioness of Seabrook.” She winked. “I usually do not announce that tidbit but I thought you should know. It’s something you might contemplate over later. I’m a nurse, but these days I volunteer here at the hospital.”
That was interesting… Why had she worked at all if she was a marchioness? The volunteering part made sense. Most high society ladies did some sort of charity work, but why did she feel the need to disclose her title to her? Why would Anya ever need to know that?
“That would be me,” Anya said as she raised her hand. “I’m ready to go. Are you really a marchioness?” Perhaps she was lying? Though she didn’t understand why she would.
“I am, but let’s forego the formalities, shall we? I’d much prefer you use my given name, Catherine. I’ve never much cared to be called Lady Seabrook,” the woman told her, then patted the chair. “Hop in and we’ll get you home.”
She got up and then sat down in the wheelchair. The woman walked backward and turned the chair around to push it out of the room. “They’ve come a long way with these chairs. My husband had to use one when he was injured in the first world war. It was a big bulky thing.”
“A marquess fought in the war?” She didn’t think they did that. Her mother walked beside the wheelchair as they moved through the hall. She remained quiet. Anya had upset her more than she thought. She’d have to apologize again later.
“He was a spy. We met before the war started and fell in love through the years as it raged on. We married and returned home before the war ended.”
“Because he was injured?”
Anya didn’t know why she was curious. It helped her a little to hear about a story of love that survived. The woman had to be in her fifties. Anya wanted a love like that. One that would stand the test of time and survive well past the hard times.
“He was,” she said. “Asher could no longer be a spy, at least not effectively anymore. We also had to bring the twins, my son and daughter, home before it became impossible to do so. They were mere infants when we left.” They would probably be around the same age as Lady Vivian. She’d been born during the first world war too.
“Thank you for sharing your story with me.” It had given Anya something to consider.
“I thought it might help you,” she said softly. “I could feel your distress.”
That was odd too… How would she have any idea what Anya was feeling? Though she had been irritable. Perhaps she had given off some sort of signs she hadn’t been aware of.
“Here we are,” Catherine said. “It was nice meeting you.” She leaned down and whispered, “Don’t be afraid of your gifts. They’ll guide you where you need to go. Trust yourself.” After she finished speaking, she pushed the chair to the end of the sidewalk. “I believe that is your father. Enjoy your visit to Weston.”
Anya stood from the chair and turned to speak to her, but Catherine was already backing the chair away and returning to the hospital. Was Lady Vivian at Weston? How had Catherine known she needed to find her? She could be reading too much into it, but somehow she didn’t think so. Instead of going after her, she got into the car. She didn’t have any time to waste.
“She’s always been strange,” her mother said. “Don’t pay her any mind. She may be a marchioness, but she lacks class.”
Anya rolled her eyes. Her mother was probably jealous Catherine had a better title than her. She would ignore her comment, but she might try to find Catherine again one day. She couldn’t wait to get to her place. As soon as her parents left her flat, she fully intended to leave and drive to Weston; she’d have to finally purchase a car first. She had to see Lady Vivian.
Chapter 11
Anya hadn’t been able to leave London as soon as she would have liked. It was probably for the best that she’d been waylaid though. After she’d walked into her flat, she’d felt faint and had to lie down…a condition that was not conducive to traveling. Especially since she fully intended to drive herself to Dover. After a few days of convalescence, she packed a bag for her trip, then left her flat to secure transportation. She carried her small