Allan knew that he had to either choose to court one of these ladies or forget about them. He could only go back and forth like this for a short time, and he didn’t want to spend so much time with either of them that it would cause whispers from others.
He glanced out of the window and began to see more houses, so Allan knew the carriage was getting close to the town center where the doctor’s office and home was located. As the buildings got closer together, his nerves began to affect him.
Allan took a deep breath. It would only be a matter of moments before he would be face to face with Bridget again, and his mind was going blank.
The carriage slowed, and then stopped, and Allan felt the structure lean to the side, as the coachman stepped off. A few seconds later, the door opened, and Allan stepped out into the sun.
“Here we are, My Lord,” the coachman said. “Shall I wait or come back for you?”
“Please come back in a couple of hours,” Allan said. “It won’t be much longer than that, as I have some business to attend to after this meeting.”
“Very well,” the coachman replied, shutting the door, and raising the steps, which Allan had climbed out on. He then stepped back onto the carriage and began to drive it away.
Allan took a look at the door directly in front of him, and he saw the familiar sign: “Percy Crampton Surgeon.” He knocked on the door and took a step back. Only a moment later the door opened, and Mrs. Dunn, whom he had met the previous time he was here, appeared.
“Lord Wiltshire,” she said, “Please come in.”
Mrs. Dunn held the door wide, inviting Allan to walk through.
“Thank you, Mrs. Dunn,” he said, as he stepped into the darkened room.
“Please follow me,” she said. “Doctor Crampton is expecting you.”
As they did the last time Allan was here, Mrs. Dunn led him into another room, and offered him a seat. “The doctor will be here to see you in a moment,” she said. “Please make yourself comfortable, My Lord.”
“Thank you,” Allan said, as he sat down on a long bench. Mrs. Dunn left the room through a door opposite of the one they came through, and he was alone.
Allan took another breath, and he wiped his hands on his pants, as they were sweating. He was surprised that he was this nervous. He had spent so much time with Bridget, so it was strange to him that he would worry about it.
The door opened and Doctor Crampton stepped in. Allan stood as the doctor said, “Good morning, My Lord.” He extended his hand to shake Allan’s.
“Good morning, Doctor Crampton,” Allan said with a smile. “I trust you are well?”
“Indeed,” the doctor said. “How was your journey?”
“It went very well,” Allan said. “We started early, and I have some business to attend to, but as I mentioned in my letter, I wanted to stop in and see how you and your daughter were doing.”
Doctor Crampton smiled. “You did mention that, yes. We are doing well. She should be here, soon. I believe she had to take care of something minor in the office, but she knows you are here.”
Allan nodded. Now it would only be a couple of moments before he saw Bridget again.
“I must say,” Doctor Crampton said to him. “I daresay you didn’t come to see me, My Lord.”
Allan felt himself blush, but he saw that Doctor Crampton was smiling.
“I just ask that you treat my daughter with respect,
the doctor explained. “She hasn’t always been treated well by men of a certain standing.”
“Oh?” said Allan.
“I’m sure she will tell you when the time is right,” the doctor replied. “Perhaps, for now, the two of you should become reacquainted.”
“Yes,” Allan agreed, “We should.”
At that moment, the door opened, and Bridget stepped in. Allan couldn’t help but smile as she approached. Her blonde hair framed her face, and her eyes, though dark, were shining.
“Good morning, Bridget,” he said. He could feel that his voice was shaky.
“Good morning,” she replied. “I trust that your journey was comfortable?”
“Very much so,” Allan replied. Her gown was cut low around her breasts, and she didn’t have any type of covering over her chest like most of the ladies that Allan interacted with. He had a hard time not staring at her, and he instantly had to bring his mind back to the conversation, as his view was beginning to cause some physical urges.
“I have been speaking to your father,” Allan said to Bridget, “I was wondering if you might want to take a walk. Mrs. Dunn may accompany us, of course.”
“That sounds delightful,” Bridget said with a grin across her face. “Just let me get a parasol, hat, and gloves, and we can be on our way.”
Allan smiled back at her, and then watched as she went back into the next room.
“As I said, My Lord,” the doctor uttered, “I assume your intentions are honorable. I know that my daughter will appreciate the time away.”
“Yes, Doctor Crampton,” Allan replied. “I will have her back soon.”
Bridget, who looked ready for the walk, was followed by Mrs. Dunn, who was also carrying a hat, gloves, and parasol.
“Shall we go?” Bridget asked Allan.
“I am ready if you are, Bridget,” he said.
He turned and opened the door that lead to the entry room, and Bridget walked through. He then made sure to hold it open for Mrs. Dunn, as he wanted to make the right impression.
Mrs. Dunn paused and allowed Allan to walk next to Bridget, who had slowly begun to walk with her parasol over her left shoulder. Allan joined her on the right, with Mrs. Dunn walking behind them.
“It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?” Allan asked. The sun was shining, but it wasn’t overly hot.
“Oh yes,” Bridget said. “It’s gorgeous.”
“I’m happy you consented to walking with me,” Allan said. “I have really wanted to reconnect.”
“Oh, as have I,” Bridget replied. “I do often think of the time when you were under my father’s care. Though you were very sick and injured, over time, I thought that we were really getting to know each other.”
“I have to admit,” Allan said as they continued to walk, “I don’t remember a lot of it. That doesn’t mean, however, that I don’t appreciate the times I do.”
“Well,” said Bridget. “You were under the influence of opium for the pain, so that is understandable. I will tell you, however, that we did have interactions, even though you might not remember.”
“I believe you,” said Allan. “I have no reason not to trust you.”
“How have you been since returning home?” Bridget asked, as they continued to walk down the busy street.
“I have been well,” Allan said. “I have fully recovered, of course, and I have returned to my business dealings.”
“That’s wonderful,” Bridget said. “I’m so very happy to hear that.”
“Thank you,” Allan said. “And you?”
“I continue to care for my father’s house, and help him, when needed,” Bridget said. “As I said before, Mrs. Dunn helps him, too. It’s a good life, but a busy one.”
“I see,” Allan replied. “I, too, get quite busy.”
“Oh,” Bridget responded. “Though don’t you have staff to help? We only have Mrs. Dunn.”
“I do have staff,” Allan replied. “That is true. However, I don’t have nearly the amount of staff as my peers, and I have a larger home and land to care for. I could never do it on my own, nor with a helper such as Mrs. Dunn.”
“You are still an Earl,” Bridget said. “That counts for something, yes?”
“It’s a title,” Allan said. “That’s all. It doesn’t define me, nor does it define how I live my life.”
“How do you want to live your life?” Bridget asked.
“That’s a good question,” Allan said. “I suppose I simply want to be happy.”
“I think that’s what all of us want,” Bri
dget responded. “What would make you happy?”
Allan thought about it for a second, and then he said, “My cousin, Edward, is probably the happiest person I know, and I think having what he has would make me happy.”
“Well,” said Bridget. “What does he have?”
“He has a thriving business, a supportive family, a beautiful wife, and a lovely home,” Allan replied.
“You have a thriving business, it seems,” Bridget said, “Correct?”
“Yes,” Allan said. “It is getting better all of the time, too.”
“You also seem to have a supportive family,” Bridget replied. “And you have your friend…what’s his name, again?”
“Oliver,” Allan said. “And yes, you are correct on both of those.”
“Additionally,” Bridget continued, “You also have a lovely home, from what I gather, so it seems to me, the only thing you need is a beautiful wife to become a lady and Countess.”
Allan thought for a moment. Bridget was certainly bolder than the women he typically interacted with. He wondered if she was implying something by talking about getting a wife. Was she only interested in him because of his title?
“I think you are right,” said Allan.
“A wife could complete your happy life,” Bridget said. “And I look at it as the older we get, the harder it is to find a suitable partner…especially one that could change our lives.”
He wasn’t quite sure what she meant by that, but he wanted to find out. “What about you?” he asked. “Why have you never settled with a husband?”
“I have had prospects, of course,” Bridget said. “However, there was an incident, which I prefer not to talk about right now, and it has changed me. If I found a man I was interested in, who could change my life for the better, I would love to be married.”
Allan wondered what the incident might be, but as someone who had his own secrets, he left it alone. He certainly felt she was impressed with his title, and he didn’t know what he thought of that.
“Interesting,” said Allan, “Most women wouldn’t say that out loud.”
“I’m not like most women,” Bridget replied quickly. “If I have my eye on something, I will do what I can to get it.”
Allan wasn’t sure what to think about this, either. He couldn’t help but think she was talking about him, and it made him feel a bit uncomfortable. There was silence between them for a moment, and then Allan said, “Shall we turn around and head back? Unfortunately, I have business to attend to this afternoon.”
“Oh,” Bridget said. “Yes, of course.”
The pair turned, and Mrs. Dunn, who was still behind them, followed their lead.
“Is everything alright?” Bridget asked as they walked. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Oh no,” Allan said. “I was lost in thought about my business meeting. My apologies.”
“Oh, it’s fine.” Bridget replied. “If you turn left at the corner there, we will be very near home.”
“That is great,” said Allan. He was quickly realizing that he didn’t enjoy speaking with Bridget as much as he thought he might. Though, this was the point of taking the walk…to see how they got on one-on-one.
The pair continued to walk around the corner, and just as Bridget said, he could see the sign for the doctor’s office in the distance. He could admit to himself that she was certainly a very attractive woman, but he also had to admit that, perhaps, the attraction was only physical.
As they approached the door to the doctor’s office, Bridget turned to him and said, “I have greatly enjoyed our walk, Allan. I hope that we can see each other again, soon.”
He smiled at her in an effort to be polite, and then said, “I am entering a busy time for business, but I will be in touch.” I don’t want to totally lose contact with her. I have to think about this.
“Please tell your father that I must go, and I’m sorry I couldn’t tell him good-bye,” Allan said. “I must meet my coachman now.”
Bridget looked confused but nodded. “I understand that your business is important. Again, I really enjoyed our walk.”
“I’m glad,” said Allan. “I really must go. Thank you for spending time with me.”
“Good-bye, Allan,” Bridget said, as he walked away. He turned and waved. It was true that she was quite alluring, and he certainly was physically attracted to her based on his body’s reactions to seeing the curves of her breasts peeking out from her gown, but it was also true that there had to be more to a relationship than something physical.
He wasn’t sure where his carriage was, but he knew that it would be parked nearby. He realized that he had rushed away quickly, but he also recognized for sure that it was time to focus on something else that had been on his mind…or someone else…Esther.
So he just walked around a couple of streets until he saw it. The coachman was sitting on the front bench, and Allan waved. He was looking forward to getting his business done and getting home. He had a letter to write to Edward…it was time for a ball.
Chapter 17
“I will tell Mr. Smith you have arrived, Lady Esther.”
Esther had once again come to the orphanage where Honora had treated her so poorly. There was no sign of the woman, but another woman had treated Esther similarly upon her arrival. She couldn’t understand why they were rude to her. She was, after all, a great benefactor of the orphanage and the orphans.
She and her maid had been led into the same darkened room they had been in before, and the waves of a moldy scent washed over her. She couldn’t believe it, but the conditions seemed even worse than they had before.
As soon as she had gotten back from Mary’s dinner party, she had written to Mr. Smith, as directed by Honora on her last visit. He had responded with an invitation to meet, and this was exactly what she intended to do.
The door opened behind her, allowing a bit more light to come into the room, and Esther could see that the corners were damp. This must be where the odor was coming from. She turned, and saw a small, mousy-looking man walk in. She felt a shiver down her spine when she saw him, and quickly assumed that it was Mr. Smith.
“Lady Esther,” he said. “I am Mr. Smith.”
He didn’t look at her. He only sat down in the chair opposite her, and he stared at the ground.
“It is nice to meet you, Sir,” Esther said. “I am here to…”
“I know why you are here, Lady Esther,” the man replied sharply. “I’m afraid I have the same information that you received from Miss Honora. We don’t have the information you are seeking.” He continued to avoid eye contact with her. “I would imagine that Miss Sophia has been sent to another area. As for the child you asked about, we have no record of her whereabouts, either.”
“Are you telling me that you have closed down an entire orphanage, and you don’t know where the staff nor the girls are?” Esther asked fiercely.
Mr. Smith flicked his eyes up towards her, and then again, looked at the floor. “Yes, Lady Esther. That is exactly what I am telling you.”
“How is that possible?” Esther asked. She suspected that he was hiding information from her.
He looked up and stared at her directly in the eye. “All I can tell you…My Lady…” Mr. Smith said with a sneer, “Is that I have no information for you.”
“Would you have information if I made a gift to the orphanage?” Esther asked, finally understanding his game.
“Perhaps…” the man replied.
Esther was getting more frustrated by the minute. “Sir, no disrespect, but these are people’s lives we are talking about.”
Mr. Smith looked up at her again. His eyes widened, and he said, “If you want to know where they are, you will pay.”
Esther couldn’t believe her ears. She was furious, and it took all that she had not to lash out at him. “You are running an orphanage and caring for children! You should be ashamed of yourself.” she exclaimed.
The man simply shrugged and smirked. “
Is that all, Lady Esther?” he said.
“Yes,” she immediately stood up and motioned for her maid to follow. “You will hear from me again, Mr. Smith. Mark my words.”
With that, Esther turned quickly and walked out of the door into the dark, dank hallway. As before, she could hear the sounds of children yelling, crying, and speaking to each other, but she never could figure out where the sounds were coming from. She continued down the hall, walked out into the courtyard, and immediately motioned to the coachman waiting for her that she intended to board. She had to go home to speak with her father.
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