Page 70 of A Provincial Peer

“Caroline is with the baby?”

“Yes, m’lady.”

“How lovely.” There was a rustle of fabric, and suddenly, Lady Farwell appeared in the parlor doorway.

Caroline bobbed a curtsy. “Good day, my lady.”

“Caroline.” Lady Farwell approached her with a smile. “It seems an age since you were at the house, and yet it has been under a week. I am glad to see that you are well.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“And Meg? Is she well?”

“She is, my lady.”

“Wonderful. Please bring her to visit again soon.” Lady Farwell’s response suggested that she was in ignorance of Meg’s possible exposure to smallpox.

“We would be honored, my lady, but I fear we shall have to wait a little longer before calling on you. Meg is currently under quarantine at the vicarage.”

“Quarantine?” Her ladyship’s shock confirmed Caroline’s assumption. “Whatever for?”

“There is a chance that she was exposed to smallpox at the farm,” Caroline said.

“Good gracious. I had no idea. Did she have contact with Mr. Rowe?”

“Not directly, my lady. But she spent time with John at the stables, and he was with Mr. Rowe the night before.”

Concern filled Lady Farwell’s eyes. “Oh, my dear child, how incredibly difficult this must be for you.”

Caroline swallowed the lump in her throat. The kindly lady did not know the half of it. Yes, Caroline’s concern for Meg was ever present, but so too was her remorse over her harsh treatment of Benedict when he’d told her of Mr. Rowe’s condition. “It has been a trying few days,” she said. “Accompanying my father to the Simkinses’ home has been a welcome reprieve from watching for any sign of illness in Meg.”

Lady Farwell nodded understandingly. “I daresay Hester appreciates your visit also.”

“Most certainly,” Hester said. She had followed the noblewoman into the parlor. “An’ yours too, m’lady.”

Lady Farwell smiled and pointed at the bundle in Caroline’s arms. “This must be the newest resident of Leyfield.”

Caroline held up the baby so Lady Farwell could see his sweet little face. “Lady Farwell, meet Robert James Simkins. Robbie, this is Lady Farwell.”

The baby slept through the introductions, but Lady Farwell moved closer and touched Robbie’s clenched fist as it lay atop his blanket. “What a fine-looking young man,” she said.

Hester beamed. “Thank you, m’ lady.”

Footsteps sounded on the staircase. Each of the women turned, and moments later, Caroline’s father appeared in the doorway.

When he caught sight of Lady Farwell, his eyes widened slightly, and then he inclined his head. “I beg your pardon, my lady. I did not realize you were here.”

“I have only just now arrived, Reverend.”

“Then Caroline and I are fortunate to have seen you, albeit for only a few minutes. Forgive me for not staying to chat. I promised my granddaughter that I would not keep her mother away for too long, and I fear I have already passed into that territory.”

Thankfully, Lady Farwell had the grace to smile at her father’s comment. “I’ve heard it said that disappointing a grandchild should be avoided at all costs.”

“Just so, my lady. I may have significant repenting to do upon my return to the vicarage.”

“Ah. Then I’d best wish you a speedy return,” Lady Farwell said.

Caroline handed Robbie to his mother. The sleeping infant stirred, but Hester drew him close, and with a soft sigh, he relaxed against her.