A Refuge at Highland Hall (26 page)

“There is a young lady there who is quite concerned about you and would very much like to pay you a visit.”

Did he mean his daughter, Julia—or had Penny told him about the letters they had exchanged? Either way, there was no point to it.

“I'm speaking of Miss Penny Ramsey.”

His heart lurched. “I don't want her to see me, not like this.”

The doctor watched him with a calm, nonjudgmental expression. “All right. It's your choice, but I'm not sure it's the right one.” With those words hanging between them, he walked back toward the house.

Alex stared at the doctor's fading image.

Call him back. It's not too late. Tell him you want to see her.

He clenched his jaw and looked across the parkland. He'd seen the shock and pity in the eyes of the nurses who tended him, and he couldn't bear the thought of Penny looking at him like that. No, it was better this way. If he kept her and everyone else away, he wouldn't have to worry about how they would respond.

Or about any more pain and loss.

Lydia trotted down the stairs and hurried into Highland's warm, steamy kitchen. Chef Lagarde stood at the worktable in the center, instructing one of the kitchen maids about the proper way to debone a duck. Mrs. Murdock stirred a tall pot on the stove, while she conversed with a second kitchen maid.

“Mrs. Murdock!” Lydia hurried toward her.

The cook turned. “Goodness gracious, what's the matter?”

“Sorry.” Lydia stopped and tried to catch her breath. “Miss Penny asked me to come down and deliver a message.”

Mrs. Murdock's eyebrow rose. “Well?”

“Today is Mrs. Kate's birthday, and Miss Penny would like you to make a special pudding to be served after dinner.”

“A special pudding?” Mrs. Murdock set aside her spoon. “How am I to do that when sugar is so scarce?”

Chef Lagarde leaned to the right and looked around the kitchen maid. “We have plenty of Highland's own honey.”

Mrs. Murdock crossed her arms over her chest. “It's not the same.”

He lifted his gaze toward the ceiling and turned back to his task.

“I suppose I could make Cherries Jubilee and use the cherries we preserved. Those are already sweetened.”

Lydia gave an eager nod. A special pudding was just what they needed to lift everyone's spirits. “Mrs. Kate loves cherries. I'm sure she'd enjoy whatever you'd make with them.”

Mrs. Murdock lifted her hand to her forehead. “Oh, law, I forgot Sir William and Dr. Jon are home from London. That'll be eighteen for dinner, counting all the children.”

“Don't forget, Lady Julia's parents are coming for dinner too,” Lydia added.

“Blimey! I'll have to triple the recipe!” Mrs. Murdock shook her head. “I know I don't have enough sugar for that.”

Chef Lagarde strode across the kitchen toward them, his face ruddy. “If you do not know how to make
ze
substitution with honey, I will show you.”

Mrs. Murdock's face flared pink. “I know how to make Cherries Jubilee.”

“But to replace sugar with honey,
zees
requires a special touch.”

“My touch is just fine, thank you very much!”

He pulled a sour face. “Why are you so stubborn?”

“Ha! You're the one set in stone.”

He growled under his breath. “If you would listen to me, you would learn some valuable lessons!”

“I don't need to learn anything from you! I know what I'm doing.”

The chef's nostrils flared as he narrowed his eyes. “We shall see!”

Mrs. Murdock lifted her chin, taking an equally stubborn stance. “Yes, we shall!”

Lydia stepped back, hoping not to get caught in the middle of verbal battles between the French chef and the Scottish cook. The conflict between them had been brewing since Mrs. Murdock's arrival at Highland, and it didn't look like it would be settled anytime soon.

Helen looked in the kitchen doorway. “Lydia, it's time to go. Everyone is waiting.”

She bit her lip and looked from Chef Lagarde to Mrs. Murdock. “What shall I tell Miss Penny?”

Chef Lagarde and Mrs. Murdock turned toward her, their faces lined in surprisingly similar scowls.

“You can tell her I'll be making a Cherries Jubilee, and Mrs. Kate's birthday will be celebrated in style!” Mrs. Murdock waved her off. “Go on, then! There's no need to stand around and clutter up my kitchen.”

“
Your
kitchen?” Chef Lagarde huffed. “
Non,
Madame. I think not.”

Mrs. Murdock's eyes widened and she sputtered, but the chef strode away before the cook could reply.

Lydia scurried out of the kitchen.

Helen met her in the hallway. “What was that all about?”

“Not to worry.” She grinned. “Just the same old tug of war.”

Helen chuckled, and they started up the stairs together.

Penny looked down the long dining room table. All the children seemed to be on their best behavior tonight, and so far, there hadn't been any spilled water or quarrelling. That gave everyone an opportunity to relax and enjoy Kate's birthday dinner. The meal had been delicious, but Penny could hardly wait for the dishes to be cleared so they could move ahead with their surprise.

Mr. Lawrence stepped up behind her. “Are you finished, miss?”

She nodded, and he reached down and whisked away her dessert plate.

She glanced at the children's empty dessert plates. It looked as though they had enjoyed their Cherries Jubilee as much as she had.

Julia laid her napkin beside her plate. “Ladies and children, shall we pass through?”

Penny popped up. “The children have prepared a special surprise, and we hope you'll join us in the great hall in five minutes.”

Murmurs and smiles traveled around the table. Even Aunt Agatha lifted her eyebrows in interest.

“We'd be delighted.” Jon nodded to Penny and then the children. “You may be excused, and we'll see you in a few minutes.”

The children grinned and exchanged secretive glances as they rose from the table and hurried out of the dining room. Penny followed them into the great hall.

Helen, Lydia, and Ann were arranging chairs for the adults in a semicircle facing the large marble fireplace. They looked up and greeted Penny and the children as they joined them.

“All right, children. Take your places.” Penny crossed to the piano and sat on the bench. The piano had been moved to the left of the fireplace and turned at an angle so she could play and see the children's faces.

The older children—Donald, Jack, Tom, Lucy, and Edna—took their places in the back row, a few feet out from the hearth. All but Andrew, who stood to the side, his shoulders slouched and a frown lining his face.

Would that boy ever grow up? “Andrew, please take your place next to Donald.”

He gave a bored sigh. “I'd rather not.”

Did he mean he didn't want to stand beside Donald or that he didn't want to take part in their songs? Either way, she was not going to let him spoil their presentation for Kate and the rest of the family. She rose from the piano bench.

His eyes widened for a split second, then he quickly resumed his bored, unhappy expression.

Penny crossed the room, leaned toward him, and lowered her voice. “Andrew, we've practiced these songs for days. What is the problem?”

“I'm not a child. I don't want to sing with them.”

She pulled in a breath, determined not to lose her temper. “You're right. You're a young man, and it's time you put aside childish ways and thought about doing what is best for others.”

He glared at her. “I'm not one of them. I'm the future master of Highland, and I ought not be required to sing with them.”

Penny clenched her hands, determined to keep her temper under control. “Keep your voice down.”

“This is my home, and I will say what I want, however loudly I'd like to say it.”

“That's quite enough! You will either join the others and sing with us, or you may go upstairs to your room right now.” A nervous tremor traveled through Penny, but she kept her gaze steady. What on earth would she do if he refused? No matter, as she couldn't back down now. “Well? What is your decision?”

He glared toward the group gathered by the fireplace. “Oh, all right. But I'm only doing it so I don't have to endure another lecture from my father.” He walked across the hall and stood at the end of the row of children, leaving a gap between himself and Donald.

Penny motioned him to move closer. He responded by taking a small step toward Donald, but there was still a noticeable gap. Well. It would have to do. She returned to the piano.

Lydia helped Rose, Susan, Irene, Abigail, and Millie find their places in front of the older children.

Helen took her daughter, Emily, by the hand and brought her forward. “Now stand here nicely by Miss Millie.”

Emily stuck her fingers in her mouth, looking a bit confused, but she seemed willing to stay with the others. Millie laid her hand on Emily's shoulder and smiled down at her. The little girl dropped her fingers from her mouth and grinned up at Millie.

Penny released a soft sigh. At least one of the Ramsey children had a tender heart toward others. Millie didn't care that the children had been born on London's East End. She was kind to everyone. Why couldn't her brother be more like her?

Julia peeked out the dining room door. “Are you ready for us?”

Penny turned. “Yes. Please come in.”

The adults entered the great hall and took their seats facing the children. Mr. Lawrence, Mrs. Dalton, Patrick, Ann, and Mrs. Murdock stood behind the chairs with several other members of the staff.

Penny nodded to Millie, and she stepped forward.

“Tonight we would like to sing three songs to honor Cousin Kate on her birthday and also to welcome Cousin Jon and Father home to Highland.” She stepped back with a beaming smile.

Penny played the introduction to their first song and nodded to the children. They sang a bit timidly at first, but soon their voices warmed and grew stronger, and the sweet sound filled the great hall. After the final note, the adults clapped and Dr. Foster called, “Encore.”

Happy smiles wreathed the children's faces, and even Andrew looked pleased at the response. They sang two more songs, and the adults clapped after each one, obviously enjoying the children's performance.

When the final song ended, Donald stepped around Andrew. “Mrs. Foster, we hope you enjoyed our songs, and we all want to wish you a very happy birthday.”

Kate smiled. “Thank you very much. The songs were lovely.”

Donald nodded to Rose, and she took a basket from the hearth and brought it to Kate.

“What is this?” Kate asked.

“Birthday cards. We made them for you.” Rose's eyes shone as she handed the basket to Kate.

“Why, that's very kind. Thank you.” She looked up. “This has been the nicest birthday I've had in many years.”

“I want to add my thanks as well,” Jon said. “Mrs. Foster and I are very proud of you children. We're pleased by your good behavior at dinner and the report given to us by Miss Penny.”

William rose and held out his hand to Julia. She stood up next to him, her cheeks and eyes glowing. “Before we end this happy gathering, Julia and I have an announcement we would like to make.”

William smiled at Julia, then looked around the group. “We are expecting an addition to our family this winter.”

Happy gasps and smiles flashed across several faces.

“An addition?” Rose asked, looking confused.

“A baby! They're going to have a baby!” Millie exclaimed, then she ran to Julia and her father and gave them hugs.

Tears misted Penny's eyes as she rose from the piano. What happy news! William and Julia had hoped for a child for so long, and now that dream would finally be fulfilled. Their child would be born only a few months after Jon and Kate's. They would grow up together and bring the family even closer.

Jon and Kate spoke to each of the children, thanking them for their cards and performance. The children said good night to everyone and went upstairs to prepare for bed. The rest of the family gathered in small groups to congratulate Julia and William and to wish Kate a happy birthday.

Julia's father approached Penny. “Might I have a word with you?”

“Of course.” She stepped to the side of the room, and he followed.

“That was a fine performance. You've done wonders with the children.”

“Thank you. They keep me on my toes, but I enjoy them so very much.”

“That's clear for anyone to see. You have a gift, and I believe you are making good use of it.”

She lifted her hand to her chest. “Thank you. That's very kind.”

He stroked his silver beard for a moment. “I have an idea I wanted to propose.”

Penny tipped her head and waited.

“Might you bring the children to sing at Northcote?”

Her heartbeat surged. “Northcote?”

“Yes, we have about twenty-five men there, all recovering from injuries. I think they'd enjoy hearing the children.”

“What a wonderful idea! Of course we'll come.”

He smiled. “I believe you know one of the young men there, Lieutenant Alex Goodwin?”

Her face warmed and she gave a slight nod. “Yes, I know him.”

His expression softened, and an understanding light filled his eyes. “Jon wrote to me about Alex and asked me to look in on him and see what I could do to help.”

Oh, how she longed to hear some news about Alex. “Have you seen him? How is he doing?”

Dr. Foster rubbed his moustache. “He is improving physically, walking with the help of a cane and building up his strength. His arm is healing well since the second surgery, but I'm afraid his spirits are quite low.”