The Daughter of Highland Hall (37 page)

“Yes sir. It’s a great relief.”

He glanced at his watch, checking the time.

“Thank you for helping Helen,” Lydia said softly.

He glanced at Lydia again. “In the end, she didn’t really need my help.”

“Oh no, sir. If you hadn’t taken us to the East End, we might never have found Helen. And you were the one who explained her condition and told her about the clinic. I’m very grateful.”

“Well, I’m glad she’s safe and settled at the Pittsfords.”

“Yes sir. I hope to see her on Saturday.” Lydia glanced at Kate. “That is, if Miss Katherine is well and doesn’t need me.”

Kate reached up and took hold of the thermometer. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Jon sent her a serious look. “You must be still for us to get an accurate reading.”

She pressed her lips closed and scowled at him, but he could see the touch of humor in her eyes.

She was so adorable he could not hold back a smile. “It will only take another minute. Be patient.”

She lifted her eyes to the ceiling, looking frustrated that she must wait in silence.

Lydia turned to him. “Could I ask one more thing, Mr. Foster?”

“Of course.”

“Do you think Helen’s baby will be all right?”

Helen was not out of the woods yet, but he wanted to ease Lydia’s mind. “Her ankle swelling and headaches are a concern, but Dr. Pittsford is giving her the best care possible. I think she and the baby are going to be all right.”

Lydia’s tense expression eased into a faint smile. “That’s good.”

He nodded. “Yes, it is.” Then he checked his watch and removed the thermometer.

Kate studied his face. “What does it say?”

“One hundred and one point two.” He frowned, pondering the diagnosis. This was probably more than a cold, but she didn’t display any extreme symptoms, though he wished he had a stethoscope so he could listen to her lungs. Perhaps he should skip one of the meetings and go by the clinic to borrow one.

He shifted his gaze back to Kate. “You must stay in bed and rest, and drink plenty of liquids.” He turned to Lydia. “We want to keep her fever
under control, so she must dress lightly and use only a sheet and light blanket.” He folded back Kate’s heavy comforter. “Put this away for now.”

Julia strode in. “I’m sorry. Millie is having a difficult morning, and she needed me.” She looked back and forth between Kate and Jon. “How is she?”

Jon relayed his findings and suggestions for her care.

“Thank you, Jon. That sounds like a sensible plan.” Julia turned to Lydia. “Will you stay with Miss Katherine today?” The maid nodded. “You may call for Mrs. Adams if there’s a need. And I’ll ask her to check in with you a few times as well.”

“Yes, miss. I’ll make sure she has everything she needs.”

Julia glanced at Jon. “I should go back and spend a little more time with Millie before I go down to breakfast.” She laid her hand on Kate’s shoulder. “Take care, my dear. We’ll see you this evening.”

Kate whispered her thanks, and Julia left the room.

Jon turned to Lydia. “Could you bring up another pitcher of water and a washcloth?”

Lydia bobbed her head and hurried out the door.

Jon pulled up a chair and sat down next to Kate’s bed. “I’m sorry you won’t be going with us today.”

“Not as sorry as I am.” Kate sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “But I’m glad you have this time with your parents.”

“Yes.” Jon’s smile faded. “Although it may be a bit awkward.”

Kate looked his way. “Why do you say that?”

“I’ve made my decision. I’m going to stay in London and join Dr. Pittsford at Daystar, and I’m not sure how my parents are going to take that news.”

“Will you tell them today?”

“Yes. I hope they won’t be too disappointed.”

The slightest smile formed on her lips. “Well, I think it’s wonderful, and I’m quite proud of you.”

He straightened. “You are?”

“Yes. It’s very brave to choose your own path rather than the one that everyone expects you to take.”

“I don’t know how brave it is. Some people have told me it’s quite foolish.”

Kate’s eyes widened. “Who would say such a thing?”

“Dr. Gleason, for one. He said I was a fool to even consider teaming up with Dr. Pittsford.”

“Well, don’t listen to him. He’s just upset you won’t be joining him at St. George’s. The most important thing is to follow your heart.”

Jon frowned slightly. Was that what he was doing, making a decision based on desires and emotions? No, it was more than that, and he wanted to help Kate understand. “I believe the Lord is calling me to the East End, specifically to Daystar and the children’s center. So I wouldn’t say I’m following my heart.”

Kate tipped her head, looking uncertain of his meaning.

“Your heart can sometimes lead you in the wrong direction if you’re not careful.”

“But doesn’t the Bible say something about God giving us the desires of our hearts?”

“Yes, it does. But if we want to know God’s will and make decisions that please the Lord, then we must do more than follow our hearts. We also need to seek godly counsel, spend time in prayer, and wait on Him for peace and confirmation.”

She studied his face, questions shimmering in her eyes. “I wish I could be so sure of His leading for my future.”

Jon stilled. This was his opportunity to speak to her, to tell her he loved her and wanted to share the future with her … but another voice broke through, reminding him of his sister’s counsel and Kate’s deepest needs.

He lowered his head as a wordless prayer rose from deep within.

“Jon, what is it?”

He looked up and met her gaze, and new strength flowed through him. “The Lord loves you, Kate. He wants to be your closest companion and
guide. As you open your heart to Him, He will lead you toward the best path for your future.”

Tenderness and tears glistened in her eyes. “Yes … I know He will.”

His throat tightened, and hope rushed in like a flood.

Julia walked into the room. “Millie’s settled. I’m going down.” She hesitated, watching them both. “Are you coming, Jon? It’s almost time to go.”

“I’ll be right there.” Jon rose, but he wished he could stay with Kate. “I’ll be praying for you.” He offered her one more fleeting smile, then turned and walked out the door.

NINETEEN
 

Afternoon sunlight slanted through Kate’s open bedroom window, warming the air around her. The sound of motorcars humming along the street and the rattle of passing carts stirred her frustration. She had missed attending the first two days of the London Missionary Society meetings, and if her throat didn’t heal soon, she would miss the final day as well.

She crossed her arms and frowned at the ceiling.

Isolation and idleness were torture, and she’d had more than enough. Right now she would even welcome scrubbing pots and pans if they would only let her out of this bed.

Andrew and Millie had been kept away from her room in the hope that they would not catch whatever plagued Kate. Louisa had looked in once, but she would not come in the room. Perhaps that was not so much a burden as a blessing. Kate’s only consolation had been Lydia’s care and company, and the books Julia left for her to read.

She glanced at the stack on her bedside table—
Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice
, and the Bible.

Before Julia left, she’d laid her hand on the Bible with a wistful look in her eyes. “I think you’ll find great comfort in these pages. This is my own personal copy. I hope you won’t mind the notes and underlining.”

That had stirred Kate’s interest, and as soon as Julia left, she’d flipped through the pages, reading what Julia had inscribed beside several passages. Kate was surprised to see almost every page had at least one section underlined. Was it proper to write in the Bible? What did God think of Julia scratching notes on the pages of holy writ?

Kate lifted the Bible from the table and placed it on her lap. She flipped to Matthew 6 and continued reading in the middle of the chapter, where she’d left off earlier.

Julia had underlined verse 25: “Therefore I say unto you, take no
thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”

Kate gazed toward the window. She spent hours every day arranging her hair, dressing, and changing … getting ready for life. But how was she spending that life?

She glanced down and continued reading the rest of the chapter, which detailed God’s care for every creature. Julia had underlined verse 33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Kate lowered the Bible and pondered that thought. She had been seeking a place in society, an estate, and a life of her own … and most of all, a man who could give her all those things. But would that bring her love and a sense of belonging? Would it soothe the aching heart that had plagued her for so long?

Lydia walked in the door carrying a tea tray. “A letter arrived for you, miss.”

Kate closed the Bible and set it aside. Lydia settled the tray on her lap.

“Thank you.” Kate glanced down at the tea, toast, and strawberries, and sensed a pleasant stirring of hunger rather than the awful churning she’d dealt with since Thursday morning.

“How are you feeling, miss?”

“A bit better this afternoon.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Lydia glanced at the tray. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No, thank you, Lydia. I’m grateful for your kindness.”

Lydia smiled, obviously pleased with the compliment. “You’re welcome, miss. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Lydia picked up the empty pitcher from the dressing table and left the room.

Kate glanced at the envelope. The handwriting didn’t look familiar, and there was no return address. She slit it open, pulled out the stationery, and glanced at the bottom. Surprise rippled through her as she read Edward’s signature.

Dear Kate
,

I was so pleased to read the latest article in the newspaper about the Martindale case. I’m sure Mr. Leifstrom’s confession is a relief to you and your family, and I hope it will open the door for us to continue seeing each other
.

I have spoken to my parents, and they have softened their stance. But they are not comfortable with our being seen together in public, at least not yet. I thought they were being overly cautious, but I can see their point. It will take some time for your cousin’s involvement with the Martindales to fade from people’s minds. We don’t want to rush ahead and stir up gossip that would hurt our reputation
.

Kate paused. Whose reputation was he speaking of—his and hers, or his family’s? Either way it made her uncomfortable that he valued the opinions of others more than he cared about her thoughts or feelings on the matter.

But I am eager to see you again, and I believe my parents will agree to it very soon
.

With that hope in mind, I would like to invite you to accompany me to the Eaton versus Harrow cricket match on the seventh of July
.

I also wanted you to know MaryAnn has accepted Charles Felton’s proposal
.

Kate gasped. That horrible Charles Felton—the one who had looked her up and down at her ball as if he were undressing her? He made her skin crawl! She’d heard rumors about his drinking and carousing, and his behavior at the ball seemed to confirm it. How could the Wellingtons encourage their daughter to marry someone with such poor character? She shook her head and looked at the letter again.

Their engagement should appear in the newspaper next week, and my parents have planned an engagement party on the fifteenth of July. I hope everything will be settled by then and you will be able to join us that evening. Charles is from one of the finest families in London, and my parents are very pleased with the match. MaryAnn is not too keen on it yet, but I am sure she will see that my parents have her best interests in mind
.

Kate shuddered. No wonder MaryAnn was not happy about her engagement to Charles Felton. How could she be?

Well, my dear Kate, it seems brighter days are ahead for us. I just knew everything would come out right if we were patient. I hope to hear from you soon
.

Sincerely, Edward

Kate lowered the letter and stared toward the windows.
Poor MaryAnn
. How dreadful to be forced to marry someone you didn’t love. Didn’t Lord and Lady Wellington realize how unhappy MaryAnn would be with a husband who lacked integrity?

Kate sighed and shook her head. There was nothing she could do about MaryAnn’s situation.

She had her own issues to consider. She glanced at the letter, scanning the words once more. Edward said nothing about love or having any feelings for her. His letter seemed impersonal, almost like something he would’ve written to a friend from school. Should she respond and accept his invitation?