Prologue

London 1841

“If you are asking for my professional opinion, Miss Morton, then I would be happy to suggest that Mrs. Frogerton might benefit from a change of scenery,” Dr. Harris said rather pompously. “Whether the spa waters in Bath will have any effect on her wellbeing, I cannot say. Some people believe the minerals will provide a miracle cure for all ills but I’m not one of them.”

Caroline Morton looked up at Dr. Harris, who had chosen to stand in front of the fireplace of the rented Half Moon Street house with his hands clasped behind his back. She assumed he was attempting to look dignified, but it felt more like he was still sulking after their recent falling out when he’d definitely not attempted to propose to her.

“Do you think she will manage such a long journey?” Caroline asked,

His brows drew together. “She’s not ‘ill’, Miss Morton. Just rather low in spirits.”

“She was stabbed, sir.”

“That was months ago, and the wounds were mostly superficial, and have all healed leaving her with hardly a scar.”

“There’s no need to be so dismissive,” Caroline said. “She is truly suffering. I can’t bear to see her in such lowness of spirits. Even the news that Dorothy is expecting her first child has failed to rouse her.”

“As I said earlier, Miss Morton, I agree with you that things are not ideal, and I am not attempting to diminish Mrs. Frogerton’s suffering one bit. Taking her to Bath is an excellent idea.”

“Then why couldn’t you just say so and leave it at that?”

“Because you asked for my professional opinion.” Dr. Harris glared at her. “It’s not my fault that you’ve decided to take every word I say and use it against me. God knows why because I’m the one who made himself look like a complete fool. I don’t need to be constantly reminded of it.”

“I didn’t think you were foolish.”

“I beg to differ.” He met her gaze. “I attempted in my own awkward manner to ask if you might consider marrying me and was turned down flat. It’s amazing that I have the nerve to show my face here after being told I wasn’t good enough to marry an upper-class lady.”

“Our disagreement had nothing to do with my class!” Caroline said. “Your ‘proposal’ was so obscure as to be insulting, and I certainly never mentioned my current status in life, but perhaps it needs to be said. You can’t afford a wife, I’m currently employed, and I intend to complete the year I was paid for.”

He frowned. “You have an inheritance due. You don’t need to work out your notice, Mrs. Frogerton wouldn’t insist upon it.”

“But I prefer to stick to our previous arrangement.”

“Simply to have a convenient excuse to avoid dealing with me?”

Caroline barely restrained the urge to stamp her foot. “Dr. Harris, not everything is about you. I intend to fulfill my contract because it is the right thing to do.”

“And let’s not forget that you have an extremely eligible suitor waiting in the wings to sweep you away.” Dr. Harris said.

“If you’re speaking of Inspector Ross, he is busy dealing with the ramifications of his brother’s death. I’m fairly certain he has no time to be throwing out proposals to anyone.”

“But you’ll wait until he does, won’t you?”

“That is none of your business!” Caroline locked gazes with the doctor. “What offends me, sir, is the complete withdrawal of your friendship.”

“What nonsense is this?” Dr. Harris demanded.

“It isn’t nonsense to me,” Caroline raised her chin. “I thought we were friends. I didn’t realize that explaining why neither of us are in a position to marry would offend you so deeply that you stopped being my friend and made assumptions about my other relationships.”

Dr. Harris opened his mouth and then abruptly closed it again. An uncomfortable minute ticked by marked by the clock on the mantelpiece before he stirred.

“Caroline…”

“If you are going to say something horrible, will you please stop? I don’t think I can deal with you for much longer today.”

“I admit I am finding it difficult to see you as a friend when I hoped for so much more,” he said carefully. “But I had no intention of deliberately hurting you.”

“Thank you.”

“And I hope that when things settle down, we can still be friends.” He looked at her. “I, too, have learned to value our relationship.”

“Things will settle down when Mrs. Frogerton is restored to good health,” Caroline stood up. “I can assure you that I have no other thoughts in my mind except that.”

“Good,” he said. “For Mrs. Frogerton’s sake, I mean,” he added hastily. “But if you do rush off and marry Ross, you will let me know, won’t you?”

“As I said—”

He spoke over her. “You aren’t making any decisions until Mrs. Frogerton is her old self again. I can recommend a couple of physicians in Bath who aren’t complete quacks, if you’d like?”

“Thank you, that would be most welcome.”

“I’ll find their addresses and send them to you,” Dr. Harris promised. “Now, I have to go. We have a very busy day on the ward and I’m not supposed to see private clients when I’m working.”

“Thank you for coming,” Caroline walked with him to the front door. “I’ll let you know when all the arrangements have been made for our removal to Bath. I need to find accommodation, decide how we’ll travel, and—”

He took her hand. “You’ll manage. You always do.”

“I appreciate your confidence in me.”

He laughed and brought her fingers to his lips. “Goodbye my dear friend. I won’t bother you by coming around unless you absolutely need me.”

He turned to pick up his hat, opened the front door, and with a last cheery wave, went out into the sunshine.

Caroline watched him walk down the street, her feelings in some disarray. At least they’d managed to return to a civil discourse after the last uncomfortable months. She’d missed sparring with him.

She shut the door and slowly walked up the stairs to her employer’s bedroom. Mrs. Frogerton sat in her chair by the window, her dogs around her, her gaze on the garden. It was still something of a shock to see her so quiet and still when she normally bristled with energy.

Caroline went to sit opposite her. “Wasn’t it nice to see Dr. Harris, ma’am.”

Mrs. Frogerton looked at her over the top of her glasses. “Indeed, it was, but we both know that he came to observe me in his professional capacity, and not just as a valued friend.”

“I confess that I did ask him to offer an opinion about your current health,” Caroline admitted. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“After being poked and prodded by half the medical men in London one more doesn’t make much of a difference,” Mrs. Frogerton drew her shawl more tightly around herself. “And we both know that they all say the same thing—my wounds have healed, and everything else wrong with me is merely female hysterics.”

“Dr. Harris certainly didn’t say that.” Caroline said.

“Then what did he say?”

“That a change of scenery might prove beneficial in lifting your spirits,” Caroline said. “He thought the healing waters in Bath was an excellent notion.”

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