Shadows of Doubt by Elizabeth Johns

Author:Elizabeth Johns [Johns, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Goodreads: 25878691
Published: 2015-07-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Lady Easton hoped her plan of throwing Miss Lambert and Dr. Craig together had not already backfired. She found them walking along the path to the cliffs discussing Gwen’s mother’s illness with passion and animation. She had best discourage furthering this acquaintance quickly.

“How was the seminar?” she asked as she reached the pair.

“Very interesting. Much of it was beyond my understanding, but I do believe it was what my mother suffered from,” Gwen remarked.

“I confess I am eager to learn anything I can from you,” Dr. Craig added.

“I beg your pardon. Am I interrupting?” Elly asked.

“Not at all. I need to check on some of the men. Thank you for sharing your mother’s story with me, Miss Lambert,” Dr. Craig said earnestly.

“Of course. I am happy to oblige anytime you like.”

That was what Elly was afraid of. Dr. Craig walked back into the school.

“Miss Lambert, would you walk with me?”

“Certainly,” she said agreeably.

“Do you mind my speaking frankly?”

“No, of course not.”

“Some do, you know. I can never abide those that will not say what they mean.”

“I do recall that from my Society days, but those were few and very long ago.”

“Yes, my Grandmamma has told me some of your situation. I also heard you and my brother were acquainted.”

Gwendolyn blushed, despite wishing she could control it. “Yes, I have had the privilege of becoming friends with Mr. Abbott.”

“Are you as taken with him as he is with you?”

Gwendolyn was speechless. Had Mr. Abbott spoken to his family about her? “I have no notion of his feelings.”

“I can see I was too frank, but most ladies in your circumstances would have leapt at your cousin’s marriage proposal. My Grandmamma was my informant, as I can see you are wondering. My brother has not broken any confidences. Tell me, Miss Lambert, do you want to go to America? My father said you expressed a desire to travel and went as far as to offer yourself as housekeeper.”

“I am not certain what I want to do right now. Or what I would do when I arrived there, but I do want to see the world.”

“River’s Bend is a heavenly place. I spent six years there, you know. It would be a wonderful opportunity for you. However, going alone would not be quite the thing. Society there is more forgiving, but they still observe certain proprieties. Not that I was ever good at minding them, but I did have my father there to look out for me.”

“Your brother has told me some of what it is like. I am certain you are correct, and that it would be difficult for me to establish myself with no connections or money. It was the reason I suggested myself as housekeeper.”

“I assumed as much, but it still would not be proper to go alone, you know.”

“I had already dismissed showing up at the door as a wanton.”

Lady Easton gurgled appreciation. “Perhaps. Perhaps not.” Gwen could see the wheels turning in Lady Easton’s head. “Has my brother offered you marriage, Miss Lambert?”

Again, Gwendolyn found herself blushing and speechless.

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