The Orphans of Ardwick by Emma Hornby

Author:Emma Hornby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Transworld
Published: 2018-02-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

‘MISS JOSEPHINE’S DISCOVERED you’re back and is asking for thee,’ announced Hardman not half an hour later. She’d been summoned to carry tea up to the lady and though Pip would have willingly taken on the task, Mr Philip’s instructions for her to remain here until sent for had deterred her from offering.

Clearly, the doctor had finally taken his leave. Had Mr Philip confronted him about what she’d told him? she wondered, biting her lip. Was Miss Josephine even aware of what had occurred, what Pip had seen? Scraping back her chair, she took a deep breath. She was about to find out.

She yearned to see the fragile woman. She felt the strongest urge to protect her and, Pip told herself resolutely, that’s what she was going to do, whether certain folk beneath this roof liked it or otherwise. First things first, she had to try her hardest to get rid of that doctor for good and proper. Hopefully, now she was back, Miss Josephine would uphold her decision that his visits were no longer required. She was determined to get to the bottom of this. He was up to no good, she was sure. And from the name Mr Philip had let slip, his low-bellied wife was once again at the root of the problem.

Now, pausing outside her mistress’s door, she drew in air again to steady her nerves, unsure what the outcome of this summons would be. After smoothing down her apron, she knocked twice and entered.

‘My dear, dear girl.’

‘Eeh, Miss Josephine, I have missed thee.’ Crossing to the chaise longue, Pip took the slender hands held out to her.

Sad and anxious eyes relaxed a little and some colour appeared in her pale cheeks as Pip sat beside her. She smiled with a sigh. ‘Oh, I cannot tell you how pleased I am that you’re back. When I heard what had happened – what they claimed happened – I just knew right away it was pure fabrication. If nothing else, I watched you with my niece and it’s clear to see you’re most fond of the girl. What possessed Finch to commit such a deed, I suppose we shall never know; but oh,’ she continued in the same breath, closing her eyes in relief, ‘none of that matters, not now, for you’re here with me again. I … had a terrible attack of the nerves earlier today.’

Pip felt colour stain her cheeks. ‘Aye. Hardman said.’

‘Philip, he insisted Doctor Lawley be sent for.’ Now, it was the woman’s turn to blush to the roots of her hair. She dabbed at her mouth with a lace handkerchief. ‘Oh, thank the Lord you’re back,’ she whispered again with feeling.

What did he do to thee? Why? she wanted to ask but knew she couldn’t. The woman’s embarrassment was tangible. How could Pip reveal she’d witnessed the sinful act? She couldn’t, she couldn’t; the shame of it really would be more than the delicate nerves could bear.

‘I’m that sorry I weren’t here. But I shan’t be leaving again.

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