“My housekeeper is making the guest room ready for you. I am so glad that you came to me – you could not have stayed in that house tonight of all nights.”
“I confess that I have had enough of my stepfather’s ire to last me a very long time,” added Novella, “my only concern is for Mama. The nurse is due to arrive at any moment and I fear that should I not be there to receive her she will be sent away.”
“From what Hubert told me about your housekeeper’s grumblings, I would think it likely that Mrs. Armitage would drag her back by her hair before she’d see her leave!”
Novella laughed for the first time in a long while.
“You are right. Mrs. Armitage has been nagging me constantly to find a nurse. She says that she was not hired to tend the sick.”
“I think we are all agreed that your mothe
