Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Visiting with the administrator was not the easiest thing Dorian had ever done. As Dorian entered his office, the fellow stood up and came around his desk, hand outstretched. “You look wonderful, m’lord,” he said. “It would seem that visiting the continent has agreed with you.”

“It was enjoyable,” Dorian assured him.

“And you came back with a wife and child.” The administrator released his hand. “How can I help you, Lord de Clare?”

“Tell me the news. Let me know how the hospital is getting on.”

The administrator went back around the desk and sat down. “Mr Holt created a problem for us, make no mistake. For a while, we received no new patients at all, and some of the old ones left. But then we were awarded care of Mr Holt, himself.”

Dorian felt his eyes fly wide open, and he felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. “He’s here?”

The administrator smiled and nodded. “It seems that someone thought it only fitting that since we missed the warning signs, we should assume the responsibility.”

“How is he?” Dorian asked.

“Civil. Quiet. He has his notebooks, and he keeps writing things. We don’t allow him any laboratory equipment.”

Dorian blinked at that last. “Was there ever any suggestion that you should?”

The administrator moved some objects about on his desk. “Oddly enough, there was. Fortunately, wiser heads prevailed.”

“He is restrained?” Dorian asked.

“Yes, of course. Minimally. His room has bars on the walls, across the windows, and incorporated in the doors. We regard him as a very dangerous man, you see.”

Dorian nodded. “Good. Because I believe he is.”

“With that said,” the administrator added, “he is a dying man. He will not be a burden on our institution long.”

“I would say I am sorry to hear that,” Dorian said. “But it might be the kindest thing in the long run. I wish I could help him, but I have no idea how one would do it.”

“Nor do I. While we are on the topic of such things, I hope you are not here to take back up your position,” the administrator said. “I am not sure the community would well receive it.”

“No, no, nothing of the sort,” Dorian replied. “I find that I am happier making music.”

“Your hobby. Yes, I quite understand. And you are very good at it, I understand.”

Dorian felt his ears get hot at the compliment. “Good enough to be asked back, at least,” he said.

The administrator looked at him with sympathy. “I’m glad you have your talent to fall back on, m’lord,” he said. “I wish things had gone differently. We should have caught onto what he was doing sooner. But done is done, and no amount of regret will change it.”

“So sadly true,” Dorian said, rising and reaching across the desk to shake the gentleman’s hand.

“Would you like to see him?” the administrator asked.

Dorian felt a light shudder run through him. “No, I don’t believe I do. I’ll just see myself out.”

“Very well,” the administrator said. “Best of luck to you.”

Dorian stepped out into the late summer sunshine, blinking in its brightness after the cool dimness of the hospital halls. In a sort of daze, he walked down to his carriage. “De Clare Place,” he told the driver.

Dorian leaned back against the seat cushions. He still needed to speak with Emma. Despite her father’s actions, she was owed a dowry since she was marrying someone else. It is for the best. She will do well with August, who will nurture her.

When he returned to the manor, he was surprised to hear voices from the dining room. It was early, and even though she was now a mother, Lenora still loved to sleep in when she could.

As he stepped to the door, he was even more surprised. Lenora and Emma were sitting at the table together.

“There you are!” Lenora said. “I wondered where you had got to! Emma has come to call and personally deliver invitations to her wedding breakfast.”

“Very nice to see you,” Dorian said, entering the room and sitting down beside Lenora, across from Emma. “I was just thinking that I should make arrangements for your dowry.”

Emma blushed. “Surely there is no need for that. But there is something I want. Since my father will not be available to support me, could you give me away?”

Dorian did not know what to say for a moment, but Lenora elbowed him gently in the ribs. “Of course,” he said. “I would be glad to do so.”

***

The wedding was a quiet one, attended mostly by family members even though August was the Temple heir. The breakfast was held in de Clare place, then the bride and groom rode to Aldham Park where August and Sir Francis resided.

Dorian and Emma had agreed to give the hospital use of de Clare Place. It would become a dedicated children’s ward, a sort of memorial to the unfortunate street urchins who lost their lives to Jonathan Holt. Neither of them wanted to live there after everything that had happened.

After the wedding, Lenora and Dorian were already packed, including Dorian’s pianoforte, the ancestral pictures, and other special things they remembered from their shared childhood. The hospital would take over the building but not the furnishings and family heirlooms.

“It is too bad we can’t take the stair bannister,” Lenora said. “We had such fun sliding down it.”

“Lenora!” Lady Temple exclaimed. “You didn’t!”

Lenora giggled, and Dorian laughed. He said, “We both did while you and Mother were not looking. Emma was always too afraid to try it.”

“Thank goodness for that!” Lady Temple exclaimed. “The two of you scandalized the poor child enough as it was.”

“Do you think she and August will be happy?” Lenora asked. “Not that I would want to give Dorian up, mind you.”

“Good,” Dorian said. “I believe it is a little late for that. But I, for one, think she will be. August is clearly besotted with her.”

“And with his father’s example of what philandering can do to a family, he is unlikely to cause her the kind of pain Francis gave to me,” Lady Temple added.

“She mentioned seeing her father,” Lenora said. “That doesn’t seem healthy or safe to me.”

“He is a dying man,” Dorian said. “I spoke with the hospital administrator not long before the wedding. I do not think anyone would deny Emma any last moments with her father.”

They were all silent for a few minutes. Then the coach driver spoke up, “Lord de Clare, begging your pardon . . .”

“Yes?” Dorian replied.

“We’d best be getting you all inside the coach if we are to make the tide. Chartered packet or not, wind and water wait for no one.”

“Of course,” Dorian said.

The nurse, her child, and their own little boy were all loaded up in the carriage already. Dorian handed up first his mother-in-law, then his wife, and finally climbed up himself to settle between Lenora and the door.

“It was pleasant to see August and Emma wed, but I must say I am glad to be leaving England again,” Dorian said. “There are too many unpleasant memories overlaying the good ones.

“Is our new home in the country?” Lenora asked.

“At the edge of a sizeable town but near the vineyards and groves,” Dorian replied. “There is a big lawn space with flowers and fountains. I am sure you will all love it.”

“I’m sure we will,” Lady Temple remarked. “It is to be hoped we shall have sun. If it is in the country, there will be ample opportunity for your little one to be out of doors.”

Their passage was without event, as was the coach journey from Calais to the French town. As promised, the manor was poised between the town and the countryside.

To Lenora’s delight, their leased house included stairs with a wide, solid bannister that was perfect for sliding down.

Better yet, for familial relations, there was a separate wing that was perfect for Lady Temple, where she could entertain her friends without disturbing Dorian and Lenora.

Dorian’s pianoforte fit perfectly in a downstairs room, not too dissimilar to his music room at de Clare Place. He could often be found there composing music that reflected their contemplative country life.

On one such evening, Lenora came to him and sat on the music bench beside him. “Dearest,” she said, “I have something to tell you.”

“What is that?” he asked.

“Our family size will be increasing.”

“Increasing?” Dorian tried to pull his mind out of quarter notes, sharps, and flats, for he had been composing a new piece.

“I’m going to have another baby,” she said.

“You are?” Dorian exclaimed. “That is wonderful!” He put his arms around her, feeling the solid warmth of her. “When should we expect this miracle?”

Lenora began counting off on her fingers. “Spring, I should think,” she said. “The perfect time for new babies of all kinds.”

“What an amazing thing!” Dorian said. “Do you suppose he will be a birthday present for our eldest?”

“I have no idea,” Lenora said, snuggling into his arms.

Dorian bent his head and kissed her soundly.

THE END