Chapter 8

“You must have travelled extensively, Miss Barnes,” Henry’s sister commented, digging her spoon into her cheesecake.

Henry smiled when the pretty nursemaid was caught between taking another spoonful of cake or answering the question. She had already opened her mouth but closed it instead, putting the spoon down. It was evident she was enjoying her dessert. He rather liked a woman who appreciated good food. Inwardly sighing, Henry looked skyward. So much for reining in his thoughts.

“I have been to the four corners of the country,” Miss Barnes said. “I enjoy seeing the country, but sometimes being away from home is challenging. I love my family. It helps that Miss Ayres is with me. She’s my best friend and like a sister to me.”

She smiled affectionately at Miss Ayres, who looked at her with much love and adoration. Henry frowned. That didn’t solely look like familial or friendly love, but perhaps he had seen wrong. He wasn’t an expert on the subject of love.

“Do you have any siblings, Miss Barnes?” Aunt Hannah asked.

“No, I’m an only child,” she revealed. “My family tends to have one or two children, with most of them being girls. We have to find husbands to bring men into the family,” she added with a laugh.

Henry was suddenly interested in knowing if she had anyone special in her life. It would be taxing on the man for his love to travel so much. He didn’t know if he would be able to handle that.

“You must have been lonely growing up,” Juliana said.

“Not at all,” Miss Barnes replied. “People—young and old, always surrounded me. I never had the chance to be lonely or bored. There was always so much to do.”

“Your childhood sounds fascinating,” said Juliana. “Do you have any thoughts of settling down one day?”

The nursemaid smiled. “No, I don’t,” she said, startling Henry. “I have come as far as twenty-seven without the need for it. I doubt I will change my mind later.”

Strangely, that disappointed him. It shouldn’t because her choice had nothing to do with him, but he couldn’t shake off the disappointment. Miss Barnes obviously had a lot to offer as a wife and mother. It seemed a waste for her to remain alone. Her answer also implied that she had possibly never been courted. That thought seemed to make up for his initial disappointment.

“Oh,” said Juliana, taken aback. “Well, I suppose your profession would make making time for a family difficult.”

“If I wanted a husband and children, I would put them first and make time for them,” said Miss Barnes. “I think some people are meant to get married, and others are not.”

Everyone fell quiet at the table, likely taken aback by her response. Henry had never heard of a woman turning away from the path of motherhood, especially when she was a natural. It was a sad loss for the world of motherhood.

“I have never had cheesecake with a berry sauce before,” Miss Barnes said, smiling. “How is that possible? This is a match made in heaven! And to include freshly whipped cream? Marvellous.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” said Juliana.

“I have enjoyed all five courses, My Lady,” Miss Barnes told her. “My mother has often said that if I did not join the health profession, I likely would have become a cook.”

“A chef,” Miss Ayres corrected. “I do not see why only men are allowed to carry that title.”

The woman always looked ready to fight. Someone had definitely hurt her.

“I do not mind being called a cook, Alice,” she said. “A cook cooks.”

“And a chef also cooks,” Miss Ayres said stubbornly. “They carry more prestige than a mere cook. Being called a nursemaid is also not good enough. You are better than most physicians.”

Miss Barnes’ eyes widened. “Alice,” she said, her voice hushed. “Please, let us not do this. No one is disputing my abilities.”

Henry looked with interest between the women. This conversation had obviously happened many times before. Miss Ayres was fiercely protective of her friend and wanted everyone to know. She was probably indirectly warning them not to cause Miss Barnes any harm.

“Of course not,” Juliana assured when no one had said a word for longer than was comfortable. “Who on earth would dispute Miss Barnes’ abilities? Look at what she has managed to achieve in just a few hours. My son is sleeping soundly, and I got to hold him for the first time without trouble. That is worth so much to me. No simple physician could have done that.”

“Is there a reason why you feel we would question Miss Barnes’ capabilities?” Henry asked, addressing Miss Ayres.

The woman pinned him with her onyx-coloured eyes. “Yes, several, Your Grace,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “Would you care to know about them?”

“Alice,” said Miss Barnes, a plea in her voice.

“I have no qualms with hearing them,” said Henry. “In fact, I am quite interested since you feel so strongly about it.”

“Miss Barnes is—” Miss Ayres began, her eyes flashing.

However, Miss Barnes interrupted her, briefly placing her hand on hers. “I will take it from here,” she said quietly, but there was a firmness to her words that brooked no argument. She turned to Henry, her eyes filled with an emotion he couldn’t decipher. “Many physicians disapprove of the methods I use to help people,” she revealed.

“Because they work!” Miss Ayres blurted.

“Because they’re different,” Miss Barnes countered. “I have unintentionally ruffled a few feathers and made a few enemies who would rather I burn at the stake than treat anyone else.”

“Burn at the stake?” he said incredulously. “You’re jesting, aren’t you?”

“I wish she wasn’t,” Miss Ayres muttered, stabbing her cheesecake.

A little of the berry sauce splattered on the table. Miss Barnes quietly took care of the mess, not bothering to call a servant. Miss Ayres looked a little embarrassed, lowering her head as she ate the rest of her dessert. Miss Barnes patted her hand and added more cream to her friend’s plate, and Miss Ayres smiled, appearing a little happier than moments ago.

Henry was amazed. Just a small gesture was enough to change the woman’s expression. He had a feeling the nursemaid was capable of cheering up anyone, including him. She had made him smile several times already, and he even apologized to her because he felt guilty about how he spoke to her.

“I cannot imagine anyone making an enemy of you, Miss Barnes,” his sister said. “It seems odd.”

Miss Ayres spoke again, her eyes filled with anger. “It’s the very reason I find men ridiculous,” she began. “Instead of being happy that people are being treated for their illnesses, these men are angry that a woman is better than them.”

“I agree with you, Miss Ayres,” he said, shocking the women. “Men can be ridiculous and cannot handle the achievements of women.”

Henry inwardly grinned. He had managed to silence everyone around the table, but he quickly lost his urge to smile when he realized what they must think of him. They might as well have said he was included in the population of ridiculous men.

“I didn’t expect you to speak so favourably about women, Henry,” said Juliana.

Henry’s lips thinned. “You have never known me to disrespect women,” he pointed out. “I also happen to believe that women are capable of many things. However, society does not think highly of women who deviate from the norm. Miss Barnes can only expect more disgruntled men in her future. She will never have success without it because men do not like to be seen as inferior to women in fields they dominate.” He shrugged. “I suppose it’s human nature.”

Henry had spoken his mind and expected Miss Barnes to perhaps show some irritation regarding the truth, but she was smiling at him. He almost missed his plate as he attempted to scoop up more cheesecake on his spoon.

“It is refreshing to encounter a man who doesn’t feel the need to put women down to elevate himself,” she said. “Thank you.”

The nursemaid’s compliment hit him in the chest, spreading warmth throughout his body. Henry nodded and looked down, not knowing what else to say. He was a tad tongue-tied and didn’t want to respond with something foolish. The rest of the dinner was filled with happy chatter, a stark difference from the last six months. A man could get used to this, which worried him.

Miss Barnes would eventually leave, and things would return to the same dreariness. Unless ... unless he found a way to keep her working there. The thought was startling and ridiculous, especially when he barely knew her. But if he were honest with himself, he would admit that he knew enough.