Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

T he snow had started melting away, so when Robert went out on his morning visits, he took Tim along with him. Whenever his son took to sliding in the ice or splashing in the puddles, Robert made sure to place the little boy on his shoulders to avoid him getting too dirty. He didn’t want to make Mrs. Rosemont’s job of putting him to bed more difficult than it already was.

He knocked on Mr. Sims’ front door and set Tim on his feet again just as Mr. Sims called, “Come in!”

His dog Charlie barked loudly and rushed up, making Tim jump behind his father, but Robert knew the dog only wanted some attention, so he petted him roughly behind the ears.

“It’s just the good doctor, Mr. Sims,” Robert announced. “And I brought my son with me today.”

Mr. Sims nodded, waving from his chair by the fire. “Yes, yes, come in! It’s too cold to linger by the door.”

Robert moved in front of the old man and nudged Tim. “Son, why don’t you greet Mr. Sims?”

Mr. Sims reached out his hand between them. “How do you do, my boy?”

Tim, of course, did not say a word, but he did accept the blind man’s hand and give it a vigorous shake.

“He doesn’t say much these days,” Robert explained.

“Ah, no matter. He’s done it just right,” Mr. Sims said with a chuckle. “Now, why don’t you send him over to Charlie? I’m sure he’ll give your son a good number of kisses.”

Indeed, when Charlie started licking Tim’s face, the young boy couldn’t help but giggle and pet him back.

Robert picked up his bag and pulled out the tools and ingredients for the fennel poultice. “How is the swelling today?”

“Not bad. In fact, it’s probably improved better than before.” An easy smile set over Mr. Sims’ face. “I thought my party days were long over, and that my night at Mrs. Fezziwig’s ball would be to my detriment. But instead, I feel revitalized. Perhaps I should go out in society more.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Robert said with a chuckle. “Though our society in Hamstead is quite small, so there’s no telling when the next ball will be held.”

“On the contrary, I’ve received another invitation just yesterday.” Mr. Sims pointed to his side table. “Look, just there, Mrs. Foster brought in my post.”

Robert reached over, and indeed, it was a beautifully scripted invitation.

At Longford Manor.

On Christmas Day.

His jaw could have dropped to the floor. Wasn’t it supposed to be a Christmas dinner for the wealthy and titled only? What business could Mr. Sims possibly have there? But no, this invitation was for a Christmas ball. What had Caroline done?

“Mighty impressive, wouldn’t you say?” Mr. Sims went on, beaming with pride. “And the woman hardly knows me, but I think I charmed her at Mrs. Fezziwig’s. How could she say no?”

Robert swallowed his shock and set down the card. “Indeed.”

He went about the rest of his visit like a ghost, not fully present, only offering muted sounds as answers, his hands hardly able to manage their own work. But once Mr. Sims had his needs met, Robert gathered his son and bid the man good day.

They walked in silence, Tim happily skipping along, until they walked through the center of the village. The wind turned fierce, and Tim’s hand trembled in Robert’s grasp.

“Are you cold, son?” Robert asked and Tim nodded. “Then perhaps we’ll take you back home first, before I finish my visits.”

Tim tugged on Robert’s coat, and pointed at the butcher shop, which had the carcass of a large turkey hanging in the display window.

“My boy, that’s near the size of you!” Robert exclaimed, patting him on the head.

The butcher stepped out the door, wiping his hands on his apron. “Mr. Cratchit, come take a look at this turkey. It would surely be a Christmas feast, wouldn’t you say?”

Tim turned, casting his large, innocent eyes on his father. They were begging eyes, easy to read without a word being spoken. And Robert’s heart broke, for there was no possibility of his being to afford such a meal. Not even for Christmas.

“It certainly would be,” Robert replied, tipping his hat at the man before walking on.

Once they were out of earshot, Robert sighed and squeezed Tim’s hand. “Maybe someday, Tim. I should very much like to provide you with such a glorious feast, but it would take nothing short of a miracle.”

Tim nodded, walking a little slower now, but the smile on his face remained.

Upon returning to their cottage, the warmth of the place embraced them. Mrs. Rosemont was already preparing dinner, and Martha ran up to greet them. “Can I go to Mrs. Marley’s for music lessons?”

Robert let out a breath of a laugh as he helped Tim out of his coat and scarf. He was still reeling from the discovery of Mr. Sims invitation; he didn’t know if he was ready to face her now. “Today? Even if Kitty cannot join you?”

Martha nodded emphatically. “Mrs. Marley said I was improving greatly, and I do not want to lose momentum now.”

“Well, I… I do not know…”

“Perhaps you should, then you could confirm with her about this.” Mrs. Rosemont held up a card, not too dissimilar from the one Mr. Sims had received. “It’s an invitation to a Christmas ball.”

Robert let out a sigh, taking the card in hand. Caroline was actually doing it, changing things, because of their conversation. She was trying to tell him something, to make a point. And he would have to talk to her eventually.

“Very well. Get your coat and things,” he said.

Martha hurried to ready herself, and Robert found himself subject to Mrs. Rosemont’s glare. “What do you suppose?” she asked quietly.

“Mr. Sims also received an invitation, so she must have invited the entire village.”

Mrs. Rosemont pursed her lips. “Should we attend?”

“I don’t see why not. The children would love to go, of course.”

“And you? What would you like to do?”

“At the moment, I hardly know.” Robert shook his head. “Come along, Martha.”

Once back outside, his breath appeared in a puff of smoke before him as his boots slopped in the mud down the lane.

“Papa, do you think we might visit the Dilbers today?” Martha asked. “I want to see what they might need before Christmas.”

His heart swelled for the generosity and thoughtfulness of his daughter. “Not today, I’m afraid. I have other patients to visit, so I cannot stay with you. And I do not want to inconvenience Mrs. Marley any more than necessary.” In truth, he did not want to even see Caroline, let alone ask this favor of her, but again he found himself unable to deny his children the little things within his control.

Which is why he was so hesitant, standing on her front step with his hand lingering in the air, unable to knock at the front door. He was terrified of what Caroline was doing, what it all meant.

“Use the door knocker, Papa,” Martha said. “I’ve always thought it was so pretty.”

Shaking himself from his thoughts, Robert cleared his throat, examining the old door knocker. “Very well,” he said, lifting it to announce their presence.

The butler welcomed them in, and Caroline appeared around the corner with a bright smile on her face. “Good day, Robert, Martha.”

“Do you suppose I might be able to practice today, Mrs. Marley?” Martha asked.

“Well, certainly, my dear.” Caroline’s eyes met Robert’s. “Will your father be staying with us today?”

Robert shook his head, heart pounding in his throat. “I have patients to attend to. You will be able to see her home as before?”

“Of course.” She smiled, no doubt recognizing that he was trusting her again, despite the current tension that surrounded them. She glanced at Martha. “Did you receive my invitation?”

“Yes, and we are so grateful for it. I am excited to attend another one of Aunt Fanny’s balls. Well, here in Aunt Fanny’s house.”

Caroline nodded. “Indeed, I hope she approves.” Then turning her gaze to Robert again, she said, “Why don’t you run along to the music room, Martha? I’ll send a footman to start the fire, and I’ll join you in a moment.”

Martha curtsied and waved to Robert in parting, until they were finally alone in the front foyer.

“Will you come?” she asked, her voice small but her eyes large with hope.

Robert rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. “I have no reason not to. You have invited the entire village, I presume?”

She nodded emphatically. “The last thing I would ever want is for you or your family to be uncomfortable or feel unwanted.”

It was easy to see this was not the same woman who had returned to Hamstead weeks before. Those words were spoken by someone humble, and the Caroline Marley he knew was anything but. He didn’t know what had inspired the change in her, but she was becoming someone else. No longer the woman she had been, but she couldn’t go back to the girl she used to be either. Not with all she had suffered, not with the lives that they had lived apart. She was becoming someone new, and he wanted to know her, to see this change come to fruition.

“Then we will be happy to attend.” He offered her a small smile. “My family thanks you for the invitation.”

He tipped his hat at her and stepped back out into the cold.

Robert knew that to change an event, mere weeks before it would take place, could have been considered a societal failure. Especially with such a change as this, discarding the elite-only dinner invitation, and instead inviting the entire village, regardless of status. If she was willing to lose the respect of those noble and wealthy connections, if she had already made that sacrifice, then maybe she was willing to stay. Maybe he could allow himself to hope after all.