Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

R obert did not rest until Martha’s fever broke two days later, and only then did he fall asleep beside her bed in exhaustion. All the anxiety and tension, not only from his daughter’s health, but also with Caroline’s involvement, left him utterly depleted.

When he woke, he found Martha sitting up in bed with Tim snuggling beside her, while Mrs. Rosemont fed her soup. But already she had more color in her cheeks, and a persistent smile on her face, so he relaxed with a sigh.

“Good morning, Papa,” Martha greeted him as he stood.

“You should try sleeping a little longer,” Mrs. Rosemont told him firmly. “You’ve hardly slept since Martha came home.”

“I’ll sleep later,” he said, moving to press his hands to Martha’s face. Her body heat felt normal, no longer fevered or clammy or freezing like before. The feeling of a cold body was too disturbing, especially in his line of work. “Thank God you’re well.”

“I do feel better,” Martha said, her eyes bright even though her voice was tired. “I’m sorry to have worried you.”

“No matter. Your only concern is to recover.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“Shall we fetch you some soup as well?” Mrs. Rosemont asked, and Robert nodded. “Very well, come along, Tim. Let’s give them a moment alone.”

With a sigh, Robert collapsed in the bed next to his daughter with an arm around her shoulder.

“I think it will be a long time before I let you out of this house again,” Robert said good naturedly, patting her arm.

“I am sorry, Papa,” Martha offered in a quiet voice.

He sighed, looking down at her with a slanted eye. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what happened, and who I have to be angry with that you were in danger?”

“It is my fault, Papa.” Her eyes were so earnest. “You took me to Mrs. Marley’s to practice the pianoforte, but before we went, I asked about going to the Dilber’s. I had not seen Clarice since the night of the ball, and I wanted to make sure she had not fallen ill since then. That much is true.”

Robert shook his head. This girl’s compassionate heart was to her own detriment. “And I told you that we might not have time, didn’t I?”

She nodded. “Yes, you did. But I was talking with Mrs. Marley, and I asked her… I asked her if she still cared for you.”

“What?” Robert shot back, looking down at his daughter in shock. “Whatever would make you ask such a thing?”

She shrugged. “Mr. Scrooge said you used to love her, but then seeing you with Mrs. Marley, you didn’t even act like friends very often, let alone acquaintances.” Martha looked up at him directly. “But I like her very much, and I wanted to know if she still felt the same.”

Robert shifted uncomfortably, rubbing a hand over his neck. “It really is a private matter, and you should not ask such things of others.”

“She said I could ask her anything. And she told me she did care for you, that she was sorry for everything in the past, and she was trying to be worthy of you.” Martha placed a hand on her father’s arm. “But please do not be angry with Mrs. Marley. None of this is her fault.”

“No?” Robert asked steadily. “I feel she ought to share some of the responsibility. I had left you in her care, and I trusted her to look after you. She should have seen you to Fred’s or the Dilber’s or wherever you were going. How could I trust her when she did not do right by you?”

Martha straightened in the bed. “I am the one who lied to her, so you ought to be angry with me. I told her I was going to the Scrooge’s but instead I went to the Dilber’s.”

“Fine. You and I will have a talk about telling falsehoods, and you are forbidden from ever walking around the village on your own.” Robert took Martha’s face in his hands. “But I should have warned you not to become attached to Mrs. Marley. I have a feeling she will not be staying in our village very long. She will be going back to London, likely to marry that terrible duke.”

Martha shook her head earnestly. “No, Papa. She went to his house to end her association with him, to refuse his proposal.”

All the chill from that snowy night returned, settling in Robert’s stomach. “What?” he breathed.

“That’s why I wanted to go to the Dilber’s.” Martha ducked her head, cheeks turning pink. “I was… excited about the prospect, so I wanted to tell someone. I couldn’t tell Kitty because Mrs. Marley is her aunt, but I wanted to go see Clarice and tell her I might have a mother again.”

“A mother?” Robert exclaimed, his heart pounding painfully within his chest. “Martha, what in heaven’s name gave you such an idea?”

“Mrs. Marley is different now, Papa. I have visited her house so many times, and I could tell how lonely and distant she was at first. She used to be so cold, but she is all warmth and smiles now. She is different. She said she was trying to change, to heal whatever in her heart is broken.” Martha paused, looking up at her father again. “You help other people heal all the time. I know she hurt you a long time ago, but why can you not help her heal by offering your forgiveness?”

The words in their simplicity struck Robert to the core. He tried to rally but spoke with an unsteady voice. “I forgave her a long time ago.”

“I don’t think you have. Because you still push her away, especially when she’s trying so hard to be better. We should all support her. Isn’t that what you said the village does for those who are starting over, until they’re able to get back on their own two feet, like with the Dilber’s?”

Of course it would require seeing the whole situation through the eyes of an innocent child to reach a full understanding. Robert swallowed and racked his brain, trying to find a hole in her reasoning. His heart raced, pumping the hope of pure possibility through his veins, no matter how much he tried to deny it or ignore it.

He had been begrudging of letting Caroline back in his life, if for no other reason than utter fear, being terrified of being hurt again. But he knew she was making a valiant effort. The light that had returned to Caroline’s eyes could not be denied, even with his stalwart defenses.

“Very well.” Robert gave his daughter a squeeze around the shoulder. “I will go talk to Mrs. Marley.”

“Today?” Martha asked, eyes bright with hope.

He chuckled. “Yes, if you wish. She wanted to know of your recovery, so I will tell her the good news first. But I will not have your hopes up again. There is no guarantee she would ever agree to marry me, so any talk of a new mother will need to stop completely until I say otherwise. Understood?”

Martha nodded eagerly, squeezing him in return.

But now that he had committed to the conversation, Robert was filled with dread. He would have to go back to Longford Manor and find a way to explain. Would she even see him?

Later that afternoon, after Robert had rested and taken some time to clean up, he walked the mile in the cold. The world was now completely still and covered in snow, all soft and sparkly. It was much easier to admire the beauty than it was before, when his whole life seemed to be in shambles. He didn’t know what he would say to Caroline yet, but he hoped he could find the right words. No matter the outcome.

He knocked on the door of Longford Estate and held his breath.

Mrs. Park opened it, greeting him warmly and letting him in.

“Oh, Mr. Cratchit, do come in from the cold. How is your girl doing?”

“Please do not worry yourself. Martha has recovered, and all is well. The fever is gone.”

She sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest in relief. “Oh, thank heaven. I will write to my mistress immediately, for she was so worried on the girl’s behalf.”

Robert blinked. Write to her? “Is Mrs. Marley not at home?”

Mrs. Park shook her head. “No, sir, she’s returned to London. She left that very night, said she had some urgent business to see to, but she advised that I let her know the moment there was news.”

His heart sank. He was too late. He had acted too rashly, sending her away and keeping her at bay, and now she was gone. London was much too far beyond his reach. There would be no calling her back now. But this wouldn’t only break his heart; it would break Martha’s as well.

“Is there any other piece of information you’d like me to give her?”

Robert frowned, shaking his head. “No, nothing else.”