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continue when Eric broke in.
    “I have your sister-in-law to once again thank for Toby’s safety. If you need anything at all, please contact me. I wish I could stay and help you more but I must return home and have Toby examined.”
    “Of course.” Elise nodded, her expression filled with understanding.
    “Ah, Dad, I'm fine. I told you Miss Carter kept me safe. I want to go with them and make sure she’s okay.” Toby stared up to his dad with a determined look.
    “Toby, Miss Carter needs to rest and so do you.” Eric took the boy’s hand.
    “Can we go visit her soon?” Toby pleaded with his dad.
    Eric stopped and turned to his son. “If Miss Carter is amenable to it…”
    “I would be delighted.” Lily gave Toby a gentle pat on the head and Eric kissed her hand in farewell and then father and son departed.
    The Carter family followed suit.
     

CHAPTER 4
    THE DOCTOR HAD TOLD LILY she had bruised some ribs and was going to be very sore the next day, but when she woke up she felt like she would never move again. Elise came in, followed by May.
    “Should we bring breakfast up for you?” Elise asked, sympathy filling her voice.
    “That would be lovely,” Lily nodded in relief. She hadn’t felt like eating the night before and was absolutely famished. She was not quite sure how she was going to get the spoon to her mouth but at this point she did not care.
    “Wonderful. After breakfast, we are going to get you up and dressed for a short visit with Isabelle.” Elise plumped the pillows on a chair while she talked.
    “Elise, you can’t be serious. I cannot move from this bed. I can barely lift a finger.”
    “It is important not to allow yourself to stiffen up any further, and, besides, it will help you receive more invitations if you socialize with the ladies first.” Elise did not look at Lily as she spoke. The older woman knew what a chore socializing with Isabelle was.
    Within the hour May had her out of bed and ready to go and, Elise had been right, she felt better as she slowly moved. Her ribs were still extremely sore but they would heal.
     “I thought I would help you downstairs,” Elise said. Lily accepted Elise’s arm gratefully and the two made their way down the steps.
    “I wanted to tell you that your cousin Amelia and Aunt Clarissa are arriving in a few days with Tom. We are going to have a full house before you know it.”
    “How wonderful!” Lily could not wait for her cousin to arrive. Her Aunt Clarissa and her mother had been sisters and looked very much alike. As a result, she and Amelia shared an amazing number of features, most notably their eyes. While their coloring was completely different, Amelia had her father’s dark hair with a golden complexion. Both women had an exotic quality to the shape of their vibrant blue eyes. The difference was, Amelia was far more adept at flirting with men. It had been something Lily had never been particularly interested in but now she wondered if her cousin couldn’t give her some pointers.
    As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Mark came out of the sitting room and took Lily’s arm from Elise.
    “You look lovely today,” Mark softly remarked as his eyes travelled up and down her body.
    “Thank you.” Lily curtseyed as she reached the bottom of the stair. “What brings you here today?”
     “Well, I am pitching your brother on my many good qualities as a potential employee.” A small frown creased his brow.
    Lily gave his hand a small squeeze. “I am sure you will do wonderfully.”
    Mark gave a short nod. “As always, Lily, it is a pleasure to speak with you.”
    Lily glanced over to see Elise with one eyebrow raised. “Lily, your carriage is ready.”
    With a sigh, Lily headed out the door.
     
    Isabelle’s afternoon tea was more awful than Lily even imagined. Isabelle’s friends were as insufferable as the hostess herself. They gossiped tirelessly, picked at everyone, and prattled endlessly about their own good looks