The Apothecary's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page A

you help me downstairs a
moment? “
    “Hmm? Oh, of course.” He rose. “Excuse us a moment.”
    He followed her down to the laboratory-kitchen.
    “I know what you are thinking, Lilly,” he began, speaking in low
tones.
    “Do you? I am thinking this might be a wonderful opportunity
for Charlie.”
    He looked at her askance.
    “Yes, I know,” she continued. “My first instinct was to refuse
them and keep dear Charlie here with us. But that would be selfish,
would it not? Should we not give Charlie every opportunity to learn,
to improve himself? Mr. Marsh did little for him. You and I try, but
in London there might be new schools, new tutors, or methods that
will take decades to reach us here in Bedsley Priors. Please do not
reject their offer for the sake of revenge.”
    He snorted. “Another man might seek revenge for his wife being
cut off from her family simply for marrying him.” His voice began
to rise. “Followed by nearly twenty years of cold silence, only to have
them show up now and ask for one of his most treasured-” He broke off, ran a hand through his thinning reddish-brown hair, and forced
his voice back down to a whisper. “But if I truly thought they would
do Charlie good …”
     
    “Father, I know you will worry, but-“
    He grasped her arms. “Lilly. I do not worry about Charlie. Not in
the way you mean. I do not worry about him leaving us, for he never
shall. Rather, I worry about his hopes being raised and his feelings
crushed.”
    “But-“
    “Lilly. The Elliotts will never adopt him as heir. Not once they
realize “
    “Hallo, Father! ” Charlie bounded through the garden door, dirt on
his sleeves and a smile on his face. “Mrs. M. said I was to hurry home.
I was at Mr. Fowler’s. He has a litter of puppies. Are ‘em very nice?”
    Lilly bit her lip and smiled gently at her brother. “They are very nice.
Now do wash your face and hands and put on a clean shirt. All right?”
    Her father moved to the door. “Then join us in the sitting room.”
    “And Charlie?” Lilly added. “Do your best to remain calm and speak
slowly. Let them see how sweet and polite young Charles Haswell is.”
    Her brother wrinkled up his face. “Who’s he?”
    “Here we are.” Lilly brought in another plate of tarts and currant
scones, though no one had touched the first. “May I pour more tea
for anyone?”
    “None for me.” Aunt Elliott touched a linen cloth to her thin lips.
    Uncle Elliott held out his cup. “Thank you. I know it must be quite
a shock Rosamond’s family showing up after all this time. If it is any
consolation, we both regret having remained distant so long.”
    Father, taking his seat again, nodded. “I will say I was surprised
to receive your letter, especially when I had written to let you know
that Rosamond was … no longer with us.”
    “Yes….” Uncle Elliott looked down at his hands, and his wife
studied her own as well, leaving Lilly to wonder if they knew something
about her mother or had been in contact with her.
    Father cleared his throat. “I believe your intentions toward Charlie are sincere and honorable, but I must tell you, I do not think an arrangement likely.”
     
    “But why?” Aunt Elliott raised her eyes, clearly stunned. “Surely
you realize what you are denying your son?”
    “I deny him nothing. You see, my son is the dearest, sweetestnatured boy you will likely ever meet, but “
    The sitting room door banged open and Charlie strode in, looking
quite presentable in a clean white shirt tucked into his breeches and
a wide smile on his boyish, handsome face. He had even combed his
coppery-blond hair.
    Her father rose. “And this is my son, Charlie. Charlie, say hello
to your aunt and uncle Elliott.”
    Charlie stuck out his hand toward Aunt Elliott. She smiled, but
eyed it skeptically, finally touching it with gloved fingers.
    “Hallo,” Charlie said. “I’ve never had an aunt and uncle before.