The Apothecary's Daughter

Chapter 3

(Pictured above: Emmeline's gown)

Before she left for the Wilbourn Estate, Emmeline gave her father his luncheon, enjoying the time they had together.            

"Now Papa, I will not hear any bad reports from Hollbrook. She is doing us a huge favor by looking after you."

"She won't have anything negative to say. I promise you, I will be the best patient there ever was. Don't you worry about me. Go meet a handsome stranger and allow him to whisk you about the dance floor."

"Oh Papa you're beginning to sound like Susanna. I shall have a perfectly adequate time and return home to you Saturday morning."

"I look forward to the stories you will tell me. Now go have fun, my child."  Emmeline hugs Gideon tightly before taking her leave.  Emeline placed her things in the curricle and began the journey the Wilbourn Estate.

~

Daniel looked at his daughter who finally settled down to sleep. Matilda hadn't left his side since arriving at Mooreland Park. The pair had arrived about a week prior and his poor daughter was a wreck. He took her from the only home she had ever known and brought her to a place she had only heard about in stories. It was quite a daunting manor compared to the townhome she had grown up in. Her mother never cared much for the country and thought it best their daughter was exposed to the great culture of London. It was one promise he tried to keep for his Cecelia.

He looked down at the paper he was reading once more and tried to focus on getting the estate in order before the ball the next night. It would be nice to get away from the posh circles of town, of this Daniel was certain. Matilda needed space to just simply be a child. Soon enough London would be calling her back for her coming out, and Daniel refused to think about that. Matilda, he was certain, would be a heartbreaker. But for now she was his sweet little girl, asleep on the couch in his study. Daniel took a cursory glance around the room. He didn't even have real discernable memories in this place. His father preferred town so they were rarely here. That would change, Daniel knew. Already he felt more at ease here. There was a certain level of calm that overtook him as soon as he passed through the small hamlet of Abbotshire. The town was quite simple, but it was enough for him. He wouldn't admit this to anyone but he was rather excited about the ball, getting to meet the people he hoped would one day become his peers.

Daniel finished his work for the day and gently lifted Matilda from the sofa and carried her to her new chamber. It was technically the room designed for his wife, but he didn't want Matilda to feel separated from him during the transition. He also hoped that when he eventually married again that he and his new wife wouldn't need the separate chamber. It wasn't that he and Cecelia were mortal enemies. The epitome of a well-bred woman: his late wife was the soft-spoken, simple wife one man could always have hoped for. She just wasn't right for him. He didn't know who was but he was ready to find her.

~

Emmeline arrived at the Wilbourn's estate right before dusk.  From what Lydia had told her, she wasn't the only person staying there, and because she was local Lady Margaret placed her in one of the empty servant's rooms. Lydia was quick to come and visit when she realized her friend had arrived.

"Oh Emmeline I hope you're not upset about this." Lydia says, taking a seat on the bed as Emmeline unpacks her things. "Mama figured since you're from the area you would understand why we can't have gentry sharing rooms. I offered for you to stay with me but she said that it wouldn't look well on the family."

"It's fine Lydia. I am here at your mother's monetary offers. Until the ball tomorrow night I am merely part of the hired help."

"But you're not! You are a dear friend to the family who just happens to know a great deal about medicine. I swear Mama just doesn't want people to know how much she fears sickness."