I snorted a laugh. “Please, tell me you’re jesting.”
“Not at all,” she persisted. “You’ve always loved plants. This could be a great opportunity to meet other people who share your interest.”
“The room will be full of people more interested in naming plants than using them.”
Nora didn’t give up. “You should really consider going. Jesus said the poor would always be with us, so you’ll never lack for opportunities to serve. But how often do you get to meet people who share a similar passion?”
My mouth fell open with disbelief. Was this the same Nora Goodwin who had sailed with me to London? Or had someone switched places with her while she was out serving the less fortunate this afternoon? I narrowed my eyes and looked at her even more closely. “I have about as much passion for binomial nomenclature as you do.”
“Just think of the opportunity—”
I held up a hand, cutting her off before she could say anymore. “This afternoon I sat through two hours of some old codger droning on about the migratory patterns of the English swallow. In good conscience, you can’t go off with Margaret Fox again and leave me to suffer alone.”
Nora shuffled her feet in a rare display of indecision. “I...I guess you’re right.” When she looked at me, the shaky smile did little to hide the misery in her eyes. “Margaret’s carriage will arrive at nine tomorrow morning. Can you be ready by then?”
I gave an irritated sigh. Did everyone think me such a sluggard? “Yes, I can be ready. Fully awake and dressed to serve.”
“Very well, I’ll see you in the morning.” She gave me a quick peck on the cheek and turned toward her room.
“Goodnight,” I said, unsure the last time I had seen Nora so on edge. Did she really not want my company? Or was something else bothering her? I watched until she reached her chamber door, then went to my own room. No doubt things would look better in the morning.
Knowing that sleep would prove elusive, I sent Beth for a pot of Valerian tea when she came in to help me undress for bed. Two hours and three steamy cups later, I began to feel the herb’s calming effects. Tucked beneath a down comforter, the darkness further soothed my mind. Nora’s odd behavior had added to my long list of worries, but I refused to dwell on it overly long. Tomorrow would be soon enough. Yawning, I snuggled deeper into the mattress, giving in to the oblivion of sleep.
*
Thump...Thump...Thump...
Footsteps sounded in my dreams, the dull, lumbering thumps out of time with the wild pounding of my heart. I woke with a start and stared at the darkened canopy overhead. My breath had turned shallow while sleeping, and a sticky layer of sweat coated my neck and chest. Still as a statue, I strained my ears for the source of the noise.
Thump...Thump...Thump...
I turned my head toward the wall. Someone was close. Very close. “Who’s there,” I called out.
The steps came to a sudden stop, but no voice answered.
“Beth, is that you?”
Silence.
I folded back the comforter and sat up. The night air caught my sweaty skin, turning it to gooseflesh. Shivering, I lit a candle on the bedside table and darted a glance around the room, ready to scream at the first sign of trouble.
Nothing.
I stared at the wall in surprise. The steps had sounded so near, practically right next to my bed. I couldn’t believe they had come from outside the room, but that was the only explanation. Unless a ghost had been tromping around in a pair of heavy boots, which I knew to be absurd since the house was so newly built. And because ghosts did not exist. At least I didn’t think they did, not that I had proof either way.
A generous moment passed before my heart calmed down enough for sleep. Fluffing my pillow, I glanced around the room once more, then leaned over to blow out the candle...
Thump...Thump...Thump...
The breath stuck in my throat. Keeping my eyes pinned to the source of the noise, I swung my feet over the side of the bed. Quiet as a mouse, I followed the progression along the length of wall that adjoined the hallway. Staring at the thick wooden paneling, realization dawned quickly, followed by a sudden swell of irritation. Why, in the name of everything holy, did someone feel the need to sneak around outside my room, rousing me from a hard earned sleep? Well, there was only one way to discover the culprit. Sharp words perched on my tongue when I threw open the door and peered around the alcove into the hallway.
Darkness stared back.