When she went down the stairs it was to find Mrs. Beaton waiting for her. Whatever had the woman looking so sour was not mentioned for all the woman did say was, “Lieutenant MacEnroy is here to see you. In the parlor.”
Although she was not exactly sure which room was the parlor, the slight inclination of Mrs. Beaton’s head told her. Abigail strolled into the room and found Matthew seated rather stiffly in a chair. “Hello. Is my wagon someplace safe?” she asked as she went and sat opposite him.
“It is.” He sighed. “The man at the livery was most amused.”
“I am so glad my work pleased him.”
Matthew laughed. “Amused him so weel I was afraid James was going to hit him.”
Abigail smiled. “Tell James I am sorry. Oh, and ask him if he knows a boy named Noah, one of the children here.”
“I believe he does. He has brought a child here. A small boy.”
“Probably the man then.”
“How are the children?”
“Well. They are healthy and clean with a bed to sleep in.” She could tell by the look on his face that she had not sounded too pleased by that and was wondering why. “The women here have very little to do with them. I also got the feeling that I stepped wrong when I tried to. Mrs. Beaton was not pleased. I just do not understand. They are all young and it would seem women would be drawn to them at least occasionally.”
“But they arenae.”
“Not at all. And the children need it. They have all lost everything. Parents, brothers, sisters, homes, and Noah even lost his new puppy. They do not need to be taken in by the women, but some adults tending to them might help ease that loss. Otherwise it seems to them as if they have lost everything and then been tossed into a place where there is no more than a bed and a meal. Adults can manage, but children? No, it is hard for them to understand. Noah stayed awake so that he could thank me for reading a story to them and then softly mentioned that his father always read him to sleep.”
“Damn. What did you say?”
“What can you say to a child? ‘Your da is dead’? I just told him it was a good memory and he should cling to it.”
He smiled and reached over to pat the hands she had clenched in her lap. “A verra good thing to say.”
“It was odd because at the evening meal he came to me as soon as the other women left. He wanted a roll with lots of butter so I gave him one. The other children had left already. Then he told me he was growing and he thought a bit more stew would help him grow, too.” She smiled when Matthew laughed. “I know I erred by feeding the children before the ladies but still wonder what possessed him to wait and then speak to me.”
“It could be as simple as ye feeding them first. Or you might have a look that reminds him faintly of his mother. The same hair or eyes. He probably cannae tell you as it is just a gut feeling. That is often what children act on.”
“I suppose. So, what has brought you here?”
“I just came to see that you had settled in weel.”
“It has only been one day. I have a place to sleep and got some food so I suppose it could be called fine. I just haven’t gotten to know anyone except Julia Hawkins.”
“Ah, Robbie Collins’s lady.”
“That is what she said. I know everyone’s name but not much else. More takes time.”
“I ken. It was just that I got to thinking on the comments made about Mrs. Beaton and wondered. Also took Boyd to the infirmary and the doctor was quite impressed by your work.” He grinned when she blushed. “You may hear from him soon as he said he is always looking for someone with a bit of skill to help him.”
“Well, I would be glad to help, but we’ll see if he can overcome the dislike of women doing something that comes close to doctoring. They might be letting women into the schools to learn about it but working at it is not easy.”
“Nay, I imagine doctors are very protective of their place there.” Matthew stood up. “Just wanted to warn ye in case he does come round.”
“Thank you,” she said as she stood, only to find herself so very close to him her heart skipped. “I will be ready if he calls.”
For a moment, he just stared at her and then he leaned over and kissed her. Abigail was too surprised to do anything but grab hold of his coat to steady herself. It was over quickly and when he leaned back she rapidly let go of his coat. He just smiled, lightly stroked her cheek, and walked out.
Abigail just stared at the door wondering what that had been all about. Was it just a sign of friendship or was he interested in her as a man was often interested in a woman? Since he had just left her there she had no answer. Shaking her head, she decided she would not think about it for it was sure to drive her mad.
She went into the room where the women were. Only a few were left although Abigail thought it a little early to go to bed. She located Julia sitting on a small settee and sat down next to the woman. Julia had a man she called her beau so maybe she could help. Abigail was just not sure she wanted to share the tale of the kiss as it suddenly seemed to be a very private thing.
“So what did Lieutenant MacEnroy want?” Julia asked.
“He just thought I should know that the doctor at the infirmary was impressed with the work I did on Boyd’s wounded arm and might stop by to ask if I wish to help sometime.”
“You know nursing?”
“I suppose you could say I do. My father was a doctor and he was always teaching me things. After looking at the wound the doctor must have decided I could be of some help as an aide.”
“Will you say yes if he comes and asks?”
“Why wouldn’t I if he really thinks I can help?”
Julia looked torn between fascination and horror. “Well, there would be wounded men and all the mess that goes with it and some of the men may be, um, indecent at some time.”
“And I suspect that is the sort of thing that the doctor would be shielding me from. He may not even ask so no need to worry over something that might not happen. But if he thinks I can help some of the wounded soldiers, how can I refuse?”
“I guess you can’t. Oh, I must tell you that you really annoyed Mrs. Beaton by feeding the children first, especially since she could not really say anything about it.”
Julia looked so pleased that Abigail decided she must see it as a good thing. Abigail was not so sure it was but had no inclination to change what she saw as neglect. She just hoped Mrs. Beaton did not find subtle ways to make her pay for what the woman must see as disobedience.
“I hope I have not made things awkward.”
“Why did you decide to do that?”
“Because they were being treated almost as an afterthought, like the dog that needs feeding or the like. They have been deeply frightened and wounded. Little Noah lost his parents, a sister, a brother, and even his puppy. Somehow it just seemed wrong.” She sighed, leaned back, and stared up at the ceiling, which she noticed had some very elaborate plasterwork. “I just thought it wrong, that someone should take some notice of them.”
“Oh, I think they will now.”