Page 3 of The Widow of Falbrooke Court (Ladies of Devon 3)

“Mrs. Halpert?” Andrew leaned back in his seat, his eyebrows drawing together. “She was a quiet thing, but very polite.”

Charles cleared his throat. There was no way he could explain this without growing uncomfortable. But Andrew was a doctor, and while it was awkward for Charles, his friend was unlikely to bat an eye. “Mrs. Halpert is with child.”

“Good heavens. And her husband died six months ago?”

“Yes, just about. So you can imagine that she is nearing her time. It is certainly a blessing but also a concern. My housekeeper discovered that Mrs. Halpert has struggled with losing her babies in the past, and the very idea of losing this child has caused her an undue amount of stress.”

“I can well imagine,” Andrew said, rubbing his jaw. “And I can come see her right away, Charles. You know you need only have sent a note. But…why have I heard nothing of this before now? I have not seen the woman since attending to her husband. Not even at church.”

“Yes, well, there is more.” He tried to hold his friend’s gaze, to infuse within it the fact that Charles had needed to come to Falbrooke for this errand, that he did not only do so as an excuse to see Amelia. He’d told Andrew recently that he was no longer in love with his sister, but he could see how that was difficult to believe and he didn’t want his friend thinking that this favor was naught but a ploy. “I need your advice. Mrs. Halpert is very ill. She has been for the majority of her pregnancy. And while one of her neighbors has been assisting her the last few months, that neighbor can no longer do so thanks to the demands of her children.”

He paused and Andrew nodded, intent. “That is understandable.”

Charles lifted his shoulders in the barest of shrugs. “I want to help Mrs. Halpert in the best way I am able. With her neighbor unable to assist any longer, Mrs. Halpert is completely alone. Her husband is gone, and the only remaining piece of him she has is a chance of this child making it into the world—a feat when history has proven that a difficult thing for her to accomplish. I do not know anything about the nature of these things, but I would like your guidance so I can help this woman.”

“That is admirable, Charles. Do you…” Andrew sat up in his chair, straightening his sleeve. “Do you feel for this woman in a way—”

“Gads, man. Of course not.” Charles leaned back, slightly repulsed. Mrs. Halpert was a lovely woman, but Charles had no room in his heart for anyone at present. Not until he figured out how to remove Amelia from it. “I’m helping the displaced sailors in lieu of my uncle now that he’s returned to sea, and I got to know her husband well in the process of farming my land together. My charity goes no farther than that. I am simply a man with a willingness to help but no clear idea how I might do so. I was hoping you could guide me.”

Andrew gave one concise nod. “I will do whatever I can to help. And I think I know just the thing.”

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