Mary Nichols - Honourable Doctor, Improper Arrangement

‘He is well, but I think he misses his mother, for all that she was glad enough to hand him over to me. He would perhaps be happier in a foster home, but we are very short of those because, as you heard, we are very particular about those we employ.’

‘I am glad to hear that,’ Kate said.

The room was emptying; her ladyship and the other trustees had gone. They bade each other goodnight and went their separate ways.

‘Kate, I do not see how you can become involved,’ her father said as they settled in the family carriage to be driven home. ‘The Viscount will be back in England shortly…’

‘So? If he comes before the ball at Lady Eleanor’s, he can come too. His presence can do nothing but good.’

‘Kate, beware you are not assuming too much. You cannot dictate to Viscount Cranford what he should do.’

‘I would not dream of dictating, but I do not see why he should not listen to my views and support me in something I feel strongly about.’

‘It will not help, you know,’ he said quietly. ‘Regulating foster homes will not undo the past.’

‘No, but it might stop other families grieving as we did.’

‘You blame me, don’t you?’ It was the first time he had ever talked to her about it. ‘You think I did not make sure the wet nurse was clean and healthy. If I had had my wits about me at the time, I would have, then…’ He paused, swallowed and went on, ‘George might have lived.’

‘Papa, stop it. Stop torturing yourself. No one was to blame. I wish now I had not asked you to accompany me tonight. It has been too much for you.’

‘No, it has made me see that something must be done and I shall support Dr Redfern wholeheartedly. I think I will write a tract about it.’

‘Yes, you do that,’ she said, reaching out to cover his hand with her own. He could write tracts or whatever made him feel better; she would offer to help at the Home.

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