In the meantime . . . “When we’re back in London, I’ll send Lady Kirkland a note to find out when it would be convenient for me to come and see if I can make myself useful.”

“If you work with small children, try to teach them how not to break their bones and dislocate their joints so they need me!” Lucas said fervently.

She laughed. “I’ll do my best.”

Because that was the most one could ever do.

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 28

Kendra and Lucas were relieved to find that there had been no dramatic events during the time they were away from London. Denshire hadn’t appeared again at Thorsay House, for which the Browns were grateful, and Suzanne informed them that plans for the Duchesses’ Ball were going well. Denshire had sent his acceptance immediately and was surely pleased to be invited.

A note to Lady Kirkland brought a return note suggesting the next morning as a good time for Kendra to come to Zion House for a tour and to determine where Kendra would best fit in. Because Lucas was also going there to hold a clinic for patients with bone and joint problems, they traveled over together.

Zion House had a separate entrance from the infirmary, and it also had guards with military experience to keep the peace in case an angry husband came to try to drag his wayward wife home. A brisk older woman led them to Lady Kirkland’s office.

“Oh, good, Kendra!” Lady Kirkland said as she stood up from her desk. “You’re just in time to save me from having to go over the month’s accounts.”

Kendra laughed. “I’m happy to rescue you, Laurel! Do you spend most of your days working here?”

“No, the regular staff is very capable so I’m usually here two or three mornings a week just to keep an eye on things.” The countess grinned. “Shall I start with the general house tour, or shall I take you right upstairs to the children’s school?”

“The children, please!”

Lucas smiled, knowing that would be Kendra’s answer. “I’ll leave you to learning the ways of Zion House while I go to the infirmary for a jolly morning setting bones.”

Laurel chuckled. “You sound very like my brother when he has a day of surgery ahead of him. Enjoy yourself!”

“I will. Kendra, I’ll see you later.” Bonesetting kit in hand, Lucas headed for the infirmary, but before going to the clinic, he decided to visit the apothecary, Mrs. Simmons.

He found her whistling cheerfully as she worked on sorting dried herbs to use in one of her medications. She looked up at his entry and got to her feet, wiping her hands with a towel. “Lord Foxton! Have you come to check up on your drunken raisins? I set the gin and raisins in a warm place so the gin would evaporate quickly and I could test them.”