The curate said carefully, “Is it possible that because of your illness, you imagined a daughter?”

Kendra thought of the slight, warm weight of the baby in her arms, then said flatly, “I’m quite sure.”

“Do you remember the name of the midwife who attended you?” Lucas asked. “She would surely remember. You told me that she was kind, and she must have been competent since you and Christopher survived a difficult birth.”

“I don’t remember her name. I’m not sure I ever knew it.” Kendra frowned. “She might not have been from Lower Dauntrey. I have a vague feeling that she was summoned from some distance away. Perhaps another parish.”

Hutton said to his wife, “Your midwife was from Great Dauntrey, wasn’t she? I remember that you were pleased and comforted by how she cared for you and the baby when Elizabeth was born.”

“Mrs. Lowell,” his wife said immediately. “Yes, she had been recommended to me as the best midwife in the county and she was excellent. I can give you her directions if you want to call on her.”

“Thank you,” Lucas said. “Would there be any point in visiting the inn to see if anyone there might remember what happened?”

Hutton said, “I don’t think so. The new landlord brought in family members to serve in the inn after he bought it. I don’t believe any of the previous servants are still there.”

“The name Mrs. Lowell sounds familiar,” Kendra said slowly. “Can you give us her directions? I’d like to call on her this afternoon.”

“I’ll draw you a map,” Mrs. Hutton said. “She’s this side of Great Dauntrey, so not too far.” She perched in the plain wooden chair by the desk and drew a clear, simple map. Handing it to Kendra, she said softly, “I hope you learn what you need to know.”

Throat tight, Kendra nodded her thanks and she and Lucas took their leave. Outside, they conferred with their coachman about their new destination. He remembered the route they had taken from Great Dauntrey and said there would be no problem finding the midwife’s home.

In the carriage, Kendra silently caught Lucas’s hand and drew him down on the seat next to her. Though they’d agreed that they could only be friends, surely friends could innocently hold hands when touch was needed. With wordless understanding, Lucas’s large, warm hand clasped hers.

Feeling her tension ease, Kendra said, “Thank you for taking this journey with me, Lucas.”

He smiled at her. “I’m glad to be of use, and I enjoy your company.”

“I’m not sure why,” she said wryly. “I’ve been a tangle of problems ever since we met again at that ball.”

“I like the way you face your problems,” he said seriously. “I turned away from mine for years. You’re a good example.”