Chapter Seventeen
The room was dark. Elizabeth had stocked the fire, but she had not done the same with the candles. Lucretia shivered in a ball under the blanket. When the door clicked open she peeked out, relieved to see that it was him and not Elizabeth.
The doctor lit the oil lamps and stoked the fire before coming over to where she lay. “How is my pet?” He drew the blanket back from her face. “Did you like the raspberry treats I sent up with Lizzy?”
Lucretia tried to turn her head away, but the chain was too short. Fresh tears suddenly spilled over her face. “I’m sorry, sir. I couldn’t help it. I tried to wait but I just couldn’t.”
Crouching down beside her, he brushed the wet hair out of her eyes. “What are you talking about?”
She couldn’t look at him, and she couldn’t hide her
