Chapter Sixteen“Mr Moffat.” Mr Carmichael gave a bow, much to Father's surprise. Sims had replied to the knock at the door for him just as Father walked across the hall.
“Yes, Carmichael.” Father dismissed Sims and stood with a small pile of documents in his hand. “Why the formality?”
“I have something to ask that you may not wish to hear,” Mr Carmichael said.
Standing in the drawing-room with the door ajar, I watched the meeting, with Mother breathing heavily at my shoulder.
“What is that, pray?” I heard the caution in Father's voice.
When Mr Carmichael said, “It concerns your daughter,” Mother squeezed my arm painfully.
“It's about you,” Mother whispered as if deafness had suddenly stricken me.
“What about Robyn?” There was caution in Father's voice.
“I pray your permission to ta
