Chapter 8: The Truth About Caleb

"If the third son cared, he wouldn’t leave her out in the sticks, with no help or anything. Look at her—cheap cotton clothes, no style. Even the janitors dress better."

She lowered her voice, conspiratorial:

"Word is, she ruined her health and can’t have kids. That’s why the old lady let her stay. Otherwise, she’d never let a mistress this close."

Mrs. Lee gasped. "She can’t have children?"

Mrs. Parker nodded. "The third son swore it. No risk to the family line, no messy heirs. And now he’s passed the bar, so the old lady’s feeling generous."

Mrs. Lee laughed, the sound shrill. "Well, Mrs. Parker, you always know what’s going on. A mistress without children? She’s got nothing to her name. Pretty face won’t last. She’ll end up worse off than the staff."

Mrs. Parker beamed at the praise. "Exactly. The third madam insisted on picking her up herself. Shows how much she cares about her position."

Their voices faded as they gossiped about Caleb and Lillian, piecing together a story I barely recognized. Apparently, Caleb and Lillian had been married four years. She’d lost a baby—a boy—midway through pregnancy. Caleb, heartbroken, left the big house for the road, pursuing his studies.