Foxglove Manor: A Novel, Volume 2 (of 3)

Haldane is poised to leave Foxglove Manor for London, but his loyal servant Baptisto suddenly insists on staying behind, citing an inexplicable vertigo. The master, amused yet puzzled, suspects the request hides deeper motives tied to the widow of the lodge‑keeper, with whom Baptisto has been seen spending time.

Ellen, Haldane’s wife, reacts with equal alarm, fearing the Spaniard’s presence is a living reminder of a dark episode from his past in Spain. She reminds her husband of the whispered rumors of a duel‑turned‑murder, insisting that Baptisto be taken with them or she will not remain at the house.

The conversation turns tense as Haldane tries to reconcile his servant’s stubbornness with Ellen’s dread, hinting at old grudges and unspoken secrets. Their exchange sets the stage for a fraught journey, where loyalty, fear, and past sins begin to surface.