Just as Wilfred had said—both girls were allergic to chocolate. Severely. He'd always been meticulous about keeping anything with cocoa away from them.
But the cake Patrick brought tonight had been loaded with it.
Hildegarde pulled Hilary close.
"Wilfred! Hilary's having a reaction!"
Silence.
Then she remembered. Wilfred was gone. He'd taken Penelope and left.
She had no choice but to call the housekeeper.
"Ma'am, what happened to the little miss?"
The housekeeper's face went pale at the sight of Hilary's swollen skin.
"Allergic reaction," Hildegarde said.
"But how? Mr. Dickerson was always so careful about what they ate. He never let them near anything with cocoa."
"Enough! Do you know where he kept the allergy medication?"
Hildegarde's patience snapped.
"I... I don't know." The housekeeper shook her head helplessly. "Mr. Dickerson always took care of the girls himself. He kept the medicine. I have no idea where it is."