by Merry Farmer
She only finished speaking as she reached the edge of the dais. Linus’s mouth dropped open, but he couldn’t think of a single thing to say that would drive sense into her adorable head. On the one hand, his heart swelled with pride in her boldness and melted with her admiration for him. But on the other, what she had just described as the course of action she intended for him to pursue was nearly identical to all the times his father had pushed him up to one podium or another to appeal to a gullible crowd.
“Natalia, we need to talk,” he told her, speaking far more firmly to her than he ever had. She seemed intent to push forward and jerked back slightly when he held his ground, gripping her hand so she couldn’t get away. “You really should have consulted me about this first.”
“But it’s the perfect solution,” she said, turning back to him with a concerned look.
Several people watching Miss Garrett speak were staring at them now. Miss Garrett herself seemed aware of the interruption right behind her. She glanced to Natalia with one eyebrow raised, as if asking whether she and Linus were ready. Clearly, Miss Garrett was in on whatever plan Natalia had hatched. Linus only wished he’d been in on it as well.
“Sweetheart, I don’t doubt that your intentions are completely pure,” he said, stepping close enough to her that he could speak without anyone else hearing them. “But this is more than a little impulsive.”
She let go of his hand, crossing her arms and staring up at him. “I thought you found my impulsivity refreshing.”
“I do,” he laughed, resting his hands on her arms, tempted to hug her. If not for the crowd—more of which was staring at them—he might have. “You are lively and intelligent and everything I admire in a woman. You speak your own mind, which is a wonderful thing. But I would prefer that you didn’t speak my mind for me.”
“All right, I won’t,” she said, her brow knitting in confusion. “That’s why I brought you here. So you could get up and speak your mind. And once you do, Mama and Lord Malcolm will be so impressed that they’ll give us permission to marry.”
Linus smiled at her, though his smile was lopsided and more than a little wry. Natalia was so innocent as to be naïve. She truly believed that one speech could change everyone’s minds, change the dictates of society that had existed for hundreds of years. That was why he loved her so much. But he had to admit, it frayed his nerves as well.
“As I understand it, Dr. Townsend has come to speak to us today about certain medical advances he is researching,” Miss Garrett said from the dais, turning to Linus and Natalia. “And about how those advancements might be just the thing to fight against the threat that the Conservative Party poses to the rights of women that we are so adamant about fighting for.”
Linus’s brow shot up. That’s what he was supposed to talk about?
The crowd broke into polite applause, and Miss Garrett stepped aside, yielding the podium to Linus. Linus glanced to Natalia. The hope and optimism in her eyes was dazzling. She truly thought that a miracle was about to happen. As loath as he was to stand up in front of people without any preparation at all, he would do it for her sake. Even though it would probably be a disaster of the highest order.
He stepped up, striding to the podium. Once there, he tugged his jacket straight and cleared his throat. He spared one final glance back to Natalia—who held her hands clasped over her heart and beamed at him—before facing the crowd. The stares that met him were curious at best, and in the case of Lord Malcolm, downright hostile. In fact, the only person not staring at him was Mr. Mercer, who seemed to be fixated on Miss Garrett instead.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Linus began, scrambling to think about both what he could say about his medical innovations and what Natalia would want him to say to impress people. “Just as in politics, the world of medicine is advancing by leaps and bounds every day. We have cures for diseases and conditions now that could only be dreamed of a generation ago. Advances in surgery, thanks to new sterilization techniques, and the development of new and stronger medicines has meant that men and women are living longer, healthier lives than ever before.”
Linus paused. His audience was interested in what he was saying, but he had no idea how to make it relevant to Natalia’s cause.
He cleared his throat and went on. “I myself have been working on treatments and devices to help those whose bodies have been severely damaged, causing impairment.”
He gestured across the lawn to where Fergus stood by Henrietta’s side, balanced on the crutches Linus had constructed for him. His wheelchair was a few feet away. It was a definite sign of improvement on Fergus’s part. But instead of smiling or looking grateful, Fergus looked like he might chew Linus’s head off for drawing attention to him. Worse still, Lord Malcolm—who wasn’t far away to begin with—stepped closer to Fergus and started whispering in his ear.
Linus swallowed his sense of dread and went on. “For too long, the ill and injured have been treated as little more than children or animals. This has been especially true of men returning from battle, scarred and broken. My mission in the last few years has been to provide those men with as much mobility and healing as medical science can muster for them. It has been to restore them to their place in society as useful, contributing members. I intend to carry on with this work, not only to change physical capabilities, but to change attitudes towards those who have lost so much of themselves in the service of others.”
Politics. Linus thought fast. He had to bring his improvised speech back to politics.
“And once a man has been restored to himself,” he went on, scrambling for something meaningful to say, “once he has regained his position in society, it is my belief that he will be a more sympathetic, caring person. One who will champion the rights of those who have also been treated as less by society, such as women and those of different races.”
A murmur went through the crowd. It was Linus’s luck that he was speaking to an audience that appreciated those sorts of things. The smattering of applause his words prompted turned into a steady thunder of approval. The curious or blank faces in front of him transformed into smiles. All except Lord Malcolm’s as he continued to whisper to Fergus. And Lady Campbell’s as she crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at her daughter.
Natalia must have been well aware of her mother’s disapproval. She jumped up onto the dais, striding boldly up to Linus’s side at the podium.
“Isn’t that a wonderful thing?” she asked, or rather, demanded, of the crowd. “Isn’t Dr. Townsend a wonderful man that should be praised and accepted into society as an equal and valued member?”
Linus fought not to wince. “Thank you for your endorsement, Lady Natalia,” he said, smiling and trying to make the best of her shocking interruption.
“It is more than just an endorsement,” Natalia told him, then turned to address the crowd. “Dr. Townsend is a wonderful man. I’m not afraid or ashamed to say I love him.” She grabbed his arm, hugging it, and met her mother’s sharp glare. “Any woman would be proud to be courted by a man as noble and ingenious as Dr. Townsend.”
The murmurs coming from the crowd took on an entirely different tone. Natalia was making a fool of herself, whether she knew it or not. Young ladies from good families simply did not stand up in front of a crowd to declare their love for a physician. Then again, perhaps along with trying to improve Linus’s standing, she was deliberately trying to destroy her own. Well, Linus thought with a sigh, that was one way to get what she wanted.
He did his best to take control of the situation once more. “In conclusion,” he said, as though his impromptu speech had never been interrupted, “medicine is the key to a happier, healthier, and more productive future. I would encourage you all to investigate some of the advances that are being made in the treatment of diseases of all sorts and to think about how a healthier population can be a stronger population. If you have any questions, I would be more than happy to answer them.”
He ended his speech there, t
aking Natalia’s arm and leading her to the side and off the dais.
“Well then,” Miss Garrett said, resuming her place at the podium. “That was…interesting.”
“She didn’t give you nearly enough time to speak or to endear yourself to people,” Natalia said with a frown as Linus escorted her to the outer edge of the crowd.
He glanced warily at her. “I’m not sure that was the best course of action we could have taken,” he said.
His words were proven correct only seconds later as Lord Malcolm and Lady Campbell marched up to them.
“What, pray tell, was the meaning of that?” Lord Malcolm demanded, clearly angry, but controlling his voice so as not to draw attention.
“My lord, I do apologize,” Linus said, fully intending to take the blame for the whole, embarrassing scene.
“I just wanted you all to see what a brilliant and admirable man Dr. Townsend is,” Natalia said, tilting her chin up.
Lady Campbell spared Linus a wary look before scowling at her daughter. “Dr. Townsend is admirable indeed,” she said. Linus felt as surprised as Natalia looked, but Lady Campbell’s scowl remained in place. “He is admirable in that he kept things as short as possible and whisked you away from making too big a fool of yourself.”
“I did not make a fool of myself,” Natalia huffed.
“Yes, you did,” Lord Malcolm told her.
“I just want everyone else to see what I see,” she protested.
“What everyone has just seen,” Lady Campbell said, standing tall and shaking her head, “is that we let you out of the nursery long before you were ready.”
“Mama, what a horrid thing to say,” Natalia growled.
“Horrid, but true,” Lord Malcolm agreed. He glanced to Linus. “I am indeed impressed with your work and your circumspection when placed in a precarious position.” He arched one eyebrow at Linus, then turned to Natalia. “But you, my dear, have just proven that you are certainly not yet ready for the responsibility of marriage.”
“What?” Natalia gasped, pressing a hand to her chest as though she were mortally offended. “How can you say such a thing?”
“Because it’s true,” Lady Campbell said. “You need a few more lessons in deportment and discretion before you are ready to take on the duties of a wife and, God forbid, a mother.”
“Mama, that is not fair.”
“Fair or not, it’s true,” Lady Campbell insisted.
“I’m certain that with the proper guidance,” Linus began, “Natalia would settle into married life admirably.” Though he was beginning to see he would have his hands full until she settled in. Not that he didn’t feel up to the challenge. He was certain that the discomfort he felt as they all stood there, discussing the matter in public, was because of the scrutiny that surrounded them and not any doubt on his part.
“Yes,” Natalia agreed, clasping Linus’s arm. “Linus will guide me in all the things I need to know to be a proper wife.”
The conversation was veering toward dangerous territory, so Linus was glad when Fergus and Henrietta made their way over to join them, even though Fergus was in his wheelchair again instead of using his crutches.
“That was an interesting display,” Fergus said with a wry grin.
Linus met his eyes with a look that said he knew Fergus wasn’t talking about the speech. “I’m passionate about my work,” he said.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Fergus nodded. “Because you’re about to have your work cut out for you.”
“Oh?” Linus wondered if his friend and employer was about to make his life harder or easier.
Fergus nodded. “We depart for Ireland tomorrow. I’m going to need you to invent all sorts of ways and means for me to get around my Irish estate and the house there. It was a bloody nuisance going up and down all those stairs when we were there in the spring.” Fergus glanced up at Henrietta with a twinkle in his eye.
Linus wasn’t fooled by the casual way Fergus spoke or the way he flirted with his wife. He heard the deeper message in his friend’s words. Unfortunately, so did Natalia.
“You’re taking Linus away from me?” she gasped, her voice rising an octave. “But you can’t do that. Not now.”
“Parliament is no longer in session,” Fergus explained with a shrug. “The election is over. Everyone and their brother is fleeing London for the country. My duty lies in my homeland at the moment.”
“And my duty lies with you,” Linus said, almost as an afterthought. Though he wondered if Fergus would have consented to let him stay in London to court Natalia under other circumstances.
Natalia seemed to be having the same thoughts he was. She whipped to face Lord Malcolm with a scowl. “This is your doing, I know it.”
Lord Malcolm shrugged. “What would I have to do with a man following his employer to Ireland?”
“You are a horrible person,” Natalia said, bursting into tears.
Linus cleared his throat, his back itching with discomfort. He glanced from Lord Malcolm to Lady Campbell, then on to Fergus and Henrietta. “If you would excuse us for just one moment,” he said in a quiet voice.
Lord Malcolm nodded. Linus rested his hand on the small of Natalia’s back and steered her a few yards away from the others. When he was reasonably certain they could speak without causing a scene, he turned to Natalia, touching her chin and nudging her to glance up at him.
“It isn’t fair,” Natalia said before he could start in on what he needed to say.
“No, it’s not,” he agreed, then cleared his throat. “You remember what I said not half an hour ago about time healing everything.”
“But if you leave for Ireland you might forget about me,” Natalia said in a voice so tiny and so tragic that it squeezed Linus’s heart in his chest.
“I could never forget about you,” he said, resting his hand on the side of her face. “You are my heart and my soul. I could never abandon you now, certainly not after the other night.” He leaned in closer, careful not to be overheard. “I will move heaven and earth to make certain that we are wed as soon as possible. But for the time being, I have to go to Ireland.”
“You don’t,” Natalia insisted.
“But I do.” He smiled, tempted to kiss her forehead at least, in spite of the crowd in Hyde Park. “It will only be for a few months. Parliament is back in session in the autumn. You know as well as I that Lord O’Shea won’t want to miss a moment of it, not when he has so much at stake.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Natalia glanced down, looking as sweet and innocent as ever. And more than a little like the child that Lady Campbell had implied she still was.
“Our love is strong enough to survive a few months apart,” he went on. “And with any luck, a break from all this will soften everyone’s hearts. I’m certain that by Christmas we can change all the minds we need to.”
Natalia glanced glumly up at him. “Christmas is so far away.”
“It’s closer than you think,” Linus said, laughing gently. “Now, let’s continue our walk in peace. We’ll say all the things we need to say before I leave tomorrow. And we’ll part on good terms. What say you to that?”
It was clear from the look she gave him that she didn’t like it at all. More than that, Linus could already see the spark of mischief forming behind her glassy eyes. Once again, Natalia was up to something. He just hoped that everything would settle down before she had a chance to throw him into more hot water.
“I suppose I’ll have to settle for that,” she said.
She twisted so that he could offer her his arm, escorting her back toward the path. The fact that she went so easily with him was all the proof Linus needed that her scheming was far from over. That thought brought a smile to his face. Life with Natalia would never be boring.
Chapter 7
Things moved fast. By the next morning, Linus was packing a bag and helping Fergus gather everything he needed for an extended trip to Ireland.
“This whole thing is not
just a scheme to keep you and Lady Natalia apart,” Fergus informed him as Linus helped him into the carriage that would take them to Paddington Station. “I really am needed in Ireland, and I honestly do need your assistance.”
Linus smiled weakly at the compliment. Fergus was a proud man, and admitting he needed help must have been hard. “I understand,” he said. “And as I keep telling Natalia, nothing needs to be rushed. Especially now that Mr. Mercer’s interests have shifted elsewhere.”
“Yes, I noticed he seemed taken with Miss Garrett,” Fergus said with a smirk. “Which is interesting, considering she’s engaged. Mercer is an odd one.”
Linus hummed, though he didn’t know Mercer well enough to agree or disagree. “Natalia must know that I will still love her in a few months, or a few years, for that matter, and I know she will still love me.”
Fergus shot him a sideways look as he muscled himself into the carriage’s forward-facing seat, showing impressive arm strength. “She’s flighty, that one,” he said with a grin.
“She’s young and enthusiastic about the world,” Linus answered, gesturing for the carriage’s driver to take Fergus’s wheelchair so that it could be fastened to the back of the carriage. “That’s why I enjoy her company so much.”
“I, for one, think it’s a lovely match,” Henrietta said as she marched down the stairs from the house and climbed into the carriage with Fergus. “Though you will have a devil of a time convincing her family of it.”
Linus answered with a wordless sound of agreement. In a paradoxical way, he believed that leaving quietly for Ireland with Fergus and Henrietta might actually increase his chances of convincing Lord Malcolm and Lady Campbell that he was a worthy suitor. But as the carriage rolled through the streets of London, heading to Paddington, a mountain of doubt weighed down on him.
