“Of course, I’m so sorry.” Scott dropped his hand from her arm. Her scent, lilac and something very sweet and all woman, enveloped him. She looked much better than she had the last time he’d seen her covered in blood.
She eyed him, her gaze narrowing. “Are you here to gloat?”
Scott frowned. “Of course not, Miss Stuart. In fact, I may have a proposition for you.”
Her eyes widened a bit. She seemed to be appraising him. “Doctor?”
“My practice is growing rapidly, and I could use a skilled assistant. Since your practice seems to be shrinking, perhaps I could hire you.”
She cringed. “Sir, my brother has returned to take over, and I’ll be assisting him. We plan to rebuild our father’s practice, you see.”
“Ah, yes, your brother. He’s home to stay, you say?”
“Yes, he’s completed his internship and is now a licensed physician.” She wrinkled her pert nose. “So, as you can see, I wouldn’t have time to work as your assistant. Nor would I want to even if it was the last position on earth.”
Scott tipped his hat. “I’ll give you the summer, but when the town turns to me, you’ll both have to look elsewhere for employment, I’m afraid.”
“So you say, sir. May the best physician win.” She nodded and turned on her heel.
Scott eyed her posterior as she angled across the street. She headed in the direction of the boardinghouse.
He’d learned Masters had a room at the hotel, so who in the boardinghouse was Miss Stuart going to see?
****
Cassidy adjusted the basket she carried, then yanked on the string of her reticule, pinned to the waistline of her skirt.
Her face flamed at the doctor’s audacity. How dare he threaten to take away her patients? Then offer her a job? She’d die of hunger before she’d work for him!
As she stomped up onto the boardinghouse porch, she cleared her throat and adjusted her hat. What an arrogant ass!
Although the women in town all fawned over him, thinking him an eligible gentleman, Madison was nothing but a fake! His frock coat, cut of the finest cloth, his chestnut hair and thin mustache perfectly groomed and his dark eyes magnetic, almost hypnotic, might have small town women swooning, but daughters of families in Burkeville, he’d likely not touch for fear of repercussions. She hoped Miss Baker would have something she could give George to bring the haughty doctor to his knees and drive him from this town forever.
****
When George emerged from the hotel lobby, he narrowed his gaze as a man and woman faced each other on the opposite side of the street. Cassidy and Madison.
He backed into the doorway, staying out of their line of sight. If Madison as much as touched Cassidy, he’d be over there in a shot. But for now, he’d wait to see what happened.
Cassidy turned on her heel and strode toward the boardinghouse. The doctor watched her but didn’t follow.
George held his breath until Madison turned and walked in the opposite direction. Cassidy was obviously on her way to speak to Miss Baker. He’d best stick around to make sure Madison didn’t interfere.
Chapter Eleven
At the boardinghouse, Cassidy rapped on the door, which opened to the plump, doughy-faced proprietress, Mrs. Peadmont, peering out.
“Good morning, Miss Stuart.” The woman squinted. “What brings you here so early this morning?”
“I wonder if I could speak to Miss Baker. It’s rather urgent.”
The landlady’s wispy brows rose. “She hasn’t left for school yet, I don’t think. I’ll see if she’s in.”
“Please do. And thank you.”
The woman opened the door wide. “You can wait in the parlor. If she’s in, I can have her meet you downstairs or you can go up to her room.”
“I’d prefer to speak to her in private, if that’s all right.”
Mrs. Peadmont scowled, but nodded. “Of course, if that’s what you want.” She waved Cassidy toward the parlor.
“Thank you, ma’am.” She lifted her skirts and stepped into the cozy room. Two men, seated near the windows, halted their conversation and eyed her.
“This is Miss Stuart,” Mrs. Peadmont explained. “She’s here to see one of our guests. Miss Stuart, this is Mr. Engels and Mr. Walters. They’ve been staying with me for the past few weeks.”
“How do you do?” Cassidy said.
“Ma’am.” They spoke in unison, both rising.
“Please, have a seat.” Mr. Engels waved her into the chair he’d vacated.
Cassidy edged her way into the room as the landlady retreated. After taking the proffered seat, she gestured to the men. “Please, sit. Don’t allow me to interrupt your conversation.”
“Of course not, ma’am.” Mr. Walters sat. “My friend and I were discussing business. Nothing a young lady would be interested in, I’m sure.”
Cassidy smiled. “Oh, you’re wrong. What kind of business are you in?”
Mr. Walters leaned forward. “We’re looking to build here in Burkeville.”
“Build here?” Cassidy frowned. “This town is so small; it isn’t even on the map. Who on earth would want to come here?”
“You’d be surprised, ma’am,” Mr. Engels put in, settling into the settee. “People are looking to build homes anywhere, and many want to get out of the big cities.”
“Is that so? Why, I’d love to live in a big city.”
“Have you ever been to the city, ma’am?”
“I’ve been to Washington City during the war. I worked in one of the military hospitals as a nurse.”
Mr. Walters’ heavy brows rose. “Why, you don’t look old enough to have been more than a child during the war.”
“I can assure you I did serve as a nurse in the hospital and battlefield as well.”
“Well, I’ll be...” Mr. Engels smiled. “No wonder you’re not satisfied living here. You want a taste of excitement, I reckon.”
Cassidy nodded. Before she could answer, a woman appeared in the doorway. She looked like she’d just arrived from someplace like New York City, dressed stylishly in a green gown and bustle, with shiny chestnut hair pulled off her face in an elaborate upsweep.
“Pardon me.” She eyed Cassidy and the two men.
“Do come in, Mrs. Claymore.” Mr. Engels extended a hand. “This is Miss Stuart, a resident here in town.”
Mrs. Claymore inclined her head. “How do you do?”
Cassidy inclined her head. “Are you visiting like the two gentlemen here?”
Mrs. Claymore settled on the seat Mr. Engels vacated for her. “Just for a short while. I’ve business in New York City.”
“New York?” Cassidy’s face heated. “Do you know George Masters?” she asked on an impulse.
“Don’t believe I do, Miss Stuart.”
The landlady appeared at the parlor door. “Miss Stuart, Miss Baker will see you now.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Peadmont.” She smiled at the two men. “Gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure conversing with you.” She glanced at Mrs. Claymore. “A pleasure meeting you, too.”
“And you as well, ma’am,” Mr. Walters said as he and Mr. Engels rose.
She followed the landlady to the top of the stairs, where she pointed to the door on the left. “That’s her room.”
“Thank you.” Cassidy nodded and waited until the woman descended to the bottom of the stairs before raising her hand to knock.
Her light rap met silence. She raised her hand to knock again, but the door swung inward. Miss Baker peered out, then motioned Cassidy inside.
“I must apologize, Doctor Stuart.” Her face flushed. “I should have come back to you to see to my arm.”
Cassidy motioned for her to sit on the bed. “It’s quite all right, Miss Baker, considering...” Her throat closed, and she let the statement die.
Miss Baker grimaced. “Everyone was saying such horrible things about you. I’m new here and wasn’t sure what to do.”
Cassidy bit her lip. �
��It’s quite understandable.”
The teacher rolled up the sleeve of her wrapper. “If you’d like to take a look...”
Cassidy peered at the blackened stitches against Miss Baker’s pale skin. “The wound looks fine. In a few days, you can have those stitches removed.”
“Doc Madison told me he’d take them out, but I’d rather you...” The teacher gazed around the room as if searching for something to focus on, ashamed to meet Cassidy’s gaze.
She cleared her throat. “I’d like to talk to you about Doc Madison.”
Miss Baker shrugged, her gaze dropping. “What about him?”
“Well...to put this delicately...did he harm you or do anything improper during the exam?”
The teacher’s face colored. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Did he touch you anywhere he shouldn’t, try to kiss you or say anything improper?”
Miss Baker’s throat worked. Cassidy clenched her hands. The urge to move closer, draw her out, shake sense into her, caused her teeth to grind, and palms to itch, but she held back. She must be careful.
“No...no, Doctor Stuart. All he did was look at my arm and apply an antiseptic. He said an infection was starting.”
“And that was the last time you saw him?”
“No, he came to see me at the schoolhouse.”
“The schoolhouse?” Cassidy leaned forward. “Why?”
“To check on my arm to be sure the antiseptic had worked.” The teacher gulped. “That’s all it was.”
“You’re sure?” Cassidy met her gaze.
Miss Baker glanced away again. “He did nothing else.”
“But you don’t want him treating you anymore?”
“I...I’d feel more comfortable coming to you, Doctor Stuart. I made a great mistake in doubting your abilities.”
Cassidy nodded. “Well, I’ll be happy to remove your stitches and would love to take you on as a patient, but...”
Miss Baker rose from the bed. “I really do have to get ready for school. The children will be there ahead of me otherwise. I’m sure you understand.”
“Of course, Miss Baker.” Cassidy stood and opened the door. “Just be sure to come see me in a week.” She pointed to the teacher’s arm.
“I will.” Her smile wavered as Cassidy stepped into the hall and closed the door behind her.
She leaned against the wall, heaving a heavy sigh.
What am I going to tell George?
****
George blew out a breath of relief when he spotted Cassidy emerge from the hotel. Madison could still be lurking around but for now, wasn’t anywhere in sight. When Cassidy stepped off the bottom porch step, George raced forward grasping her arm.
“Did she tell you anything?” He steered her to the opposite side of the street.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Mrs. Peadmont may be eavesdropping. She seemed real interested in why I’d come.”
“What about Miss Baker?” He pulled Cassidy up alongside the bakery and propped her against the wall.
“She wouldn’t tell me anything.” Cassidy glanced around. “Should we be talking about this here?”
George sighed. “I hoped you’d draw her out...unless he really did just examine her.”
“I don’t know. That’s what she says, but I suspect there’s more.”
George shrugged. “But if she won’t talk, I have nothing to go on.”
Mrs. Armstrong exited the baker’s shop and frowned. Cassidy smiled and nodded. George tipped his hat.
“Ma’am?”
The woman inclined her head and turned away but glanced back once, her dark brows arching.
“I fear we’re drawing too much attention here,” George said. “I’d ask you to meet in my room, but...” He grinned.
“We don’t need to give my neighbors more fodder for gossip. And if it got back to my mother, well, I wouldn’t want to be you.”
“No, ma’am,” George agreed. “Reckon we’ll have to talk at your house.”
Cassidy bit her lip. “Come over in an hour. I don’t have any patients scheduled today. Maybe I’ll urge Ma to spend the rest of the morning shopping.”
George nodded. “I’ll see you then.”
****
An hour later, George strolled down the tidy, tree-lined lane leading to the Stuart home. Memories abounded of his childhood years when he’d all but lived there in an effort to escape his own father and home. He barely remembered his ma. She’d left when he was small. Likely his mother wasn’t able to handle Amos’s imbibing, while trying to raise four robust sons.
In the weeks preceding his wedding, he’d imagined living in a house like the Stuart home, he and Cassie raising a gaggle of happy children. But the townsfolk had looked down on him, and even though Cassidy’s parents seemed accepting, George had the feeling they’d always thought their oldest daughter could have done much better.
Even now, telling the truth about his purpose would raise his esteem in the town’s estimation, as well as with Cassie’s family. He had to wonder if his position as a Pinkerton agent would matter to her.
He glanced up at the well-kept red-brick house with green and white trim, a long wraparound porch and a flower garden on each side of the porch steps. Green leaved oak trees flanked the house on each side. A shingle amidst the flowers, proclaimed, Dr. Stuart, Physician.
George breathed in a long, full breath. This could have been my home, if only...
He climbed the steps. Wide railings along the edge of the structure held colorful flower boxes on each side.
At the door, he hesitated, then rapped a few times.
A moment later, Cassidy opened the door. “Come on in. Ma’s already left.”
“What about Matt?”
She smirked. “He’s at the bank. Won’t be home for a few more hours.”
George removed his hat, then followed her down the entry hall. On the right, a steep stairway with a polished mahogany rail led to an upper floor. Straight ahead, a short, narrow hall with a small table and chair, set along the edge of the stairs, flanked on the left by a closed door. At the end of the hall, an open door led to another room. The dining room.
Cassidy gestured toward the door on the left. “Have a seat in the parlor. It’ll allow us more privacy in case Ma returns early.” She opened the parlor door and waved an arm for him to go inside. “I’ll be with you in a few minutes.”
He watched her tread down the hall, then retreated into the formal parlor. Two chairs and a settee set around an ivory trimmed fireplace, upholstered in a combination of blue and gold. The wool carpet beneath his feet was a red, blue, and black blend. Burgundy drapes covered the windows, but gold tasseled sashes held them open to the sunshine.
As he moved through the room, he studied family photos. One of Cassidy’s father seated in a chair, with her mother’s hand resting on his broad shoulder. Two other photos, Quinn and Josh, both standing tall and proud in their army uniforms. Another photo contained all the Stuart children. Cassidy and Sarah sat while their brothers, Quinn, Josh and Matt, a small boy at the time, stood around the girls.
He lifted the photo of Josh in uniform. The day his best friend had died on the battlefield at Gettysburg flooded back. The last time George had ever cried. Josh had meant everything to him. So much so, he’d followed him into the army. And then lost him forever.
Movement in the hall startled him. He turned, the photo still clutched in his hand. Cassidy stood in the open doorway watching him.
He flushed and cleared his throat, as he placed the photo on the table. “I sure do miss old Josh.”
Cassidy nodded, gazing at the photo. “We all do, but I know how much he meant to you.”
George blew out a breath. “Josh was the one real friend I had in town. Well, so much for old memories.”
He motioned her to take a seat.
She gathered her skirts and settled onto the chair. George sat across on the settee, not wanting to be too close right now. He might not
be able to keep his hands, lips, tongue off her, and if her mother returned, there’d be hell to pay.
“George, I was thinking...” She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, her brow furrowed.
“Thinking what?”
“Well, if Miss Baker won’t tell us anything, there may be another way we can get the goods on Madison.”
“And what might that be?”
She ran her tongue over her lip, enticing him to move close, but he steeled himself to concentrate on what she said. “In town just now as I was on my way to see Miss Baker, Madison offered me a position as his assistant.”
“He what?” George’s bile rose.
“He told me since my practice was practically non-existent, I could work alongside him as I did with Pa.”
George’s blood chilled. “You told him no, I hope.”
“Of course. Why would I want to work for that arrogant ass? But now...” She clasped her hands as if in prayer. “...if I did take the position, I could get close to him. Bait him.”
“Absolutely not!” George rose to his feet. “You are not to go anywhere near him. That’s an order.”
She scowled. “You must know by now how well I follow orders.” She stood and faced him, hands on hips.
“He assaulted a young woman. I will not take the chance that he’d harm you. I won’t.”
“You’re not my father, George. Or my husband.”
Her words stung like a physical blow. “Cassie, I’m sorry, but I worry about you.”
“If you’d worried about me five years ago, we’d be married by now. You were the one who left me here alone.” She folded her arms across her chest and turned away.
“Please, Cassie, I know you’re angry, but if Madison harmed you, I’d never forgive myself. Just promise me you won’t go anywhere near him. Especially if no one else is around.”
She turned back and sighed. “All right. For now I promise, but if you can’t get the information out of Miss Baker, what’s to stop him from hurting her or any other woman in town?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll figure something out that doesn’t involve you working for him.”
Chapter Twelve
By the time Cassidy’s mother returned from town, George had left. Cassidy still bristled over his reaction to her plan. She’d thought it a good way to get to Madison. And she wasn’t frightened of a sniveling coward who preyed on women. She could defend herself quite well. In fact, the intrigue George had involved her in, thrilled her. Living in a small town didn’t afford much in the way of excitement.
Cassidy's War Page 8
