"Follow me." Hannah led the way out into the garden and pointed to where Montgomery could see Emelia's toes and the hem of her skirt poking out from where she was sitting behind a tree. "She is there."
"Did she have a fever?" Montgomery moved forward with a twinge of apprehension.
"She is afflicted with sadness, Dr. Shaw," Hannah said softly, "a sickness I think you know well. It is the very same thing that afflicts you, and anyone else with a broken heart and love unfulfilled."
He froze. "Are you playing a game with me?"
"I'm not. I think it's time that all the games are over. Go to her and tell her how you really feel Montgomery." Hannah tossed her head to the side. "And don't look at me as though I were only a child who knows nothing of these matters. I know my sister, and I know that she needs to speak with you and you alone in this moment."
***
At first Emelia thought Hannah had returned, but when she looked up from her perch beneath the tree she saw that it was Montgomery, not Hannah, who stood over her. She jumped to her feet, blushing furiously, keenly aware of the tears gathered on her cheeks and what she guessed where eyes red with crying.
"Dr. Shaw."
"I didn't mean to startle you."
They were alone in the garden. If Hannah had once been there, she was no longer. Emelia took a step back, feeling the sharp bark of the tree behind her back. "I'm sorry that you have had to find me so indisposed." She was angry, too. Angry that, after all that he had taken from her, he had also managed to take these last shreds of dignity from about her shoulders.
"It is I who should apologise." He was looking at her strangely, something deep and flickering in his dark eyes. "Emelia, you look differently than you used to."
She had raised her hand to shield her tearful eyes, but this unexpected comment made her drop them again in disbelief. After everything that had passed between them, he was starting a conversation about her appearance? She couldn't even think of anything to say. She just stood there, staring at him in silence.
"I mean," he faltered, stumbling over his words, "that you used to be all clothed in silks and caring about dances and giggling at the idea of a prince coming one day to sweep you off your feet." He looked searchingly at her. "At least, that's what I used to think of you. I realise now that I didn't see you at all."
She felt the rise of insult in her immediately extinguished by the caring, knowing look in Montgomery's eyes. He took a step forward.
"It's like, now I can see you in my world. Before you would have been bruised and battered by everything that is the calling of a doctor, but I think now that you could sustain the lifestyle—perhaps even better than I myself could."
What was he saying? Emelia felt her world spinning around. She put a steadying hand against the tree trunk. Montgomery was very near her indeed now. He reached out and tipped her chin upwards with his hand.
"Why are you so sad, Emelia?" he asked quietly; tenderly. Tenderly. She hardly dared to believe the hope that was building within her at the realisation of that tone in his voice.
"You're sad too," she answered him. "Why don't we speak about that?"
"I asked first."
Emelia took a deep, shaky breath. She was going to do it—she was going to tell him everything here and now.
"I'm sad because the one I love doesn't seem to feel the same way as I do." She saw Montgomery drop his gaze, but she held hers until he raised his eyes to hers again. "Montgomery, why do you have to leave?"
He shifted in front of her, not answering.
"Because," she said, rushing on, her words tumbling over each other as if to see who could get to the truth first, "I don't know that you should. I know the country has bad memories for you; I'm truly sorry about your father's death and the darkness that clings to the halls of your home because of it, but I don't think you have to repent any longer for something you couldn't have possibly prevented. Your mother clearly doesn't blame you; nor does Brody. You could stay here and build a life—"
"I've been thinking about that." His eyes were on hers again, holding tight to her gaze; pulling her in. "I was all packed to leave this morning; in fact, the carriage waits back at our house as I speak."
Emelia felt her heart fall, but Montgomery wasn't done. He pressed on. "You're right, about my father, I mean. I've been thinking that for some time—ever since that day it rained and we took cover in the folly. You have me such solid and wholesome things to think about. I will always be eternally grateful for your wisdom." He cleared his throat; shifted from one foot to the other. "I'm beginning to have second thoughts about leaving for London."
Emelia wanted to reach out and pinch herself. After all the confusion of the past few months, the hope was growing firmly within her again, and try as she might to protect herself, she couldn't shake it.
"You might stay?" she asked, hearing the disbelief in her own voice. "Why?"
He laughed quite suddenly, his eyes sparkling. "I truly believe you missed your calling, my dear. You ought to be a scientist, always asking why instead of reacting blindly to new news."
She just stared at him. "Why, Montgomery?"
"Because I have fallen in love," he whispered, sobering at once and putting his hand on her chin again. "And I've always been a hopeless lad when it comes to matters of the heart. I wish I had more experience, so I could tell the lady how I feel about her, but I don’t have the social skills or the panache that my brother seems to have with all people."
Emelia loved the feeling of his hand lingering there against her face. Hope swelling within her, she laid her palm over his. "I think in matters like this courage is more worthwhile than the best linguistic prowess. You shouldn't worry about the terms a moment longer. Tell the lady how you feel."
"I feel," he said gently, "like a man who thought his life was over, and has finally been thrown a raft upon which to float to shore. I feel like the world is at my feet and my life has begun anew. I feel—" he paused and leaned forward, his lips very close to hers, "—like I love you, Emelia Wells."
She stayed there, face upturned, only a few inches from his lips, and smiled slowly. "Then why, Montgomery Shaw, did you not say something earlier? You could have saved me many days of mourning; many weeks of confusion, and a very heartbroken barefoot moment on the bridge over the river."
"I thought you loved Brody."
"How very unoriginal of you," she said, laughing; tilting her face up further. She felt as though all the air in the world was beneath her wings and she was soaring, soaring, soaring from Hannah's special look out spot up above the fields and estates between their two houses. "All the county thinks I love Brody, and it's a silly misconception indeed since I have been for two entire months wholly devoted to his older brother."
Montgomery leaned down then and kissed Emelia, his lips warm and soft atop hers. When he pulled away his eyebrows were already raised and she could see a question on his lips. Before he spoke, she anticipated him and raised a finger to block his speech.
"And don't you dare mention a silly, childish marriage contract, my own one, for now that we are destined to be together I won't have the immaturities of the past haunting our path."
He shut his lips quickly, a sparkle of mirth in his dark eyes. "You read my mind."
"For the first and only time, perhaps," Emelia said. "Now, to avoid any further confusions or romantic mix-ups, perhaps it would be advisable for you to state once and for all what your intentions are for us going forward."
"That's easy enough," he said, brushing a lock of hair out of her eyes. "My intention is to love you forever and always, Emelia Wells."
Epilogue
"You look more beautiful than the bride."
"That's not proper to say at a wedding," Emelia said, responding to Montgomery. "And besides, you're dreadfully biased."
They were leaning up against a pillar along the edge of the village square, observing the festivities with delight. Just as Hannah had predicted, Brody was not one
to get married on the cheap.
The square had been transformed with white banners and streamers looping from business to business, a dance floor laid out atop the grassy green, and multiple white tents strung with lanterns and streamers under which enormous tables had been set up, laden with food.
When Emelia had offered to help with the arrangements, Brody had winced and, as politely as he could manage, turned her down.
"He thought I'd mess this up if I helped," Emelia confided in Montgomery now. "You know the reputation I have in the county."
"You probably would have," he joked in response, then, sobering somewhat, he nodded at the servant girl, Lily, was moving about between the guests, laughing and serving as though she'd never been injured. "But what does it matter? You were never meant to live a life centered around finery and parties, Emelia. You have a gift. Why did you never tell me about your bit of doctoring on Lily's hand? The doctor at the clinic showed it to me a few weeks back. The stiches came out without any harm done, and though perhaps you could have done better with a bit of training, I must say there will be barely a scar and there certainly wasn't even a sign of infection."
Emelia blushed, warming in the glow of his praise. "You're being very kind."
"I'm not being kind." He turned so that his back was to one column and he was facing her. In the distance, Emelia could see Hannah dancing in Brody's arms, blissful and happy in a fine white wedding dress trimmed with ribbons and pearls. Montgomery reached forward and took her hands, dragging her attention back to him. "I'm speaking about this all because I want to get back into the world of medicine, and I want you to come with me."
Emelia frowned. He had been in the world of medicine as of late, helping occasionally at the clinic and paying house calls. What did he mean by getting "back" into the world? Then it hit her: London. She nodded.
"I wondered if you might want to go back to London," she said softly. "And I want you to know that I'm very willing. This life in the country means nothing to me if you aren't here, and I've been reading medical books and studying, as you well know. I would be happy to assist you."
"No, you're not quite understanding me." Montgomery smiled sheepishly. "But of course you're not. I'm getting ahead of myself. Would you walk with me?"
She looped her arm into his and they strolled together around the edge of the magical party that Hannah and Brody had put together. The sun was shining down on all the guests, the air was full of laughter and the scent of sweet baked things, and the bride and groom seemed unable to take their eyes off of one another.
When they reached the far side of the party, Montgomery turned to the side and led Emelia away from the town square and down the road towards the little bridge that led into town. It was a covered bridge—not the one where Brody had orchestrated a meeting all those months ago, but a smaller one with vines along the outer edge.
"Alright," Emelia said expectantly. "Are you more comfortable talking about London now that we're away from the crowd?"
"I don't want to talk about London at all." Montgomery took her hand and pulled her beneath one of the more beautiful vines; then, quite suddenly, fell down upon one knee.
Emelia pulled back in surprise. "Montgomery!"
"Emelia, I don't want to talk about the future anymore, request anything else of you, or share my extensive plans and dreams, until I have assured you in every way possible that my heart is yours and I wish it to be yours forever. I want you to marry me, Emelia. Please, agree to this and we can have some simple ceremony without the whole town square sparkling and I will be the happiest man alive."
Emelia sucked in her breath quickly, but she didn't have to think. It was as though her heart had been waiting to answer this question since the first moment she'd seen him return to visit his family.
"Yes!" she leaned down close to him and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Of course I will marry you, Dr. Shaw."
"Emelia," he said, standing and taking her in his arms, "you must understand that it was your patience and understanding and kindness that gave me back my heart and my home. I want to marry you, and no longer want to be away from those things you've given back to me."
She blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I don't want to leave this little county. I don't want to leave your family and my brother. I'm acquainted now with the memories and ghosts that used to haunt me. They're old friends now. I don't want to be with anyone else, anywhere else. I don't want to go to London."
Emelia stepped forward, wrapping her hand around Montgomery's. "You don't mean that, Montgomery. You just told me that you wanted to get back into medicine in a real and tangible way. You should go back to London where your clients and your colleagues will surely welcome you back with open arms."
"It is not my colleagues that I want in my arms," he said wryly with that edge of humor she'd begun to see regularly in his eyes. "Only you."
"But your dreams…" Emelia pursed her lips together. "No. I won't be the thing that keeps you from measuring up to your full potential in this area or another. I want you to feel free to go to London."
Montgomery's smile was slow; unhurried. He didn't respond to her at first, just held her gently and looked into her eyes. When he did speak, his words were slow and tender. "I love you so much for saying it, Emelia. I really do. You don't have to support me in this, but you always have. Now, stop your protesting and listen to my plan."
The two sat down on one of the thin wooden benches attached to the rail of the bridge, sitting side by side with Emelia's hand entwined in Montgomery's. He ran his thumb along her fingers.
"I have quite an inheritance from my father, as you well know, and I have my own pension from years of service in London. I wish to invest it in a place that truly honors my father's legacy, and it was you that first gave me the idea of where I should put the money."
"Where?" Emelia frowned. Then, "And why me?"
"Do you remember that day you found me experimenting at the creek and searching for dragonflies?"
She nodded, knowing she would never forget that day, or any other day in his company. The moments were so sweet, strung together like priceless pearls on a necklace. "I do."
"You had so many questions that day, and I was only too delighted to give you the answers. Before you look at me with that knowing expression, little lass, let me assure you it was not just because of your pretty face and quick mind that I wanted to teach—it was because the subject matter fascinated me and I was thrilled by the opportunity to pass on to someone else a little of the magical world that I had learned during my time as a doctor and studying the sciences."
Emelia smiled to see him speaking so passionately about the things that he loved. "Go on."
"Then you came to the clinic and helped with that little boy, and I saw in you the strength and fortitude that could make a really strong addition to a country clinic. Then Aggie…do you remember the night we spent caring for Aggie?"
"I do. You fell asleep once, much as you dislike to remember it," Emelia teased.
"I'll have you remember that I was languishing under a deadly illness myself at the time," he rejoined good-naturedly. "But yes, with Aggie you were a quick study and you gained valuable practical experience. Then a few weeks ago I saw Lily's hand—and it hit me. I want to work for the rest of my life in a community just like this, helping people who need my help, but I also want to invest my inheritance and earnings in a medical school: a college of medicine here in our hometown where I can train sharp and quick minds like yours to study the science and learn how to help people. Medicine is my passion, but passing that passion on is the kind of thing my father, in all his wisdom and kindness, would have done." He smiled at Emelia.
A Lady's Perfect Match: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 27
