“I’d be honored to join you.”
“Let’s keep your discovery to ourselves for now. It’s better that way until we can present it to the scientific community when the paper is finished,” Mr. Hale said.
Laurence turned to Miss Hale. He held his hand out to shake hers then realized she hadn’t put her gloves on yet. Instead of doing so, she took hold of his with her bare one and shook.
Shocked more at the heat emanating from her skin than her daring to touch his hand with her bare one, he recoiled a bit.
The look on her face at his action stabbed his heart. He’d had no intention of hurting her, but here he was yet again, making a social blunder. His mother was right. He needed to stay out of proper society.
Of course, if she’d had her way, he’d be a bishop which would certainly entail needing some social skills. He would never measure up to his mother and didn’t know why he tried.
Not knowing how to apologize to Miss Hale without acknowledging the involuntary action, he stood with her hand in his for a moment too long.
“Come along, Hester. We’ll be late,” Mr. Hale said.
Laurence released her hand. The moment to make things right passed and he watched her go.
Before they got to the door, Laurence thought of something. “Wait.”
Both of the Hales turned to face him.
“What is it?” Mr. Hale asked.
“I don’t want to be impertinent, but Miss Hale, have you been hot or running a fever since your lightning strike?”
“We are not going to discuss that event, Mr. Fortescue. Didn’t you hear me earlier?”
“Yes, sir, I did but with all due respect, your daughter could be having some aftereffects from the strike.”
“Stop this nonsense. She’s fine. Maybe she needs a little rest, but other than that, she will be perfectly well in a day or two.”
“But what if she’s not?” Laurence asked.
“Now you are being impertinent.” Mr. Hale took his daughter by the arm. “Come along, Hester. I think Mr. Fortescue needs some time to himself to think about what is and isn’t proper to inquire about regarding the health of an unmarried young woman of his acquaintance.”
When they were at the door, Mr. Hale faced Laurence. “Good day to you, sir.”
With that, they were gone. Laurence stood inside the laboratory beside his drawings and wondered exactly where it had all gone wrong.
Chapter Three
The night was long and hard to get through. Hetty couldn’t seem to get cool enough. She tossed and turned, threw off the coverlet and even opened the window. Burning up from what seemed like the inside out was uncomfortable and frightening. Hetty had never experienced anything like it before.
She almost rang for her maid a few times, but knew that would cause consternation in the household. The doctor would be fetched again and she might even be bled. Never again did she want to be bled. That was a horrific experience.
Finally, she decided the only place she was going to find relief was in the wine cellar.
Pulling on her dressing gown, Hetty crept down the upstairs hallway and the grand staircase.
Sneaking past the library, she heard voices. Who could be up at this time of the night?
Deciding it was too intriguing to pass by in favor of sleeping on the cool floor of the cellar, Hetty stepped over to the door of the library and leaned her ear close.
“…and you really think she could be in danger?” Hetty heard her brother ask someone. She wondered who they could be discussing. Danger? What kind of danger? And who?
“I’m afraid so. I’m not a doctor or an expert in medical issues, but I think there could be some things amiss that need to be monitored.” That voice sounded like Laurence. But what was he doing here this late at night and with John? Who were they talking about?
Hetty leaned more toward their voices, trying to hear. She almost fell, but caught herself in time.
“How can I help? I don’t want to go against my father, but I also don’t want my sister to come to harm.”
Biting back the gasp that came unbidden to her lips, Hetty realized they were speaking of her. What was this about? The lightning strike? Could Laurence be concerned enough about her to want to make sure she was all right? Could that mean he loved her?
“I want to watch her, but I’m sure your father isn’t going to allow it.”
“What good will that do?” John asked.
“I really don’t know, but it would be a good idea to monitor her to make notes about her condition. I believe the fact that her skin is so hot is part of the effects of the strike. She could be someone to help advance medical science.”
“So you want to use my sister as one of your scientific experiments?” John asked in a tone of voice that let Hetty know he was as angry about it as she was. The audacity of the man.
“It could save her life as well.” Laurence at least had the decency to sound apologetic.
“I don’t see how since you say you have no medical experience. There would be no way for you to save her life even if you find something in your so-called monitoring of her condition.” John’s voice sounded closer as if he were moving about the room.
“I could at least call Doctor Waverly if I noted anything amiss.”
“At least?” John choked on the words. “What does that mean? My sister isn’t some kind of animal you can observe and if you see something that doesn’t seem right, call a doctor. I should tell my father what you’ve said and have him escort you off the premises.”
“He’s invited me for dinner tomorrow night and I plan to be here. I merely dropped in tonight to ascertain if you would allow me to try to assist your sister. She’s obviously in some distress as her body temperature is high.”
“I should think you’d be ashamed to come dine at my family’s table when you want to use my sister as some kind of study for your science papers.”
Hearing Laurence mention her body temperature scared Hetty. He was right. It seemed as if her blood was boiling inside her body. Torn between making her presence known and asking him what he thought could be wrong with her and continuing to listen secretly to the conversation, Hetty stood immobile.
“I’m not ashamed and if I might speak frankly, I believe your father’s interest in science would tell him it would be acceptable for me to make notes on your sister’s well-being.”
“When we started this conversation, you were afraid my father would tell you no and you wanted me to sneak Hetty to your rooms. Why change your mind at this moment?” John asked.
“The more we’ve talked, the more I realized your father, being a man of science like I am, would agree that this is important for the scientific community.”
“Not with his daughter, he wouldn’t. You may think you know my father, but when it comes to his family, you don’t have any idea how protective he is of our name and reputation.” John’s voice receded as if he’d moved to the other side of the room.
“I fail to see how this would affect your reputation,” Laurence said.
“That is why you’re a teacher at the university and we’re gentlemen.”
“You have no idea about me or my family and I suggest we return to more civilized conversation than discussing who may or may not come from the better lineage.”
“You only say that because you know you’re inferior.” John’s words sounded closer again, but before Hetty could act to conceal herself, Laurence came striding out of the library, running into her for the second time in one day.
This time, she did fall. Landing on her rear, she let out a screech of pain.
John came out the door almost at a trot and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her. “What are you doing down here and in your nightclothes?”
“I was hot and on the way to the cellar to try to cool off when I heard voices.” She took hold of Laurence’s outstretched hand. He assisted her to her feet.
“I am so sorry I made you fall, Miss Hale. I shou
ld not have been in such haste.” Laurence adjusted his glasses in that way that Hetty thought was charming. Used to think. Now that he wanted her to be a specimen in his science work, she wasn’t as enamored of that little quirk.
“Let me show you out, Mr. Fortescue,” John said as soon as Hetty was on her feet. He turned to her. “You should be upstairs. It’s not seemly for you to be in the presence of two men with the state of your attire.”
Knowing she shouldn’t ask and also utterly aware of her clothing, Hetty couldn’t resist addressing Laurence. “Please tell me what you think is wrong with me. I am so hot I can barely stand to live. My blood is like a pot aboil on the stove. I can feel it moving inside me and I’m afraid I’ll combust. What can I do about it?”
“Never mind talking to Fortescue, Hetty. Go upstairs and I’ll ring for the doctor.”
“I’d like for you to allow me to try to assist you. To find out what effect the lightning had and see if there’s a way we can make you feel better. I’m not sure I have the answers, but I’m willing to try if you could have your brother or father bring you to me so I can do so.”
“Forget it, Fortescue. I understand you have an invitation to dinner here tomorrow, but at this moment, you need to leave. Do not contact Hetty again.” John led Laurence down the hallway toward the front door. Over his shoulder, he called out, “Go to bed, Hetty.”
She didn’t have to obey him. True, he was a man, but he was still only her brother.
Making her way to the wine cellar, she thought about all she’d overheard. She was going to find a way to meet Laurence to see if he could help her. How could she live with this pain in her blood for much longer?
It wasn’t something she relished. Being an experiment. But she realized if she really loved science the way she always said she did, then she needed to be ready to make sacrifices in the name of that love. If that sacrifice happened to be herself, so be it.
And if she were able to get some relief from her overheated body in the process, that would be an added bonus.
She merely had to talk Jane into coming along as her chaperone. What could be easier?
The next day, as Laurence worked on the lecture for his tutorials, his mind kept wandering to Hester Hale and her dilemma. He’d never met anyone who’d been struck by lightning and it intrigued him since electricity was his first love in science. He really wanted a chance to study her.
If he could write a paper on the effects of a strike on someone who had survived such a weather event, he could make a real name for himself. Show his mother that even though he was a third son with little prospects that it had been the right decision for him to go forward with his desires to teach rather than take up a living with the church or have his father buy him an Army commission.
Too bad he couldn’t tell her that he was actually doing some work for the Army. That might go a long way toward getting back in her good graces, but he had to stay silent since she would gossip all over the ton about him and how important his work was to the war effort.
Thinking about his mother reminded him of John Hale’s words from the evening before. About Laurence being a mere teacher at a university. How he wished he could have thrown in his face that he was the son of an earl, but since he was a mere mister, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. They were basically the same. But it did rankle that the younger Hale presumed he was better than Laurence.
A knock on the door jolted him from his thoughts. He glanced at his timepiece. Too early for any of his students to arrive.
Instead of calling out for whomever it was to come in, he rose and opened the door.
Taken aback at the sight of Miss Hale at the door with another young lady, he stepped into the corridor. Suddenly what John Hale said about it being inappropriate for his sister to call at Laurence’s rooms made a lot of sense. He’d been so caught up in the science of the experience that he’d forgotten about the rules and regulations of society. How could he have had such a lapse?
“Good morning, Mr. Fortescue. This is my friend Miss Gresham.” Miss Hale nodded at the door he’d closed practically in their faces. “I had rather thought you would be pleased to see me and invite me in.”
“I’m deeply sorry. It so happens I’ve realized what your brother meant about a young lady being in my chambers. Even though you have a chaperone of sorts with you, I find myself agreeing with Mr. Hale that you shouldn’t be here.”
Her face fell. All excitement he presumed was there over her adventure with her friend disappeared. “Am I to understand you no longer wish to monitor my condition then?”
“Oh my, no. That is my most ardent desire, but I see now I shall have to obtain your father’s permission since we need to pursue the answers in his laboratory with either him or your brother present. After all, we wouldn’t want to cause a scandal and ruin your reputation, would we?” Laurence let out a little laugh. “It would never do if you were forced into a marriage with a man like me, would it?”
Miss Hale looked as if she were going to cry. Laurence had no idea why his words would upset her other than her realization that he was correct. She could certainly not want to be held within the bonds of matrimony with him.
She stood silent for a moment then finally responded, “I believe you’re correct. Perhaps Miss Gresham and I should return to my home and leave you to your work.”
“I’ll speak to your father this evening about what we’ve discussed,” Laurence said to her retreating back.
Turning to look at him, she said, “Which part? The monitoring of my condition or the scandal that would cause you to have to offer marriage to someone you think of as repugnant?”
Her friend gasped at her words. Laurence found himself speechless.
As Miss Hale continued her retreat down the corridor, he didn’t know what to do. Should he apologize? She’d taken his words the wrong way completely, but how could he make her see that?
“Wait,” he finally called out.
The two women kept walking. Laurence dashed down the hall and made his way in front of them. He stopped where they couldn’t pass him. “I didn’t mean I find you in the least bit repugnant, Miss Hale.” He had an inspiration on how to make what he’d said not sound so awful. “Please don’t construe my words in that manner. I was merely pointing out the differences in our statuses as your own brother did last night.” Even though he was actually not being truthful about his own rank, Laurence felt the lie to be necessary in order to assuage the lady’s hurt feelings.
“Then you do me a grievous injury, sir. I don’t share the same beliefs as my brother.” Miss Hale waved her hand in front of her. “Please remove yourself from our path so we may leave before a scandal befalls us.”
“You’re not going to forgive me my blunder, are you?”
In response, Miss Hale stuck her nose in the air.
He turned to her friend. What was her name? Oh, yes, Miss Gresham. “Miss Gresham, I’m happy to make your acquaintance.” Laurence realized he should have said that the minute she was introduced, but it was too late now to make amends for that. It seemed all he did lately was try to atone for some mistake.
When Miss Gresham gave him a small nod and smile which he interpreted as encouragement, he went on, “Could you perhaps assist me in making Miss Hale understand that I meant no harm in my words. I sometimes speak before I think. My own mother despairs of me in that regard. I’m not a cruel man, I’m merely socially inept.”
“I’m sure Miss Hale can speak for herself, Mr. Fortescue. I would never presume to answer for her or try to interfere with her opinion of someone’s actions. You see, she’s quite capable of making judgments herself.”
“Yes, I imagine she is. I was hoping for an ally, but I see I was mistaken in thinking it could be you.” Laurence stepped aside to let the ladies pass.
He walked toward his chambers and didn’t turn around when he heard the main door close behind them.
Chapter Four
That evening, Hetty dressed
in her favorite gown of pale blue. It set off the color of her eyes and she so wanted to look nice for Laurence. True, he’d as much as said being married to her would be a punishment, but she was sure she could still win him over. After all, she was smart and passably pretty. Surely one reluctant schoolteacher could be convinced that she would be a good match for him. With a little effort, that was.
She was still hot and had come to the conclusion that she would have to learn to live with the slightly higher body temperature. She’d been shocked that morning at breakfast when her tea never seemed to cool down. Even after leaving it to sit for so long that John commented on her lack of thirst, when she picked up the cup, the liquid seemed cool initially, but then suddenly became hot and steamy again. At the time, Hetty didn’t think about it being related to her hands being so warm, but when it happened again the next time she was served a beverage, she started to wonder.
Hoping Mr. Fortescue would still appear for dinner even though both John and she had made him angry, she checked in with the butler several times after she and Jane returned to the manor. To be sure he hadn’t sent a note canceling his appearance.
It was imperative he come. Even if he never fell in love with her, she needed to show him what was happening with the liquids she touched. It was frightening, but also fascinating. Could she really make water boil? Well, not really boil, but at least get warm?
Earlier that afternoon, after Jane left, Hetty wandered down to the kitchens. She wanted to try an experiment, but would need the assistance of Cook. Or at least be able to get her to allow Hetty to borrow a cup.
When Hetty stepped into the cook’s domain, the older lady almost dropped the bowl she was using to stir something. The scullery maid let out a gasp then looked down at the table in such concentration, Hetty thought maybe it had suddenly started spelling out secret messages in runes.
Lightning Strikes Twice (The Heart of a Hero Book 4) Page 3
