Sarah and the Doctor (Prairie Tales Book 1)

by Kit Morgan

  “What’s wrong?” Doc asked.

  “I … I wonder if they’re outside? Maybe in the garden?”

  “What?” He looked around, an alarmed look on his face. “Surely Petite wouldn’t take Miss Chambers alone into the garden?”

  She gave him a helpless shrug. “I have no idea.” Oh heavens, she hoped not!

  “This will never do,” he said. “The woman’s first season and Petite disgraces her.”

  “No, don’t think that,” she said, eyes wide. She scanned the throng of guests again. There was no sign of Oswald or Elizabeth anywhere. “Oh dear, we better go find them. Just in case.”

  “You’re quite right. Let’s go.” He offered her his arm and together, they slipped through a set of French doors onto the patio. “I don’t see them, Miss Clemmons, do you?”

  “No, I don’t.” Worry pricked her, and she quickly batted it down. Oswald might be obnoxious, boring and rude at times, but he wasn’t a cad, (that she knew of) and he wasn’t stupid. She hoped.

  Other couples were in the garden, staying close to the lanterns strung along the patio. Torches had been lit and lined several paths leading into the garden. Benches on the border of lantern light were occupied with overheated guests seeking fresh air. Sarah shook her head in dismay. “I’m afraid I still don’t see Oswald or Elizabeth.”

  He glanced at her. “You call him by his Christian name?”

  Her eyes met his. “I’m sorry, I’m not thinking. But I’ve also known Oswald for a long time, but … we’re not close.”

  He stared at her as if trying to decide if she was telling the truth. Yes, she should have referred to Oswald by his surname, but tarnation, this could turn serious if they didn’t find the blasted man and Elizabeth soon. The last thing she wanted to see was Elizabeth’s reputation ruined.

  “Come then,” he said. “Let’s try down this way.” He went straight to an older couple fanning themselves before starting down the nearest path. “Excuse me, we’re looking for Mr. Petite. Have you seen him by chance?”

  The older gentleman screwed up his face in thought. “I do believe I saw him and a young lady head east down that path.” He pointed for good measure and winked at them. His wife teetered a bit, a glass of wine in her hands. It was obvious the two of them had a little too much that evening.

  “Thank you, sir,” Doc said. He glanced around, and, seeing that no one was paying them any mind, led her down the path indicated. “What should we do when we find them?”

  “Other than scold them for an hour?” She bit her lower lip. “Get them back inside before anyone notices they’ve been gone.”

  “Even if he’s dishonored her?” He arched an eyebrow.

  “I … I don’t know, Doc. I’ve never been in this position before. It’s not like we’re their parents.”

  “No, but no matter where a man is from, impropriety is impropriety. Land sakes, I shouldn’t be out here with you like this either.”

  Sarah glanced around. They were on a dark path, somewhere in the Millers’ expansive gardens. Alone. “Oh dear, you’re right. What are we going to do?”

  “Stop talking and find them,” he said. He stopped and turned to her. “Don’t worry, Miss Clemmons. Your virtue is safe with me.” He took her by the hand and once again, hurried down the path.

  Chapter 8

  Sarah felt a trickle of sweat slide down her neck despite the cool evening. She was nervous and rightly so. Traipsing around a huge garden in the dark with Doc Waller was bad enough, but she was also with someone others might know as far below their station. That alone would mark him guilty in their eyes. It wouldn’t matter what for.

  It might be hard to convince people that Doc was doing the honorable thing, and only trying to protect Elizabeth’s reputation. Hopefully, the only thing Oswald was guilty of was a stroll in the cool of the evening. Who knew? But as comforting as that thought was, they pushed further into the garden. Oswald might not lay a hand on Elizabeth, but the gossips’ tongues would wag that he did and then some. It was enough to make Sarah’s blood boil.

  “Is this some sort of maze?” Doc asked as he stopped to scan their surroundings.

  “No, but there’s no rhyme or reason to it either. That would be Mr. Miller. He’s known for not doing things the way other people do,” she stated mildly.

  “He’s a madman,” Doc said and turned to her. “We’re beyond the torchlight now, Miss Clemmons. We’ll have to be careful.”

  She studied the nearby flowerbeds and hedges. “Should we split up?”

  “Great Scott, no! The last thing I want is for someone to catch you alone.” He touched her lightly on the arm. “I shudder to think of the consequences to that.”

  She gulped even as a small thrill of excitement went up her spine. She glanced at her arm and back and tried to still her racing heart. He was right. There were a lot of people here she didn’t know. Who knew how many rakes were among them? She hoped Oswald wasn’t counted as one. Poor Elizabeth.

  “We should walk apart,” he suggested.

  “Me on one side of the path, you on the other?”

  “Yes, that way if someone comes along, we’re not arm in arm. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea because we’re out here in the dark.”

  Not that his suggestion would help. They were alone in the dark too, after all. But it couldn’t hurt. “Quite right. I agree.” She slipped her arm from his and crossed to the other side of the path. They had at least six feet between them. She hoped it was enough. She also hoped they found Oswald and Elizabeth soon. The longer they were gone, the worse things appeared.

  “Should we call out for them?” She ducked underneath a low branch of a tree and looked at him.

  “No,” he said. “If it was daylight, then I’d say yes. But the fact that we’re searching for them in the dark isn’t something you want to draw attention to, Miss Clemmons.”

  “Sarah.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “My name is Sarah,” she said shyly. Good grief, why was she giving him her Christian name? First, she squeezes his arm and now this? What must he think of her? At the moment she wasn’t sure what she thought of her!

  “And you can call me Doc. Though I think for propriety’s sake I’d best call you Miss Clemmons for now. I do thank you for sharing your name with me.”

  She wanted to groan. He was being the perfect gentleman. Oh dear, oh dear.

  “Is something the matter?”

  Great, who knew how he was interpreting her sudden silence. “Nothing, I’m just worried about Elizabeth.”

  He stopped and motioned at her to do the same. “I wouldn’t worry anymore, Miss Clemmons,” he said in a low voice. “Listen…”

  She cocked her head, straining to hear something, anything. She wasn’t disappointed.

  “Mr. Petite, shouldn’t we go back?”

  “And miss the beautiful moonlight?” Oswald’s voice drifted to them from the other side of a hedge.

  Sarah exchanged a quick look with Doc and smiled. He smiled back and cleared his throat. “It’s a lovely evening isn’t it?”

  “Egads!” Oswald yelped in surprise.

  Doc glanced around, crossed to Sarah and gently led her behind a giant rosebush. He held a finger to his lips before he stepped back onto the path. “Why, Mr. Petite, is that you?”

  There was a shuffling from the other side of the hedge and out popped Oswald and Elizabeth. Sarah put her hands over her mouth to keep from making any sound. She knew what Doc was doing. He was protecting her reputation. It was one thing for Oswald and Elizabeth to be out here alone, another for her to be there with Doc. Who knew what rumors Oswald would spread by the end of the evening? He was, she reminded herself, one of the worst gossips around.

  Sarah would lag behind and follow at a distance. Then, when the coast was clear, slip into the mansion a few moments later. No one would be the wiser.

  “Why, it is you, Mr. Petite,” Doc said with a grin. “And Miss Chambers t
oo.” He gave them both a jovial look. “What brings the two of you out here?”

  Elizabeth looked about to die of embarrassment as Oswald flicked something from his jacket. Sarah hoped it was a speck of nonexistent lint and not a leaf or a twig.

  “I might ask you the same thing, Waller.” Oswald said in an accusing tone.

  “I’m just taking a stroll to enjoy the cool evening air. Nothing wrong with that, is there?”

  “No,” Oswald said and cleared his throat. He glanced quickly around. “Only if you were out here with a young lady. That would be unseemly.”

  Doc looked right at Elizabeth. “Yes, I imagine it would be.” He glanced between the two, his eyes landing on Elizabeth again. “Miss Chambers, do you need an escort back to the ball?”

  Sarah watched as Elizabeth’s eyes flicked between the two men. “I… well…”

  Doc Waller gave her a slight bow. “In fact, if Mr. Petite doesn’t mind, would you do me the honor of a dance?”

  Oswald made a scoffing noise. “Dance? With you?”

  “I’d love to!” Elizabeth blurted.

  Doc gave Oswald a wide grin. “Wonderful! Why don’t the three of us make our way back to the ballroom?” He offered Elizabeth his arm.

  Oswald made another noise, one Sarah didn’t try to identify, and offered an arm as well. “Come Miss Chambers, you may dance with this,” he looked Doc up and down, “country bumpkin. But I’ll escort you back to the house.”

  Doc’s eyes narrowed. It was a wonder he didn’t hit Oswald. Oh dear, what a scandal that would be! Not that she’d mind seeing Oswald put in his place. But, the most important thing was to get Elizabeth back to the house.

  Sarah watched her tentatively wrap an arm through one of Oswald’s. The pair began to stroll down the path, Doc just behind them. He looked at her as they passed and smiled. He then gave a toss of his head toward the house, a clear indicator she was to follow.

  She did and made it as far as the edge of lantern light before she stopped and counted to one hundred. Done, she stepped into the light and admired a rosebush. She sniffed a flower or two, then looked at the several sets of French doors leading into the house. “Such a lovely evening,” she commented as several women passed.

  They smiled at her and nodded. “Yes, what a wonderful time we’re having!” One of them said. They giggled amongst themselves and walked on.

  Sarah sighed again, this time in relief, and headed for the house. By now Doc would be dancing with Elizabeth. But where was Oswald?

  “Miss Clemmons,” came a terse voice.

  She spun around. He stood behind a large potted plant. Had he been hiding? “Oswald, there you are. I’ve been looking for you.”

  “And so, you’ve found me,” he said and stepped out from behind the greenery. “Tell me, where have you been?”

  “I just told you, out searching. Where have you been?”

  He chewed on his lower lip a moment. He looked guilty. “I’ve been enjoying the garden,” he finally said.

  I’ll just bet you have, she thought to herself. She looked at the expansive shrubbery and flowers beyond the light. “The Millers’ gardens are interesting. But I’d be afraid to go into them. One could get lost.”

  He suddenly looked at everything but her. “Er … yes, one could I suppose.”

  “Oh,” she said and studied him. The way he was fidgeting he looked about to cause himself a mischief. “Ohhhh,” she then drawled. So that’s what happened! Oswald got lost in the garden! Sarah put a hand to her mouth and coughed. “Oh, my, I seem to be in need of something cold.” And she best hurry or burst out laughing.

  Oswald sighed in relief. “I’ll get you some punch.” He peered into the ballroom, more specifically, at those dancing. “Wait here.”

  As soon as he turned, she grinned. “All right.” She watched him weave his way toward the refreshment table. So, he’d taken Elizabeth into the garden and then couldn’t find his way out again. Hilarious! She couldn’t wait to hear what Elizabeth had to say. Did she know? Probably not. Oswald wasn’t the type to admit to such a silly mistake. But the Millers’ gardens weren’t the easiest to navigate. She was surprised Doc found his way through them as quickly as he did. The man must have an excellent sense of direction, she mused with a smile. One more reason to like him.

  And she did like him, she realized. But was that a good thing? He wasn’t of her class. He was only visiting. And more than likely, he couldn’t see himself courting someone like her in a million years. It just wasn’t done.

  With a sigh she stepped into the ballroom and began to make her way to the refreshment table and Oswald Petite.

  “How was the ball last night?” Sarah’s mother asked the next morning.

  “Like any other ball, Mother,” she said dismally.

  Her mother sat across the morning table with her breakfast plate. “And Oswald? Did the two of you have a good time?”

  Sarah’s mouth curved into a tiny smile as she recalled the look on Oswald’s face. She still couldn’t believe the man got lost in the Millers’ garden with Elizabeth. Too bad she never got the chance to speak with her. As soon as her dance was done with Doc, a half a dozen other gentlemen circled her in hopes of getting to dance with the young beauty. “Yes, I think he enjoyed himself up to a point.”

  Her mother looked up from her eggs. “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, you know how Oswald deems everything boring and beneath him.”

  Her mother frowned. “He does no such thing.”

  “Doesn’t he?” she asked with raised brows.

  “He says he’s coming to call,” her mother stated.

  “What?” Sarah chirped. “Why?”

  “Why?” her mother said in shock. “To see you, of course! My goodness, Sarah, if you don’t get your head out of the clouds, you’ll never get married.”

  “Married! To who?”

  “Oswald of course.”

  Sarah gasped. Oswald was entertaining, in an odd sort of way, and tolerable part of the time. But marry him? “Mother, no.”

  “Yes! He’s the best chance you’ve got, young lady. For Heaven’s sake, don’t mess this up!”

  Sarah gaped at her. “What did you say?”

  “I said, don’t lose this chance to make something of yourself.” Her mother stabbed at her eggs several times. Sarah wondered if she’d crack the plate.

  “I don’t have feelings for Oswald, Mother. I won’t marry him.”

  “Feelings? What do feelings have to do with anything?” She stuffed eggs into her mouth and glared at her as she chewed.

  Sarah let go a heavy sigh. “Mother, he’s just not for me.”

  Her mother wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Then make him for you! Your father and I didn’t go through all this trouble to …” she snapped her mouth shut and stabbed more eggs onto her fork.

  “What trouble?” Sarah asked, suspicious. “What are you talking about?”

  “You’re going to marry him if he asks. And that’s final!” She stuffed the forkful of eggs into her mouth and ate with renewed vigor.

  Sarah hoped she didn’t chip a tooth, or worse, choke. Then what would she do?

  She suddenly smiled. Send for a doctor, of course. Doc …

  “What are you smiling at?” her mother asked then waved her fork at her. “I knew it, you did have a good time!”

  Sarah took the napkin from her lap and tossed it on the table. “Yes, I suppose I did.” Just not with Oswald. She pushed herself away from the table and stood. “I’m going to visit Elizabeth Chambers today.”

  “But Oswald will call today, I’m sure of it,” her mother protested.

  “Yes, but somehow I doubt he’ll be here very long.” Oswald would want to visit Elizabeth, and Sarah wanted to make sure she was there when he did. She wanted to hear from both of them that the only thing that happened last night was getting lost in the garden and nothing else.

  Hmm, would Elizabeth have figured it out and said anything to Doc
during their dance? Probably not. Besides, he would have told her. At least, she hoped he would.

  Though the idea of being courted by Doc Waller was like wishing for snow in July, she still wanted to be friends. And friends told each other things.

  “I’m going to Elizabeth’s, Mother. If Oswald comes by, tell him I’m there. He can visit with me at the Chambers’ home as well as here.”

  “Sarah Clemmons!” Her mother stood. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  She looked at her. “Living my life, Mother. That’s all.” She left the morning room, went upstairs, and fetched her cloak and bonnet. Did spinsters call on friends every morning, or only a few times a week? She’d have to brush up on spinster etiquette. Maybe there was a book on the subject. No sane female would dare inquire. None wanted to be labeled “on the shelf.” But after last night, what choice did she have? She wasn’t about to marry Oswald, and knew he was biding his time until something better came along. At least she could find out if Elizabeth got caught up in Oswald attentions last night and warn her. Or, as much as she hated to think it, listen to Elizabeth’s side and determine if she still had her cap set for him.

  She shuddered at the thought and donned her cloak and bonnet.

  Chapter 9

  Elizabeth Chambers sat, her hands in her lap, and looked at Sarah with those big, green eyes of hers. “I … I knew I shouldn’t have walked so far into the gardens with Mr. Petite.” She glanced around, as if her parents were hiding under a piece of furniture. “But he insisted and said I would be all right so long as I was with him.”

  “And your parents didn’t see you leave the ballroom?” Sarah asked in shock. Usually a mother hen like Mrs. Chambers didn’t let her chick stray very far. She’d even brought reinforcements in the form of aunts and uncles. How did Oswald manage to steal her away? Unless Mrs. Chambers had Oswald in mind for Elizabeth all along. It wouldn’t be the first time a marriage-minded mama got her claws into a perspective groom through scandal. Oswald was a catch, as far as everything went. Except maybe his personality, but that was beside the point. The important thing was, what did Elizabeth think?