“You are a quiet one, Miss Devon,” Mr. Macon said abruptly, bringing her out of her thoughts. He was staring at her, eyebrows drawn down in a frown.
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Macon.” She tried to bring herself back to the present. Had she missed something he said? “I am afraid I was wool gathering.”
“Hm.” He dabbed at his lips with his napkin. “What sort of thoughts, Miss Devon, could give you that wistful little smile? Thinking of a beau, perhaps?” His eyes narrowed and one corner of his mouth went upward in a knowing smirk.
Julia nearly gasped at his audacity, but instead forced a complacent expression. “Not at all, sir. Merely reflecting on my duties for the day.”
“Duties? Are you not a guest here?” he asked, gesturing around the room. “Or have you been employed to some purpose? You are my sister-in-law’s cousin, are you not?”
The impertinent tone he used was less forgivable than his pointed questions, but Julia determined she would not take offense. Who knew the man’s emotional state, with his elder brother ill?
“I am indeed, sir. But during this difficult time for the family, I have offered my services to Lady Heatherton in whatever way she has need. My cousin wishes to spend as much time as possible with her husband, and it pleases me to spend time with the little boys. Excuse me, I ought to go check in on them now.” She really had no further wish to be in his company, but when he hurried to stand with her she remembered she needed to help Virginia by setting Gerard Macon at ease in the home.
“Is there anything you require this morning, Mr. Macon? For your diversion?”
He met her eyes pointedly and put a grin on his face. “Not at all, Miss Devon. I will take myself to the study until my brother summons me. Thank you for your kind concern.” He bowed and Julia nodded before hurrying from the room. Something about his air, his very manner, displeased her. He struck her as high-handed and his questions prying.
Julia brushed away those thoughts, determined not to judge the man based on only two meetings, and she took herself to the nursery. The boys were happy to see her, as ever, and rejoiced at the idea of going to the park. They wanted to jump and run more than they could indoors. They began to plan the outing with relish and Nurse Smyth obviously approved.
As Julia prepared to take her leave of the little boys, a light rap on the door drew their attention to Virginia, peeping inside, smiling warmly at her children.
“May I come in?” she asked.
Both boys chorused their approval and Edward began to rattle off the number of things he planned to do with his day, mentioning the walk in the park as an especial treat.
“You two are very fortunate your Cousin Julia loves adventure as much as you do,” Virginia told them, ruffling Edward’s hair. She grinned at Phillip and waved her finger at him. “And I expect you to make sure your brother behaves, Phillip.”
“Yes, Mother,” he answered sweetly.
“Good boy. Now, I must steal Cousin Julia away, but then I will come back and hear your reading lesson.” Virginia kissed Edward on the forehead and stepped out. Julia followed, closing the door behind her.
Virginia did not waste any time, but began speaking right there, in the hallway. “I am told my brother-in-law is here. He arrived last night?”
“Yes, I saw him come in. He was eating breakfast a moment ago.” Julia studied Virginia’s expression carefully. Her cousin’s face had gone pale and she pressed her lips tightly together. “He was not expected?”
Virginia shook her head and raised a hand to rub her forehead. “Not yet. We thought he would take a few days to get here. He must have set off shortly after he received our last letter. Bother.” Virginia glanced up and down the hallway, then took Julia’s hand and dragged her unceremoniously into a room not far from the boys’; an empty guest chamber.
“Is something wrong?” Julia dared to ask when the door was shut and they stood in shadows. “You don’t seem pleased to have him here.”
“I am suspicious,” Virginia admitted, crossing the room to the closed curtains. She opened one side, letting in enough light that they could see each other clearly. “In our last letter, before we knew how Charles’s illness had worsened, I wrote that he would be seeing his lawyer soon.”
“Oh. About the will and the estate,” Julia said. “You think his rush is something to do with the legalities?”
“I do.” Virginia began to pace, clasping her hands before her. “Gerard has never cared much for being the second son. He has said things, veiled insults really, to me and to Charles. When the boys were born, he refused to come to either Christening. Charles said, when they were young, Gerard and he were good friends. But when their father made it clear that Charles was favored, because he would inherit, Gerard became sullen. Resentful. We rarely see him.” She raised one trembling hand to her temple. “I am worried he will only serve to bring hard feelings into this house, and at such a time when we all need peace and comfort.”
“I see.” Julia took in a deep breath and released it carefully. “I hope that is not the case. Perhaps he only wishes to reconcile, to make his own sort of peace before Charles is called Home.”
Virginia started shaking her head, but a sigh escaped her. “I hope so. But he has never been pleasant company. How did he act at breakfast?”
“Not exactly unpleasant,” Julia said, wondering if she ought to tell her cousin how she felt or if that would only do more harm than good. “I have not fully formed an impression of him.”
“Of course.” Virginia came forward and laid a hand on Julia’s arm. “I apologize, Julia. I have no wish to alarm you or add to your burden. I am only concerned, and with everything that is already pressing upon me—” Her voice broke, and when she closed her eyes tightly, tears slipped from beneath her lashes.
Julia immediately wrapped her arms around her cousin, pulling her close. She quietly promised herself that if Gerard Macon had come to make trouble, she would do all she could to head him off before he could bring greater hurt to the already grieving family.
Chapter Seven
Nathaniel elected to stroll through one of Bath’s smaller parks on his way from one patient to another, hoping to enjoy the quiet and what little nature the month of January could afford him. It hadn’t rained for more than a day, however, which meant the whole of the grassy area had been taken up with children running about and nannies walking their charges along the paths. Still, it was a far better walk than trying to get through the streets.
The trees in this particular park were young, no more than ten years old he would guess, but they stood on one side of the path like sentinels guarding the pathway, their bare branches reaching to the heavens. In the spring, the oaks would leave yellow powder everywhere, causing an alarming amount of sneezing in children and their nannies.
Nathaniel shook his head and kept moving, though at a leisurely pace. Listening to children laugh had always lightened his heart. Such laughter meant there was good in the world, and joy, and life.
Nathaniel slowed his pace when he realized there was a woman approaching him on the walk whom he recognized. Julia Devon. Her lovely figure clad in a deep green walking gown, and her hands tucked into a brown fur muff, she walked next to a tall gentleman.
Neither of them looked pleased with the arrangement. The gentleman walked with his chin tucked down and a frown on his lips. Julia’s face was pale and her posture stiff. Though they obviously walked together, keeping pace with each other, there was a good foot of space between them. Most ladies would have their arm through that of an escort.
He was contemplating whether to do more than tip his hat to Julia, when she glanced up from the grassy area, where her young cousins must be playing, and saw him.
Her entire aspect changed as instantly as Bath weather was wont to do. Her cheeks took on color, her lips turned upward in a smile, and a hand came out of her muff to wave at him.
If I didn’t know better, Nathaniel thought to himself, I’d think she is p
ositively delighted to see me.
“Doctor Hastings,” she greeted when they were several paces away from each other. Even her voice sounded pleased. “It is lovely to see you today.”
Nathaniel came closer and reached up to tip his hat to her. “Miss Devon. I am glad the weather has allowed you to bring the boys outside at last.”
She looked ready to say more but darted a glance at her companion, whose expression remained unpleasant. “Pardon me, I must introduce to you my cousin’s brother-in-law. Mr. Gerard Macon, this is Doctor Nathaniel Hastings, the physician who has been attending to the baron.”
Mr. Macon made his brief bow and Nathaniel returned it. “It is good to finally meet you, Doctor Hastings,” the man said, his tone hardly indicating the words were truthful.
“And you, Mr. Macon.” Nathaniel paused to give the man the ability to venture any words or questions about his brother’s health, but when Gerard Macon only turned his eyes back to the trees, he dismissed the idea of further conversation.
Julia began speaking again, her voice pitched a little higher than normal. “Would you care to join us on our walk? We are only marching up and down this path here, so I may keep an eye on Phillip and Edward.”
Nathaniel nearly answered that he hadn’t the time, but Mr. Macon shifted suddenly. “I think I would prefer to sit for a time.” He nodded towards a bench. “But you are welcome to continue without me, Miss Devon.” Without another word, he walked away, leaving Nathaniel and Julia to stare after his rude departure.
“Well.” Nathaniel looked askance at Julia. Taking in the way she sighed and shook her head, he decided a brief time in her company wouldn’t hurt anything. “If you’d like to continue the opposite way for a moment,” he said, offering her his arm, “I can walk you to that end of the lane before I must be on my way. I have an appointment in that direction.”
She hesitated, staring at his arm and biting her bottom lip. But then her hand reached for his arm and she brought herself about to face the same direction as he. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”
He barely felt her gloved hand against the thick warmth of his coat sleeve, but he was aware of its presence nonetheless. She kept the other in her muff and pulled it in close to her stomach. Nathaniel took a step, measured to allow her to match it, and then they were walking. Together. In a park.
Like they had often done in London during their months of acquaintance. How often had she met him, a maid her only escort, in the park near her aunt’s home? At least two times a week. He would wait for her under a tree, watching the lane with anticipation, knowing the half hour spent with her would be the best of his day. They spent the whole time talking of things that mattered, laughing at the inconsequential, and sharing pieces of themselves with each other.
“I have missed this,” she said, drawing him from his memories. For an instant, he even thought she meant she missed him, and a strange mixture of regret and hope stirred his heart. But she quickly added, as though aware of his misapprehension, “I have missed walking. The icy rain kept more than my little cousins from good exercise.”
Nathaniel studied her from the corner of his eye, his heart warning him that time spent with her would harm him further. Despite his conversation with Timothy, Nathaniel knew he could never be truly indifferent to Julia. He had given his heart to her, and he had a feeling she would always retain at least a piece of it without even knowing. He had to keep the rest of himself closed off to her. It was out of self-preservation.
But thinking of Timothy in conjunction with Julia brought his friend’s words back to him. “Make your peace with the situation. Tell her it hurt, you got over it, and you wish her well.”
Would speaking of the past help to heal it? Now was as good a time as any to find out. They were in a public place but perfectly able to have a private conversation. But how did one broach such a subject?
“I am glad you happened to walk this way,” Julia said suddenly, and he knew he had been quiet too long. “I am afraid I needed a break from minding more than just the children.” She glanced at him from the corner of her eye and offered a hesitant smile. “I am minding Mr. Macon as well, you see, and he is not the most even-tempered charge.”
Her words surprised a chuckle out of him. “He didn’t look as though he enjoyed being outside. Perhaps it is only the cold.” He swallowed and darted his glance away from her warm eyes, reminding himself that she was not his friend, and this was not London.
“I am not certain what he enjoys,” she muttered, blowing out an exasperated breath. “He is a very critical person. I tell you this not to give air to grievance, but because I know you care about Lord and Lady Heatherton.” She adjusted her hand on his arm, drawing herself a little tighter to him, though she seemed unaware of the movement, her eyes searching for the boys again. “I fear he is causing my cousin some anxiety.”
“Oh?” That brought him fully into the conversation and he banished his personal concerns at this revelation. “At a time like this, Lady Heatherton needs more support than she does worries. Is the baron aware of this? If she is troubled, he must be also.”
Julia bit her bottom lip and shook her head, lowering her eyes to the path beneath their feet. “Virginia doesn’t wish to say anything to him. Though I am given to believe the brothers do not get along, I think Lord Heatherton hopes to have peace between them. That is natural, isn’t it? Toward the end of one’s life?”
Nathaniel nodded, meeting her concerned gaze squarely. “It is. Most people wish to make things right with all and sundry, to be able to leave this life without regrets. While it is good of your cousin to wish this for her husband, Mr. Macon should not be about if he is making this time more difficult.”
“Isn’t that what family does sometimes?” she asked, one corner of her mouth quirking upward. “They make things difficult.” She looked away from him again. “I know it is not in your power to do anything directly, but I thought if you found a way, indirectly, to assist in the situation, it would be appreciated.”
Although he couldn’t think of a thing he might do, Nathaniel found himself nodding his agreement. “Of course, Miss Devon. I will help in any way I can.”
“Thank you.” She stopped walking and he realized they were as far as she could go and maintain her watch of the boys, who appeared to be playing a racing game with a group of other youngsters. “I appreciate your kindness, Doctor Hastings.” She released his arm and it startled him how bereft he felt without that gentle weight upon it.
“Not at all, Miss Devon. Good day to you.” He tipped his hat and half-bowed. She offered a deferential nod and curtsy. Then she turned away and walked back the way they had come. He stayed on the spot, watching as one of the boys ran up to her and began tugging on her muff. She laughed and produced a small box, handing the boy something from it, which he promptly shoved in his mouth before running away.
For all that she was concerned with the affairs of her cousin’s family, she could still laugh and bring happiness to the children. Nathaniel couldn’t say he was surprised.
She’d always had a way of making him smile, too.
Nathaniel was no closer to protecting himself from her. He would need to speak to her earnestly, and soon, to keep his word to Timothy and possibly mend the broken pieces of his heart.
Chapter Eight
Though Nathaniel rarely had opportunity to move about in society, he enjoyed mingling with others. The night of the concert with Miss Felicity Rochester proved to be a delightful evening. She performed early on, as she was relatively unknown and the best performances were usually saved for last. Her companion sat next to him throughout, a delightful woman in her mid-forties named Mrs. Laurent.
Together, the three of them enjoyed the other performances, and there was a grand buffet laid out for anyone feeling peckish afterward. While he was in Miss Felicity’s company, several people had come to pay their compliments to her. In the course of the introductions, they inevitably began speaking to him abo
ut the life of a physician in Bath.
Nathaniel had accepted a few cards and handed out one or two of his own. Lady Huntington had been right. The evening proved fruitful for his work as physician. Several people had asked him to visit them or someone they cared for. While his practice was not yet thriving as he hoped it one day would, evenings such as this one created greater security for the future.
Perhaps, when he wished to change his marital status, a night like tonight would make it possible to do so without fear.
He swiftly shoved that thought aside, wondering where it had come from. He had no intention of marrying. Not yet. There was plenty of time for that later.
Nathaniel was speaking to a dowager countess of advanced years when he noticed a footman approached him, moving discreetly but pointedly. Nathaniel had learned how to recognize the earnest movements of someone searching for a doctor but avoiding a spectacle. He stepped aside, toward the wall, giving the footman easier access to him. Servants should not be seen speaking directly to guests at these events; every measure of discretion he could grant was given.
“Pardon me, Doctor Hastings,” the footman said, pitching his voice for Nathaniel’s ears only. “A message has come for you.” He handed the doctor a card. “I have taken the precaution of having your carriage brought around, sir.”
Nathaniel nodded and opened the folded paper.
The words were written in obvious haste, in a feminine hand.
Doctor Hastings, please come to Baron M’s house at once. One of the boys has fallen terribly ill. The baroness fears it is his father’s sickness. Your immediate attention is required. Respectfully, etc., J.D.
Nathaniel tucked the card into a pocket and hastily found Miss Felicity. He explained the situation to her quickly. “You see,” he finished, “I must go. Do you a wish to stay? Ought I to find a way to return you home?”
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