“Let them talk. As long as they understand the treasure that Silvia is, I won’t care.”
“Rest well, friend.” Marcus grabbed his coat and hat and was soon on his way back to Rose Hill.
Exhaustion overtook Bruce. He requested dinner be brought to his room and trudged back up the stairs to rest. He really wanted to be in church tomorrow, especially so he could see the lovely Silvia Burnett.
~*~
The next morning Bruce walked to the church for the first time in weeks, and found his usual spot.
Sir Tidley spied him and came to welcome him. “You’re back. I didn’t expect the black eye. What happened?”
Bruce grinned. “This was apparently an early, and unasked-for Christmas gift from the man stalking Miss Burnett.”
Michael’s smile disappeared. “McElroy did that to you?”
“Yes.”
“I’m terribly sorry. The man has been a nuisance since he arrived in town.”
“I agree.”
Sir Tidley went back to sit with his wife, children, and Silvia.
When Silvia glanced his way, her mouth dropped open. When her gaze met his, her face grew pink. She quickly turned away and stared at the prayer book in her lap.
After the service ended, Bruce sat as others milled about. Soon person after person was coming to him to talk about their ailments.
“Please understand.” He put a hand up to stop the clamor. “I’m not yet fully recovered.”
“Miss Burnett told us you could get about by carriage now,” one lady scolded.
“True, but I do not own a carriage.” They didn’t need to know that Marcus had extended an offer.
Sir Tidley came from the bench behind him and whispered in his ear. “I could loan you mine, under one condition.”
Bruce turned, “Which is?”
Michael whispered in his ear again, “You join us for luncheon. Come home with us, and I can free you from this mob.”
Bruce nodded. “Excuse me, everyone.” He stood and gingerly made his way to the aisle where Michael made a dramatic act of assisting him out of the church.
“I’m not that weak, Michael,” the doctor chided.
“Shhhh. They don’t realize that.”
Bruce shook hands with the minister and walked alongside Michael to the waiting carriage. He pulled himself up and grimaced as pain tugged at his side. Almost falling into the carriage, he was saved by the strong arms of Silvia catching and righting him. “Thank you,” he mouthed to her. “For saving me.”
She frowned as he sat next to her on the rear facing bench as Michael climbed in to sit next to his wife.
“That was weeks ago. You needn’t keep thanking me.”
Their gazes met, and he grinned. She wasn’t calling him out on his weakness. Maybe it was too soon to be getting in and out of a carriage.
Exiting the carriage was a much easier affair, and he lent a hand to Miss Burnett as she stepped down. He hooked her arm around his, and she rested her hand on his forearm. They walked side by side to the steps of Hart Manor. He grimaced at realizing she’d done so to hide the need for him to rely subtly on her support. The woman truly was a wonder.
Michael detached him from his escort to let the women go refresh themselves and brought him into the drawing room to sit in front of the fire. Then Michael thrust a glass of brandy into his hand. “So, you want to explain yourself?”
“What? What did I do wrong?”
The women entered the room. Once they were seated, Silvia leaned forward.
“How did you get that black eye?”
“Your supposed fiancé accused me of hiding you from him. After he hit me, he sat outside the house for nearly an hour waiting for you to emerge before lodging a complaint with Lord Remington.”
Silvia frowned. “That would explain things.”
“What things?”
“Such as why no one would talk to me this morning.”
Katrina’s mouth dropped open. “You don’t suppose he spread some kind of tale…?”
“It is exactly what he would do. I’m so sorry, Bruce.”
He was confused. “What kind of tale do you think he spread?”
Michael raised his eyebrows. “Really, Bruce? Did she remove more than your appendix?”
Then it hit him. The entire village believe he had compromised her. “Oh, no! But wait, people were coming to me in droves…”
“Only as a last resort. They are skeptical that I can help them, but desperation gives them no other option,” Silvia responded dryly. She stood and walked to the door.
“Where are you going?” Katrina asked.
“Back to my job. The one I moved here for.”
Katrina rushed to her side. “You may take the afternoon off at least and enjoy a meal with us before you go licking your wounds.”
Michael paced. “So, in spite of all of Lord Remington’s precautions in providing extra servants to provide chaperonage for when Silvia came to care for you, we are now at an impasse.”
“Not true. I could always leave,” Silvia said.
“And go where?” Katrina asked. “No money, no connections, and your reputation in tatters because of a jealous buffoon?”
“I suppose that was his goal. Make it impossible to say no to his proposal.” Silvia slumped into a nearby chair, leaned forward, and put her head in her hands. “It’s hopeless.”
Katrina knelt before her. “Nothing is hopeless. I suggest we pray about this, eat dinner, and then you get some rest. We have time to consider our options and you are always welcome here, regardless of the tittle-tattle in town. They will soon see the error of their ways.”
Bruce’s heart ached. He’d put Silvia beyond the pale. Whether Sir McElroy was right or not was irrelevant. He compromised her the minute he asked her to operate on him even though Marcus was present. Well, except for that kiss. He stood. “She could always marry me.”
Everyone stopped to stare at him.
“You’re a nodcock, Doctor, if you think that constitutes a proposal,” Michael stated.
Silvia shook her head. “You owe me nothing, Bruce. This isn’t your problem to solve. It’s mine.”
“No.” Michael protested. “It’s God’s.” He motioned for them to all to come close and bent his head to pray. “Heavenly Father, we come to You with Silvia’s reputation and ask that by Your miraculous power You would show us what we are to do. Comfort Silvia and give us each wisdom in the coming days and weeks so that our words and actions would honor You.”
Montague entered the room “Luncheon is served.”
They went to eat. Bruce considered Silvia as she moved food around her plate. “You need to eat and keep up your own health. Don’t let me be summoned to your side to nurse you back to health.”
She gave him a small smile and took a bite of food. “I am tired. Please excuse me.” She placed her napkin on the table and rose to her feet. Head held high she left the room.
Bruce sighed. “She wouldn’t really go to McElroy and accept his proposal would she?”
“For her sake, and yours, I hope not,” Katrina said.
~*~
Several days passed. Silvia spent her days with the children and her nights wondering and praying. By Wednesday, she was exhausted. When Bruce strode into the nursery there was no escape.
“Silvia, may we go somewhere private to talk?”
“Do Michael and Katrina realize you are here?”
“Yes. Come.” He held out a hand and together they took the stairs to the library. He shut the door behind him and locked it.
“Why are you…?”
“Several reasons. McElroy is still in town and it would not surprise me if he tried to push his way in here. And I don’t want you to run away from me.”
“Is there a reason I would want to?”
“Come, sit down here next to me so we can talk.” His hand went to his side.
“You still experience some pain.”
“Some. ’Tis min
or. Stairs, getting in a carriage, all make it more painful if I am not careful.”
Oh, he had taken the stairs to the third floor to fetch her! “You could have sent a servant to get me.”
“And be told you were unavailable like every other time?”
Silvia hung her head. “I’ve not been in the mood for visitors.”
Bruce reached for her hand with a tender touch. “I’ve botched this twice now, and I hope I can do this right. I’ve loved you since we sat on that beach in Brighton making youthful promises. I never believed I was good enough for a woman like you, in spite of my education. Your father forbade me proposing until I was settled and you were older.”
She allowed his hand to fully envelope hers and warmth spread through her.
“When I got your letter, it was as if my heart had been in hibernation all these years and spring had finally come. You arrived and your beauty stole my breath.”
“I figured it was because I was wielding a knife,” she joked.
“I trusted you. I was a fool not to return for you. I never thought you’d be content with a humble village doctor, and the people here have become like family. I care about them.”
“The feeling is mutual, I think. They place great faith in you. Your absence was keenly felt.”
He sighed. “I love you. I could think of no better woman to be my wife and helper in serving this community.”
“They all believe me to be an immoral woman.”
“They’ve been misled, but they will change their minds. Those you have cared for are standing by you and denouncing Sir McElroy’s lies.”
“Oh.”
Bruce nodded and took her other hand to hold them both. “I love you and long to spend the rest of my life with you. Loving, raising a family, and working together.”
“I sometimes think I would be a terrible mother.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve enjoyed doing the work of medicine so much. I’d hate to give it up.”
His brows wrinkled. “Why would you need to give it up?”
“You are well. I am no longer needed.”
“You are needed, by me and the people in the village. You blessed them and I need someone with whom I can discuss treatments. I can think of no better assistant.”
“So, you don’t want a wife, you want an assistant?” She kept a straight face. He really was trying so hard.
“Did your father know about the promise we’d made?”
She shook her head. “And as much as I hoped you remembered and would want to fulfill that promise, I don’t want you to marry me because you believe you need to or to salve my reputation with this nonsense.”
“No one is forcing my hand. When can we wed?”
“It takes three weeks to call the banns.”
“We could marry on Christmas Day. I should be fully recovered by then.”
She smiled. “I would like that very much.”
“May I kiss you?” he asked.
“I was hoping you would.”
He obliged her.
~*~
Sir McElroy called every day that week, but Michael denied him access to Silvia who stayed in the nursery with the children.
Tired of hiding away in her room, Silvia wandered to the library to get a book to read. Something to take her mind off of everything that had happened. Perhaps she’d choose an academic tome. She definitely didn’t want one of Mrs. Radcliffe’s gothic novels. She was surprised to come upon Sir Tidley with none other than Sir McElroy.
Michael was in a chair. “What brings you here, Sir McElroy?
“I must see my fiancée, so we can plan our wedding.”
Silvia gasped from the open door at the words. Both men turned and she fought the urge to run.
“Have the banns been called?”
The man shook his head. “I procured a special license.”
“Really? Whyever for? Did you compromise her? Is there a necessity to rush to the altar?” Michael inquired.
Her momentary paralysis at the doorway was over. Rage infused her as she rushed forward. “This is preposterous! Of course, he has done no such thing. And I have no desire to wed this man!”
The visitor blustered, “No... Um.”
Michael raised a hand to forestall further speech.
“Women can be difficult to understand but Miss Burnett has been especially clear that she has no desire to marry you.”
The man puffed out his chest.
“Let me ask you this. Did you tell people that Dr. Miller compromised Miss Burnett to force her to accept your proposal?”
The baronet paled. “I only shared what I saw.”
“While drinking at the local pub.”
“How did you…?”
“I live in this area and used to work as a spy for the War Office. I’ve done some checking and discovered some shady events in your past that society would scorn you for.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I’m stating facts.”
The man leapt to his feet. “I could call you out for this.”
Michael rose. “For what?”
“Questioning my honor.”
“What honor?” Michael ground his teeth. “I am done with these games. I will marry Silvia or else.”
“I’d rather be dead than marry you!” Silvia asserted, but she hung close to the door in case she needed to seek the safety of her room. She trusted Sir Tidley, but McElroy was volatile.
“Or else what?” Michael challenged.
Sir McElroy pulled out a gun. “This.” He waved it in Michael’s direction.
Seriously? Silvia held her breath afraid to do anything that could cause the intruder to harm her friend’s husband.
Michael opened a drawer and pulled out his own weapon and primed it. “Are we going to stand and shoot each other or count paces?”
The man pulled the trigger and missed Michael, but the former spy hadn’t waited for that and shot the baronet in the thigh. The man fell to the ground screaming in agony.
Silvia’s breath came in shuddering gasps. She’d assisted in caring for bullet wounds before but had never seen someone shot.
The wounded man writhed on the carpet whimpering and moaning in his pain.
Michael went to the door of the study and summoned the footman. “I need help to get Sir McElroy back to his room at the inn. Someone can take a carriage and fetch Dr. Miller. Miss Burnett, I believe we have need of your services.”
Katrina rushed to him. “I heard gunshots. Are you well?”
Silvia sank into a chair. She’d need to treat this man?
“He missed. I’m fine. He, however, is not.”
As if on cue, Sir McElroy groaned.
Two footmen carried the baronet to the coach. Michael followed stopped and placed a hand on Silvia’s shoulder. “ Gather your things and I’ll send you in the other carriage to fetch Dr. Miller. I suspect he’ll need to remove that bullet.” He strode out the door.
Katrina turned to Silvia. “Come. There is work to be done.”
Rising to her feet she allowed her friend to lead her to her room. Thank you, Lord for sparing Michael’s life. Help me deal with caring for a man I detest. You call me to forgive but he almost killed an honorable man…all over me? Grabbing her bag, she headed back downstairs, and Montague helped her with her cloak. Exiting the house Michael assisted her into the carriage and they departed.
8
Bruce was startled to find Silvia on his doorstep. She rushed past him with her black bag. “Come Bruce, we must hurry to the inn.”
He followed behind. “Why?”
“Because Michael shot Sir McElroy. You need to remove the bullet.”
“I’ll get the chloroform.”
“Why? You didn’t need it.”
Bruce packed it anyway. This intriguing woman possessed a dark side, did she? He grinned. Soon they were back in the carriage and barreling to the inn.
“How is your side?” Silvia asked.
“Tender at times but getting better every day. I’m trying to take it easy.”
“This venture may not qualify for that.”
“Where did the man get shot?”
“I believe it was his leg.”
Bruce’s eyes grew wide. “That might mean I need to remove his trousers.”
Silvia blushed. “Such is the reason I rushed to fetch you instead of tending to the wound myself.”
Snow began to fall outside the carriage window. Christmas was coming and he had the best gift right here beside him.
The carriage pulled to a stop. Bruce stepped down and turned to help Silvia. Together they entered the inn and were ushered up the stairs to the room where their patient writhed in agony.
A young man, supposedly Sir McElroy’s valet, greeted them. “He’s insensible.”
“Fetch us some hot water.”
The man left, and Bruce approached the bed with Silvia behind him. “Sir. I’m Doctor Miller. Where are you wounded?”
“My leg.” The man opened his eyes. “You!”
“Yes, I am the doctor.”
“You cannot touch me.” He spied Silvia next to him. “What is she doing here?”
Silvia set her bag on a nearby table and opened it. “What you would you like first, Doctor?”
“Miss Burnett is my affianced bride. She needs to leave,” Sir McElroy groaned as Dr. Miller inspected the wound.
“Not a through and through but it is in deep. Knife and tweezers. Some alcohol to cleanse the wound. I can cut away a small portion of the trousers for the sake of modesty.”
Silvia turned around with the instruments and a bottle of whiskey. “Anything for him?”
The patient writhed. “You’re not listening to me! Get her out of here! I don’t want either of you touching me.”
“Well. Guess that means we can go downstairs and partake of dinner. Sir Tidley awaits us, and Lord Remington has been summoned as the local magistrate.” Dr. Miller turned to the patient. “Lead poisoning can be nasty way to go if your leg doesn’t get infected and need to be amputated. It’s high up on the thigh. Why didn’t he aim for the heart? Tidley is a crack shot.”
“Perhaps he thought it generous to spare Sir McElroy’s life. The baronet has been delusional, believing that I would marry him.” Silvia put the instruments back in the bag.
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