An Unexpected Gentleman

by Laura Beers

  “You sell your betrothed short,” Aunt Nellie replied. “After all, she is an excellent surgeon.”

  “I have witnessed that firsthand.”

  Aunt Nellie lowered her embroidery to her lap. “I do have some reservations about Amelia returning to your time.”

  Adam sat down on an upholstered armchair next to her. “Pray tell, what are they?”

  Placing the handkerchief onto a side table, Aunt Nellie faced him and said, “In our day, Amelia is a highly competent, highly successful doctor from a top medical university. I am concerned that you will attempt to suppress her intellect, and she will have no choice but to return back to her time… without you.”

  Fear gripped his heart. “You don’t think she would abandon us, do you?”

  “It depends,” Aunt Nellie expressed. “Will you treat her as a true partner, and a woman that you cherish and love?” She lifted her brow. “Or do you intend to marry her with the intention of her succumbing to the role of a nineteenth-century woman?”

  Adam looked down at the Persian carpet, taking a moment to compile his thoughts. “That is a ticklish question, Aunt Nellie,” he replied, bringing his eyes up to look at the twinkling lights in the wall sconces. “I have every intention of marrying Amelia and treasuring her for the remarkable woman that she is. I will give her the freedom to make her own decisions, and I will never expect her to change who she is for me.” He sighed. “However, the ton are a fickle lot, and there will be times when she will need to conform to the social norms of our day.”

  Reaching over, Aunt Nellie patted him on the leg. “There is a saying in our time; ‘Happy wife, happy life’.” She smiled.

  “I think that is wise counsel.” His eyes roamed the drawing room, and he could not believe the changes evident in this room alone. “I will miss these brilliant lights,” he said as he looked at the twinkling lights on the wall.

  “Ah, yes, you mean the light bulb,” Aunt Nellie muttered, following his gaze. “Lovely invention, but that wasn’t until 1879.”

  “It’s fascinating,” he said, walking closer to the wall sconces and putting his hand close to the light bulb. “Much more practical than candles.”

  “I apologize that I have asked you to remain close to Twickenham Manor, but I feel that it is best for you not to experience too many of the vastly different changes in culture between our times,” Aunt Nellie explained.

  “It is hard not to see the differences, especially since I see cars out my window,” he shared, turning back to face Aunt Nellie. “Don’t worry, Amelia has told me about cars, planes, and even air conditioning.”

  “Air conditioning,” she murmured. “Another wonderful invention.”

  Adam ran a hand through his hair. “Tomorrow is the full moon, and I worry that Amelia will not be ready to depart.”

  “Poor Amelia has been quite busy. She had to travel back to America to bury her mother, settle her mother’s estate, and officially withdraw from her residency program at Harvard,” Aunt Nellie said.

  “I would have liked to have traveled with her, but Amelia informed me that I do not have a passport,” he recalled. “Which, apparently, is important when you travel here.”

  “It is,” she confirmed, her eyes perusing his garments. “In addition, you would stick out like a sore thumb with your clothing style.”

  Looking down at his buff trousers, paisley waistcoat, and a white linen shirt, he asked, “What is wrong with my style of dress?”

  “Nothing,” Aunt Nellie raised her hand to hide her dimpled smile, “if you are an English gentleman from the early nineteenth century.”

  “It is a good thing that you have a room full of Regency-era dress clothes,” he stated, tugging down on his waistcoat. “Although, the quality of the fabric is much finer in my day.”

  Amelia’s voice broke into their conversation. “I, for one, would not change a thing about your appearance,” she declared, sauntering into the room and placing her purse on a side table. This gave him time to admire her black trousers, loose, flowery top, and high-heeled shoes. With a smile, she moved towards him and didn’t stop until she kissed him on the lips.

  Placing his hands on her hips, Adam lowered his head, very gently resting his forehead against hers. He stayed there and breathed her in. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you as well,” she said, her eyes full of merriment. “I have good news.”

  He pulled her closer. “Good news? Does that mean you are ready to go back to my time and marry me?”

  She leaned forward and kissed him. “That is already a given.”

  “Then what is your good news?”

  Aunt Nellie spoke up, “Perhaps you two would like to take a stroll around Twickenham Manor on one of our many lovely paths?”

  “That is an excellent idea,” Amelia replied, reaching for his right hand. As they left the room, she grabbed her purse.

  Adam could feel the excitement build in each one of Amelia’s steps as they walked out the main door, and he couldn’t wait to discover the reason. Once they reached a bench that faced the River Thames, he made sure she was seated comfortably before he claimed the seat next to her.

  “I was dreadfully bored as I waited for you,” he shared. “I even considered embroidering.”

  “Dear me,” Amelia mocked, touching her fingertips to the base of her throat in feigned shock. “You poor, poor man.”

  He laughed as he had not laughed in a long time. Only Amelia could make him feel like he would burst with happiness at any moment. “Life with you will most definitely not be dull.”

  “I am sorry I have been so busy these past few weeks, but it could not be helped.”

  “You never need to apologize to me.”

  “But I do,” she said softly. “You have been so incredibly patient and supportive of me, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  Bringing his hand up to rest on her cheek, Adam expressed, “My only regret is that I could not have been there to help you bury your mother.”

  A wistful look came into her eyes. “That was hard.”

  “I am here now,” he stated, his eyes imploring hers. “Never again will you have to face another obstacle alone.”

  “For that, my dear Lord Harrington, I am most grateful.” Leaning forward, she kissed him, an aching slow kiss that left him with an intense longing for more.

  Adam reluctantly broke the kiss. “Tomorrow cannot come soon enough. I will secure a special license, and we will be wed as quickly as possible, my lady.”

  “I think that’s a grand idea, my lord.” She grinned. “I have more good news as well.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a large, black velvet bag. “My parents were quite well-off, and I wanted to bring my inheritance back with me. Luckily for us, Aunt Nellie recommended a way for that to be possible.”

  He stilled her hand. “That is unnecessary. I have amassed a fortune of my own, and you will want for nothing.”

  She gave him an understanding smile before she opened the bag, revealing precious gems of all sizes and shapes. “This is only a portion of my inheritance.”

  “This is only a portion?” He started to exclaim before he lowered his voice. “What you are holding is worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in 1813.”

  “I know,” Amelia said. “I wanted to use this money to establish a hospital… and run it myself.” She held her breath, waiting for his response.

  “I think it is a brilliant idea,” he declared.

  “You do?”

  “I do,” he insisted. “We will need to find some forward-thinking doctors to work in the hospital, because I have no doubt that you will play an active role.”

  “Thank you for understanding how much this means to me.” Her words were filled with emotion as she tied the string on the bag.

  Adam tucked a lock of brown hair behind her ear. “I fell in love with a female time-traveling doctor, so I logically concluded that your life as a doctor was far from over.�
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  She leaned down and placed the bag back into her purse as she shared, “The other portion of my inheritance has been set aside in an account for when we travel back to this time…”

  He cut her off, suddenly defensive. “Why would we need to travel back to the twenty-first century? For what purpose?”

  “Well, you don’t have to travel back with me. I just assumed…”

  Adam stood up and placed his hands on top of his head, pacing. Amelia was already planning on traveling back to her era and leaving him behind.

  Unexpectedly, Amelia’s hands wrapped around his waist, and she laid her head against his back. “The only reason I would want to leave you is that I want to have our babies in a modern hospital.”

  He stilled. “Babies?” he asked, turning around in her arms.

  “I had assumed… uh,” she hesitated, “that you wanted more children.” She lowered her gaze. “I know that we hadn’t talked about it, but…”

  He cut her off by pressing his mouth to hers. After they parted, he said, “I am sorry, my love. I was worried that you would grow to regret your decision to stay with me. Then, when you mentioned time traveling, I just panicked…”

  Pressing her finger against his lips, Amelia stilled his words. “With every breath, every heartbeat, I love you more.” Her eyes glistened with tears. “You will always be enough.”

  “Even more than indoor plumbing?” he teased. “Because I agree with Miss Turner’s sentiments. It is brilliant.”

  She laughed. “Even more than indoor plumbing.”

  Tightening his hold around her waist, he expressed, “Marian will be pleased to have you as a mother.”

  “To think I had given up on ever finding love.” Her amber-flecked eyes were deep wells of affection as she watched him. “Then you came along, my unexpected gentleman, and I have never known such joy.”

  “I have one rule,” he whispered against her lips.

  “Anything.”

  “Wherever you go, I go,” he said. “If you choose to travel through time, I will be at your side.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Amelia agreed, sealing their words with a kiss.

  Epilogue

  A highly-amused Adam leaned against the wall in Amelia’s managerial office, hiding a bemused smile behind his hand. His very pregnant wife placed her hands on her polished mahogany desk and leaned forward in her imposing leather armchair.

  “Would you care to repeat that, Dr. Wilcox?”

  Calmly, Dr. Wilcox removed his spectacles and wiped them off with a handkerchief. “I was merely pointing out that because of your advanced age,” he placed his spectacles back onto his rather long, pointed nose, “you may have complications during childbirth.”

  Amelia’s eyes narrowed. “I am only twenty-eight.”

  “Yes, which is well past the ideal age for childbirth. You must be grateful that Lord Harrington was willing to overlook your age when he chose you to be his countess.” Dr. Wilcox gave Adam a confused look. “Didn’t your doctor inform Lady Harrington about how age affects childbirth?”

  Rising with difficulty, Amelia’s flashing eyes never left the doctor’s face. “Please come here so I may hit you,” she invited in a deliberate tone.

  “I b-beg your pardon, madam?” Dr. Wilcox stammered.

  Amelia placed a hand to her back and waddled precariously around the desk. “I said ‘Come here so I may hit you’, you incompetent quack!”

  Dr. Wilcox’s expression was most decidedly annoyed. “Lady Harrington, even though your body is going through changes, you must consider your reputation.”

  Pushing off the wall, Adam stepped to intercept his wife before she made good on her promise to punch the doctor. He easily caught up to his wife and placed an arm around her shoulder, halting her forward progression.

  “Dearest, it is not seemly to use fisticuffs in a facility that treats the ill and injured.”

  The doctor humphed. “I was told that ‘the Countess of Harrington Hospital’ was forward thinking and using new techniques to help the sick. Unfortunately, I was not informed that the matron was mad!”

  Having had enough of this pompous doctor’s attitude, Adam proclaimed, “You are dismissed, doctor, and your application will not be considered.”

  “B-b-ut, Lord Harrington…”

  “No buts,” Adam declared, cutting him off with a decisive wave of his hand. “My wife runs this hospital, and you have made the grave mistake of insulting her.”

  Amelia leaned towards the seated doctor with her hands on her hips, nearly toppling over, and asserted, “Most abominably.”

  Adam chuckled. “My wife was not pleased that you said that she was ‘of advanced age’.”

  The doctor took off his glasses and attempted to ignore the unbalanced woman looming over him. “Lord Harrington, if I may…”

  “Good day,” Adam proclaimed, suddenly stern. He kept his gaze firmly on the doctor until the self-righteous man stormed out.

  Amelia moved to leave the support of his arm as she said, “Thank you, dear husband.”

  Adam tightened his hold and brought his other arm around her expansive waist, engulfing her in his arms. “I believe I deserve a reward for saving you from that pompous and arrogant doctor.”

  Smiling up at him, Amelia’s hands slid around his neck. “What would you like?”

  “A kiss,” he murmured before his lips pressed against hers. Breaking the kiss, he kept his arms around her, relishing her swollen body. “Are you ready to go home and rest before we leave for Twickenham Manor?”

  “I most assuredly am,” she replied, rubbing her large, protruding belly in a circular pattern. “Our little boy will be coming any day now.” The next Harrington gave a mighty stretch, which caused Amelia to gasp and clench her side.

  Adam shook his head in amazement. “I still find it miraculous that a metal tool could swipe over your stomach and allow us to see inside of you. Furthermore, I still can’t grasp how this magical tool can tell the gender of the babe.”

  Laughing, Amelia said, “I find your descriptions adorable. Once we are in the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s hospital, I will tell you the name of every instrument being used.”

  “Do I really have to wear those chinos, polo shirt, and loafers again?” he asked, shuddering. “Those articles of clothing make me feel as though I am going out in public positively undressed!”

  Amelia smiled. “Only if you want to see the birth of our child.”

  “Fair enough, my lady,” he mumbled.

  Arching an eyebrow, his wife remarked, “It is not like I am asking you to wear stays, a petticoat, or any of the layers that I am required to wear on a daily basis.”

  “And I thank you for that,” he joked. “Although, I must admit that I am grateful for your modern medicine to help with our son’s birth.”

  “Careful, my lord,” she murmured. “It almost sounds like you aren’t opposed to our holidays in 2018.”

  Brushing a wisp of hair from her glowing face, Adam said, “I wouldn’t call visiting your doctor a holiday.”

  “I would.” She smiled. “I get to take off these ridiculous clothes…”

  “Which I always welcome.”

  She laughed as he hoped she would. “What I meant was that I get to wear jeans and ride in a cab.”

  “Those metal cars are unusually prompt, but I prefer a carriage,” Adam informed her.

  A young female nurse ran into the room, her eyes appearing frantic. “Lady Harrington,” she proclaimed, breathless. “We need you in the operating room. A child was run over by a carriage and was just brought in.”

  In the blink of an eye, Amelia’s face grew purposeful, and she went into what she described as her ‘doctor mode’. “Thank you, Sarah. Have you alerted Dr. Williams?”

  “We have, and he will be in shortly,” Sarah informed her.

  Waddling over to her desk, Amelia picked up her apron and kissed her husband’s cheek. “Please fetch me in a few ho
urs. I want to eat supper as a family before we go to the Full Moon Ball at Twickenham Manor.”

  “Yes, my love,” he said fondly as he watched his wife leave the room. Adam grabbed his top hat off the coat rack and walked out of his Harrington hospital, knowing his heart was truly full. He allowed Amelia to follow her destiny, and in return, he had a wife who was loved by the entire county for her medical insight and her kind heart. While he was at his meetings, his wife dutifully ran her hospital and saw to Marian’s lessons, which now included a broad range of subjects.

  In their home, they freely expressed themselves, laughed without restraint, and every night, they assembled to eat together as a family. Never had he known such joy in his life, and it had all started because he fell in love with a cheeky, American, time-traveling doctor.

  The End

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  Don’t forget to check out the other books in the Twickenham Time Travel Series:

  — P.S. I Love You by Jo Noelle

  — Love's Past by Laura D. Bastian

  — Against the Magic by Donna K. Weaver

  — Mistletoe Mayhem by Jo Noelle

  — Love Match by Jo Noelle

  — An Unexpected Gentleman by Laura Beers

  — With the Magic by Donna K. Weaver

  — Dating the Duke by Jen Geigle Johnson

  — There's Always Tomorrow by Laura D. Bastian

  — Enchanted Heart by Jaclyn Hardy

  Join the Twickenham Time Travel Facebook Group:

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  Other published stories from Laura Beers

  The Beckett Files Series

  Regency Spy Romances

  Saving Shadow

  A Peculiar Courtship

  To Love a Spy

  A Tangled Ruse

  A Deceptive Bargain

  COMING March 1st- The Baron’s Daughter