He still worried about how he could draw Doc Madison out, since his only source of information was the school teacher. According to Cassidy, she didn’t want to see Madison as her doctor anymore but wouldn’t say why. He hoped this new lead would give him something to go on. A nurse, who once worked for both the Madisons, now taught a class at Female Medical College. His assignment was to interview her and find out anything she knew that might help the case.
His heart skipped a beat at the thought of Cassidy being anywhere near the man while he was away, but he couldn’t do anything until he got back.
Idly, he shuffled the deck of cards, then sensed someone standing over him. He glanced up at a thin, full-bearded man. He looked vaguely familiar, but George couldn’t place him.
“This is my brother, Nate,” one of the other card players, who’d introduced himself as James Bartholomew said. “He sits in on our games when he comes out for a visit.”
The man scowled.
“I seen you in town earlier. You’re staying at the hotel, but I thought I recognized you from somewhere else.” He nodded. “George Masters. I served with you in the 83rd. I done thought the Rebs killed you.”
Oh, hell! Bartholomew had gotten into a fight with him and Josh over a poker game in camp. Although Josh was forever raring for a good fight, George had talked their way out of a brawl. Otherwise the three of them would have landed in the guardhouse. But he also swore he’d seen the man in Burkeville, just hadn’t recalled their past association.
Nate leaned his hand on the table, a slight wobble to his gait. His breath reeked. George turned away to avoid the stench and resumed shuffling cards.
“Can I do something for you?” George asked.
“I see you’re still cheating folks out of their hard earned cash,” Nate slurred.
“You’ve no call to accuse me of that.” George gestured to a chair. “Have a seat and we’ll discuss this like gentlemen.”
“You’re no gentleman, Masters.” Nate waved his hand in the air. “In fact, I think you’re a damn thief!”
Before George could respond, a tavern worker approached and laid a beefy hand on Nate’s shoulder. “Sir, if you could lower your voice.”
Nate shoved the hand away. “I am just stating facts.” He pointed at George. “This man is a thief. You shouldn’t allow him in here.”
George set the cards down and stood, glaring at James. “Reckon you should take your brother outside.”
“C’mon Nate, why don’t you go on home and sleep it off?” James grinned but made no motion to rise.
Nate shoved the table into George, propelling him backward against the wall. The table upended and cards and glasses spilled over the floor. “I want all my money back, Masters.”
“What money?” George raised his hands.
“All the money you stole from me while we were in camp.”
“I won the money fair and square.”
The tavern worker grasped Nate’s shoulder. “Sir, I have to ask you to leave.”
“I will not!” Nate shouted. He pushed back his coat, revealing a revolver at his hip.
The man’s face paled. “Please, sir. You know we don’t allow guns in here.”
James groaned and swiped his hand in the air. “Nate, I told you to go on home.”
Nate ignored his brother and grinned. “So, that means he don’t have a gun?” He motioned to George.
George carried a firearm, because of his profession, but the last thing he wanted was to reveal he had one. “No, I don’t.” He gritted his teeth hoping Nate wasn’t stupid or drunk enough to pull his.
The tavern worker glanced at George, then Nate. “Please, sir. If you have a problem with Mr. Masters you’ll have to settle this elsewhere. Our patrons aren’t allowed to bring weapons in here.”
Nate closed his coat and nodded. “All right, Masters. I’ll wait, but you’d best be on your guard.” His brother rose and grasped Nate’s arm. The pair wobbled out the back door.
“Are you all right, sir?” the tavern worker asked.
“Sure am. He doesn’t bother me. Just drunk is all.” He helped the man set the table back in place.
“I’d be careful when I leave here, sir,” he said. “He may be outside lying in wait. You can go through the tavern and out the front door, if you’d like.”
George nodded. “I’ve dealt with men like him before. His brother likely got him home, or he’s passed out in the back alley.”
“Best be on your guard anyway, sir.”
****
“George, wake up.” George opened his eyes and gasped. Cassidy lay in the bed beside him, her dark hair loose around her shoulders. Her filmy nightgown exposed the creamy swell of her lush breasts.
“What are you doing here?” He stared at her through the dim lantern light. Hadn’t he extinguished it? And how the hell had she gotten in his room anyway?
She leaned down. Her hair tickled his face, smelling of lilac. “I’m getting married,” she whispered.
A low laugh drew his gaze behind her. In the shadows, the form of a man edged forward. Scott Madison stretched out his hand to rest on Cassidy’s shoulder. “She’s mine, Masters. Reckon the best man won.”
George jerked his head back, and they both disappeared. What a horrid dream. He grasped his pillow. He’d turned off the lantern, but pale moonlight revealed an empty room.
He rose and paced, shoving a hand through his hair. As a trained agent, he couldn’t allow his frustration over having to play act in front of the doc and the whole town, get to him. As soon as he could get the proof he needed against Madison, this whole nightmare would be over. He and Cassidy could start over again.
Locating his basin in the pre-dawn light, he poured tepid water from the pitcher and splashed his face. After he’d toweled himself off, he paced until sunlight seeped into his window.
How am I going to catch the bastard without anyone getting hurt?
Chapter Twenty-One
Scott dined alone at the tavern Thursday evening. He’d asked Miss Stuart to join him, but she claimed to be otherwise engaged. And he knew why. Tillie told him Mrs. Bigsley had seen Miss Stuart and Mr. Masters by the pond having a picnic last Saturday. And Miss Stuart had never said a word. According to Tillie, Masters had the audacity to lean over and kiss her. Tillie knew Scott had been courting her and feared Miss Stuart was deceiving him.
He assured Tillie Miss Stuart was through with Masters but caught the knowing smirk on the housemaid’s thin lips. The bitch! Perhaps he should think of dismissing her and hiring someone younger.
His thoughts strayed to the schoolteacher. An image of her ivory skin and golden hair caused an erotic throbbing in his groin. He grimaced. He’d deal with those urges later, in the privacy of his room.
Weeks had passed since his encounter with the lovely teacher, and Miss Stuart seemed to be stringing him along. And now she cavorted with Masters.
He sliced off a hunk of beef and raised the morsel to his mouth. He nibbled, musing how he’d love to have both women tied down, at his mercy. He’d have his fill again and again, then when done, he’d dispose of them both.
The waitress approached, distracting him. Her dark-eyed gaze settled on his plate. “Have you had enough, Doc? You hardly touched your beef?”
He glanced down at the juicy hunk before him, then back up. The waitress had a beautiful smile and a plump, voluptuous shape.
But alas, she was married to the tavern owner. The beefy man would have Scott’s hide if he so much as made an improper gesture to his wife.
“My dear, could I trouble you to bring me a bottle of bourbon?”
She smiled and nodded, ambling away. He studied her posterior. He’d have to console himself with liquor tonight.
****
Cassidy tossed and turned, her mind on George and his betrayal. She slid from her bed, lit the lantern, then descended the stairs. She crept to the kitchen and gasped. A shadowy figure sat at the table.
A lanter
n illuminated the table top, revealing Quinn. His face lay in the shadows.
“Quinn, what’s wrong? Couldn’t you sleep either?” She set down her lantern and joined him at the table.
He grinned. “Just not used to this house again, I reckon.” His gaze held hers. “What about you?”
“Been thinking too much on my future.” She leaned on her elbows. “Tell me, when were you planning to visit the hospital in Philadelphia?”
“Tomorrow.” He frowned. “Why?”
“I think I’d like to go with you, if it’s all right.”
He shrugged. “Fine by me. You can put the few patients you have on hold. In case of an emergency, Madison could see them.”
“If just for a few days, I reckon it would be all right.” She bit her lip. “I don’t like giving Madison any more business though.”
She straightened her shoulders, feeling giddy. “We could tour the Female Medical College.”
“Excellent idea, Sis.” He beamed. “And while we’re there, we’ll spend a little time digging up Madison’s past.”
She smiled. “We don’t need George to find out what we need to know.”
“Well...” Quinn sat back and lifted his hands behind his head, “if we can dig up anything on Madison while we’re in the city, you’ll be doing old George a favor.”
She scowled. “If he comes back.”
“Sorry, Sis. Didn’t mean to bring up old wounds.”
Cassidy sighed. “I’m beginning to hope he never returns.”
****
Scott retreated to his room cradling the bottle of bourbon. All day he’d gone over in his mind ways to make things right with Miss Stuart, but the thought of her with Masters enraged him. The bitch had ruined his plans. If she and her brother reopened the Stuart practice, more than a few of his patients might move back. And where would that leave him?
So for tonight, he’d drink himself into a stupor. Maybe in the morning, he could come up with a plan. His one other option, move on to another small town and start over.
The bourbon warmed him but didn’t ease his agitation. The image of Miss Stuart and how he’d love to make her pay ate at him. He’d start by ripping off every stitch of clothing and showing her what a man could give her. Then he’d beat her black and blue, so she’d never dare defy him again.
Oh, yes, he’d love to keep her locked up all to himself.
As the bourbon worked its way down his gullet, he warmed to the idea of taking Miss Stuart for his. Lying on his bed, he stroked his groin, imagining her sweet ivory skin pressed against him as she begged him to take her again and again.
In the vision, he gave her what she wanted, long and hard, until she gasped for him to stop. Then he slapped her. Over and over, until she cowered, begging him to stop hurting her.
He took another swig from his bottle, spilling a good portion on the quilt covering his mattress. He ached to go to the Stuart home and take her now. But he had to bide his time. He’d come for her after he had time to conceive the perfect plan.
****
Cassidy finished cleaning the exam room after the last patient, Mrs. Ames, left. She had no one else scheduled today, so planned to wash and start packing for the trip to Philadelphia. She opened the door and stepped into the hall.
“Oh, Cassie, there you are.” Her mother caught her gaze. “Would you have time to see one more patient before you close for today?”
“I suppose, who is it?”
“Miss Baker. She’s not feeling very well.”
Cassidy raised her brows. “Of course, Ma. Show her right in.” She retreated back into the exam room and waited.
“She’s right in there,” her mother said from the hall.
Miss Baker poked her head inside, a shy smile flitting across her face.
“Come in, Miss Baker.” Cassidy motioned to the exam table. “What seems to be the problem?”
The teacher settled herself on the table and coughed into her gloved hand. “I’ve been feeling a bit poorly, Doctor Cassie. Might be something I caught from a student.”
Cassidy frowned. “It’s quite possible. Let me take a look.” She lifted the jar of tongue depressors and fished one out.
“I’m so sorry I came unexpected. Your mother said you were closing for the day.”
Cassidy grimaced. “Seems I’ve been closing early a lot. Dr. Madison now has a monopoly on most of the patients.”
She noted Miss Baker’s indrawn breath at the mention of Madison.
“Open wide,” she said.
The teacher complied. Afterward, she felt her glands.
Miss Baker’s gaze followed her every move. “What’s wrong with me? Is it serious?”
“No, of course not.” Cassidy smiled. “You have some minor redness on your throat, nothing more. I’ll give you some cough elixir, and I want you to get extra rest.”
“Yes, Doctor.”
Cassidy cleared her throat. “Dr. Madison has asked permission to court me, but I’m not quite sure about him. Tell me, what did you think of him when he treated your arm?”
Miss Baker stiffened. “You shouldn’t allow him to court you.”
Cassidy frowned. “Why not?”
“There are things about him no one in town knows.”
“What kind of things?” Cassidy held her gaze.
She shook her head. “I can’t...”
Cassidy grasped the teacher’s slim shoulders. “Did he hurt you?”
“No, I can’t...”
“Cassie?” A male voice called from the hall. The door opened a crack. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s safe to come in, Quinn.” Cassidy sighed and motioned to her brother. With the sudden interruption, she hardly expected Miss Baker to reveal anything. “We’re about finished up in here.”
Quinn opened the door wide. “Miss Baker, what a pleasure to see you again.”
The teacher nodded and ducked her head. “Good to see you as well, Doctor.”
He stepped into the room. “I didn’t know Cassie had any patients scheduled this afternoon.”
“I didn’t.” She glanced at the teacher. “Miss Baker’s feeling poorly.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, ma’am,” Quinn said.
“Just a little sore throat,” Cassidy explained. “Nothing some cough elixir and a little rest won’t cure.”
Quinn smiled. Miss Baker beamed in return. At this point Cassidy felt a little extraneous.
“I suppose I should be on my way.” The teacher slid from the table and accepted the bottle of cough elixir Cassidy held out. “I don’t want to hold you two up. You must have tons of work to do if you’re going to reestablish your father’s practice.”
Though she’d spoken to them both, Cassidy couldn’t help but catch the batting of eyelashes in her brother’s direction.
“Not at all, Miss Baker,” Cassidy said. “You’re welcome here any time. And if I’m not here, I’m sure my brother can see you.”
The teacher’s cheeks colored.
“Thank you both.”
After she left the room, Cassidy caught her brother’s gaze.
“I’m trying to get her to admit to what Madison did to her. I’m afraid George’s suspicions are right. The weasel hurt her, and now she’s either too embarrassed or too scared to talk about what happened.”
“Then what’ll we do?” Quinn quirked a brow.
She bit her lip. “Maybe...” She paced the small room. “Maybe...”
“Maybe what?” Quinn spread his hands.
“Well...” She glanced at her brother, then to the open door leading to the hall. “She seems to like you. Maybe you should court her, and she’ll open up.”
He shook his head. “I’m not sure...”
“You like her, don’t you?” She tilted her head. “What could a little flirtation hurt? After we get back from Philadelphia, why don’t you take her to the ice cream parlor?”
He grinned. “You sure?”
“As I said, what co
uld it hurt?” She turned to the wash pan and scrubbed her hands. “I’ve got to get to my room and pack.”
****
Cassidy shifted in her seat as the train chugged across the countryside. Beside her, Quinn sat reading the newspaper oblivious of the changing landscape, but she couldn’t take her gaze from the scenery passing by. She hadn’t traveled beyond town since the war. After she’d come down with quinsy throat, Pa had sent her home to recover. Since then, she hadn’t been outside of Burkeville.
When they arrived at the station, Quinn collected their bags and led her through city streets. Six years ago, in Washington, many of the streets had been unfinished, and the city resembled a vast military camp. She marveled at the tall buildings in the central part of Philadelphia, packed so close together.
Quinn dropped their baggage to the ground and hailed a coach. After hoisting Cassidy to her seat, he settled beside her. “Not like our little town.”
“No. It’s rather exciting being in a big city. I envy you attending medical school here.”
“We’ll get a hotel room near the Female Medical College. It’s on Arch Street.” He leaned over to ask the driver where he could find a room.
“I know just the place, sir,” the man assured him.
Leaning back, Quinn squeezed Cassidy’s hand. “If you’d like, we’ll arrange for a tour of the college after we settle in.”
She nodded. Glancing out the window, she focused on the trolleys, carriages, and pedestrians. The narrow streets and attached rows of brick and stone houses seemed to caress her. She wouldn’t mind living in a big city like this. And if she liked the college, perhaps she could apply.
Friday afternoon, Cassidy stood beside Quinn in the hall of the Female Medical College. A dark-haired woman escort, who introduced herself as Mrs. Simmons, motioned them to follow.
“Well, Sis, what do you think so far?”
“This is marvelous! I’d love to be a student here.”
She grasped her brother’s arm as the escort led them through classrooms and patient rooms where students learned to care for the sick and injured.
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