Destinations

by Murray, Tamela Hancock

  “Very well. By Dr. Amory’s leave, I will commission your cousin.”

  “I assure you, my cousin’s personal reputation is impeccable.”

  Lavonia wondered why the vicar’s voice was laden with strong overtones of intrigue. It is almost as if he doesn’t trust the good doctor. What is it about Dr. Amory that no one will discuss? Perhaps the noon meal will prove a good time to unravel the mystery.

  three

  Lavonia placed a pink rose in the crystal bud vase on Kath-erine’s luncheon tray. A whiff of soft fragrance brought a smile to her face. “The gardens are so beautiful this year, Betsy.”

  “That they are, Miss Penn.” The stout cook lifted the top of a large cast iron pot simmering over the fire. After inspecting its contents, she whisked a large wooden spoon through them twice before returning the lid to its position. “ ‘Tis a pity Miss Katherine can’t be outside to enjoy ’em.” She gazed out of the window, a look of longing on her sweaty face. “I wonder how she endures it, closed up in that dark room as she is.”

  “Miss Katherine considers the darkness a blessing rather than a curse.”

  “Poor Miss Katherine.” Betsy eyed the tray. “Would you have me call Lucy to take the tray up?”

  Lavonia picked up the tray. Discovering it wasn’t heavy, she shook her head. “No, thank you, Betsy. I can manage.”

  The older woman cast Lavonia a look filled with doubt. Nevertheless, she acquiesced with a gentle, “Yes, mum.”

  Lavonia’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the doctor’s melodic voice from Katherine’s room. She paused for a second, readying herself to enter. Helen was certain to scold her for bringing the meal while the doctor was still with his new patient, but Lavonia didn’t care. “I just have to know what he thinks of her condition,” Lavonia appeased her conscience. She didn’t want to admit, even to herself, that she might have other motives.

  “I have your tray, Kitty.” Lavonia kept her voice cheerful as she entered the sick room.

  “Could it not have waited until Dr. Amory left?” Helen asked.

  “That is quite all right, Mrs. Syms. My visit with Miss Penn is complete.” Dr. Amory gave Lavonia a look of kindness.

  “Is it time for luncheon already? What did you bring?” Katherine asked.

  “Roasted leg of mutton, new white potatoes, and green beans fresh from the garden.” Lavonia smiled.

  “Sounds delicious!” Dr. Amory said to Katherine.

  Giving Lavonia a brief nod, he moved to his right to allow Lavonia access to the side of the bed. As he shifted his position, Lavonia inhaled the masculine scent of his skin, sweetened with a spicy bay rum. She wished she could linger near him, enjoying his luscious aroma. Yet Helen’s disapproving stare, visible even from her position at the foot of the bed, impeded Lavonia from such indulgence.

  Trying to keep her voice casual, Lavonia noted, “It is well you should think the meal delicious, Dr. Amory. If I am not mistaken, our host has made plans to extend you an invitation to dine with us.” Fearing what Helen might think of the offer, Lavonia held her gaze to the doctor’s face rather than seeking her cousin’s affirmation.

  “You can have my portion, then,” Katherine said, grimacing as she surveyed her plate. “I fear I cannot stomach anything so heavy as mutton.”

  Lavonia set the tray on her sister’s lap. “I know it is hard for you to eat when you suffer so. But perhaps something here will tempt you. Will you not try to eat something, Kitty dear?”

  “For you, I might try, Vonnie.”

  “Pet names from childhood?” Dr. Amory asked.

  “Yes. And no one else calls us that. Is that not right, Vonnie?” Katherine asked in a pointed tone.

  Dr. Amory raised his eyebrows. “It is good to see two sisters so close when many of my patients bicker among their families. I wonder if too much vigorous debate contributes to a plethora of maladies.”

  “Dr. Amory has some interesting theories,” Helen remarked.

  “Helen has been telling me how brilliant you are, Dr. Amory,” Lavonia said. “She has me convinced you are the only doctor alive who can cure Katherine.”

  “I surmise Miss Penn would not care to be cured by a doctor who is dead,” quipped the lively Dr. Amory.

  “Please take this food away—the smell of it turns my stomach,” Katherine answered, not bothering to conceal her irritability.

  “You will have to excuse my sister. Her headaches leave her in a poor temper.” Lavonia turned to Katherine. “You must eat something to keep up your strength. Let us go now.”

  “I will eat more if you stay with me,” Katherine coaxed.

  “Perhaps that is a good idea,” Helen said.

  “Miss Penn is not suffering from malnutrition. She need not eat more than is agreeable,” the doctor said. “If you do not wish to eat alone, Miss Penn, I recommend you join the party downstairs.”

  Katherine’s eyes narrowed. “No, thank you. I am quite comfortable here.”

  “Very well.” The doctor motioned Lavonia and Helen to join him as he exited.

  “You will not stay with me, Vonnie?” Katherine pleaded.

  Unable to resist her soulful cry, Lavonia glanced upon the doctor with a wordless entreaty. Instead, the lips that had seemed so full moments before straightened into a firm line as he gave her a curt shake of the head.

  “I must go, Kitty,” Lavonia answered. “I shall return soon.” Ignoring Kitty’s pout, Lavonia closed the door behind her. The doctor had already begun his brisk walk toward the staircase. Lavonia strode to match his pace. “Why did you force me to be so cruel to her?”

  As his lips tightened into an even more defiant line, Helen answered, “The doctor knows best, Lavonia.”

  Dr. Amory’s eyes inclined toward Helen as if to express his gratitude in her confidence.

  Frustrated, Lavonia pursued her inquiries as soon as they reached the bottom of the steps. “There was no reason for me to be unkind, Doctor.” Lavonia felt her face flush with anger.

  “Your sister says she has suffered headaches most of her life,” the doctor stated.

  Lavonia nodded. “They worsened when Father first be-came ill. Ever since Mama’s death, they have kept her nearly bedridden.”

  His eyes focused on the massive double doors leading to the foyer. A soft sunbeam entering from the window illuminated his face. Lavonia marveled upon his smooth yet robust skin. Seeming not to notice Lavonia’s admiration, he mused, “I wonder how your sister feels about your plans to go to America.”

  Helen intervened. “I should think Katherine would be happy for Lavonia to live out her dreams.”

  With a sharp motion, he turned to Helen. “Undoubtedly. Mrs. Syms, would you be so kind as to see that Miss Penn has a fresh pitcher of water in her room? It seemed a bit low, I observed.”

  “Indeed? But I just—”

  “Please, Mrs. Syms.”

  Helen shot them a withering look before leaving on her directed errand. Dr. Amory motioned Lavonia to the parlor. Sensing the discussion would be brief, Lavonia did not seat herself on either mahogany chair occupying the room.

  “About your plans, Miss Penn, how much does your sister know?”

  “Why, everything, of course.”

  “And she does not mind you leaving her for America?”

  “We have expressed how much we will miss each other, but she has given me no indication she does not want me to go.”

  The doctor looked doubtful. “Has she not? She seems quite possessive of you.”

  “Possessive? I have never noticed such.”

  “You are so close to her. I am not surprised you are not able to see her clearly.”

  Lavonia’s eyes narrowed at the impact of his words. “Are you suggesting Katherine is pretending to have headaches to keep me here?”

  “Surely she must rue the day you will depart. I suspect she has no one else to care for her when she is ill,” he said. “Or at least, no one else would be nearly as attentive to her.”r />
  Lavonia’s mouth tightened with anger. “I am disappointed in you, Dr. Amory. I was led to believe you are not a charlatan!”

  “A charlatan?”

  “Several doctors have told us headaches are an imaginary ailment of rich women who simply want to retire to their bedchambers. I assure you, Dr. Amory, contrary to what the medical profession thinks, women do not pretend to have headaches!” Lavonia’s heart was thumping with fury.

  “I beg your pardon, Miss Penn. It was not my intention to incite you. Despite what you think, I agree with your assessment of the medical profession’s opinion.” His rational demeanor contrasted wildly with her fury.

  “So you say,” she hissed.

  “I surmise Miss Penn’s other doctors feel as helpless to heal her as I do. Is it not easier to dismiss a charge when the situation seems hopeless?”

  Lavonia let out a weary sigh. “Then even you think it is hopeless.”

  “Perhaps not entirely, at least not in your sister’s case. Unlike some of the other doctors you have visited, I do not think she feigns headaches. In an odd way, she may actually welcome the pain.”

  Lavonia did not bother to conceal her disgust. “That is absurd. If that is your best diagnosis, then I should never have agreed to let Katherine see you.”

  “My theory is not so preposterous when you consider how much attention you give her when she is ill.”

  “Of course I give her attention when she is ill. It is not her fault she cannot function when she is sick.” Lavonia tilted her chin defiantly.

  “You know your sister better than I. Perhaps she is trying to foster a sense of responsibility to keep you tied to her.”

  “Dr. Amory, I assure you, my sister is not manipulating me!”

  He arched one eyebrow. “Then perhaps, I should say, Ce que je lui reproche, c’est sa paresse.”

  Lavonia reflexively rose to her sister’s defense. “I beg your pardon! My sister is not lazy!”

  “So she has accomplished much today while lying in bed?”

  Lavonia’s inability to dispute his point only fueled her anger. “Dr. Amory, Katherine and I have been reviled by our share of doctors, but I have never been offended so blatantly! Accusing my sister of ulterior motives, indeed! And to think only a few moments ago, I thought you rather dashing!” Lifting her skirt ever so slightly with a quick motion to emphasize her rage, Lavonia turned to exit. Before she reached the doorway, the doctor’s voice stopped her.

  “If you do intend to work on the mission field, Miss Penn, I recommend you review the Scriptures on control of the tongue.”

  Turning her head in his direction, she saw a look of amusement on his countenance that made her huff with exasperation. “I assure you, Dr. Amory, I am controlling my tongue! Good day!”

  Lavonia’s heels clacked on the wood floor as she rapidly made her way to the dining room. How could the doctor insult my sister and then me as well? I wish I had never suggested he be included in the luncheon. I suppose it is too much to hope he will have the good manners to decline!

  To Lavonia’s regret, Dr. Amory appeared at the table. Helen had already arranged Lavonia to be seated beside him and across from Vicar Gladstone. “I wish Katherine felt better,” Helen whispered to Lavonia. “Without her, the number of settings at my table is uneven.”

  “Perhaps she will feel better tomorrow.”

  “What good is tomorrow? I doubt the vicar and the doctor will be dining with us then.”

  They were interrupted by the vicar. “Will you allow me to lead all of us in prayer before we commence our meal?”

  “I was just about to beg the favor,” Luke answered.

  Pushing his chair back, Osmond stood and cleared his throat. When he spoke, his voice rang throughout the house. “Our dear Father in heaven, I thank You that we who are privileged to dine at this fine table are blessed with peerless cuisine and the exalted company of the most upstanding people in our noble society. We are supremely grateful that in Your indisputable wisdom, You see fit to bless Your most up-standing servants with all of life’s ephemeral pleasures. Should any among us suffer some untoward blemish, we thank You for the opportunity to dine among them, the sinners, following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

  Surveying the party at the table, the vicar gave each one a satisfied look before returning to his seat.

  “It is not often I have the opportunity to hear one pray in the true spirit of the Pharisees,” Dr. Amory whispered to Lavonia.

  Lavonia’s lips curled at his levity in spite of her best efforts to stay mad at the doctor. “I think Vicar Gladstone is unlike most of the clergy.”

  “Let us hope so.”

  Oblivious to their remarks, Luke said, “Thank you, Osmond. Such prayers are certain to assure your place in London.”

  “You are seeking a London parish?” Dr. Amory asked.

  “Such matters were not intended for public consumption, but certainly I can trust you to keep the confidence, Dr. Amory.” Though his words conveyed conviction, the vicar’s tone of voice betrayed that he wasn’t sure he trusted the doctor.

  “I beg your pardon, Osmond,” Luke apologized. “I did not mean to violate a confidence.”

  The vicar waved his hand dismissively as he went on. “Since I have had the honor of serving this parish for two years, I feel the time has arrived for me to seek a larger church. London should serve my purposes quite well.”

  “Speaking of London, did you know we have relations there?” Helen asked. “In fact, we received a letter from our dear Aunt Amelia only today.”

  “How lovely. I trust she is doing well?”

  Helen nodded to Lavonia. “Would you wish to share Aunt Amelia’s letter with us, Lavonia?”

  Lavonia acquiesced and withdrew the letter from her pocket. As always, her aunt’s correspondence was written upon heavy linen paper, the color of ivory. Lavish handwriting, dotted with curly strokes and bold flourishes, conveyed her message in black india ink.

  My dear nieces:

  How lovely is this year’s social season! I have already attended two prestigious events, and the season is still young. The first was a ball held to announce the Thorn-dike/Upton engagement. This marriage will unite two of London’s premiere families. The Thorndikes own several properties and have made their fortune conducting business of some sort in India. And of course, the Uptons have connections to royalty. So as you can surmise, their wedding is certain to be the social event of next season.

  And that is only the beginning! Last Saturday night, a cotillion was held at the Marshall residence. There were over two hundred people in attendance, although naturally, only people of wealth and stature were invited to this event. You should have been there to hear the fifty-piece orchestra. They played encores until dawn. And what a fabulous banquet! Space does not permit me to list every foodstuff available there, but I did most enjoy the roasted pheasant, lobster bisque, and oyster soup. And so many varieties of cakes and pastries! I fear I might have overindulged, but what is life if not to enjoy?

  Indeed, I would love nothing more than to host my own gala in the near future. I keep telling myself that I should gather the servants, set a date, and plan a good menu. But I never seem to do so. Of course, you might ask, “Why can you not sit back and let the servants do all the work, Aunt? After all, do you not deserve to rest at your advanced age?” But deserving or not, I am aware of the folly of entrusting a social event of such magnitude to the servants when expectations run high. I dare not disappoint! So I procrastinate.

  But what sport is procrastination! We are enjoying a Shakespearean revival here. I do believe I have seen most of his plays within the past year, even those of the more obscure variety. I hold tickets for the Wednesday evening performance of “Hamlet” and am eager to attend the performance with the Snidewells. Naturally, I need not tell even you who the Snidewells are.

  Afternoons with the Snidewells on their country estate are met with great anticipation. Certainly y
our father has mentioned the Snidewells. They made their fortune in horse breeding. A Snidewell horse is the most desirable in London society. Invitations to their intimate affairs are extended only to their dearest friends, which of course, includes myself. Though I sometimes become a bit tired, I am loathe to disappoint so I make certain to appear when summoned.

  The servant has rung the bell for afternoon tea, so I shall close.

  As Always,

  Aunt Amelia

  Folding the letter, Lavonia restrained herself from commenting upon its blatant boasting and that it never asked after its recipients.

  The vicar didn’t seem to notice any breach of etiquette. “Your aunt is acquainted with so many upstanding families. What a fine person she must be, indeed!”

  “We believe so, though we may be a bit partial,” Helen answered.

  “Her letter suggests she may already be acquainted with my future parishioners. Perhaps I might call upon her during my next visit to London?” The vicar seemed to salivate at the prospect.

  “I am certain she would be honored to be visited by our vicar,” Luke said before casting his gaze to Lavonia. “Oui?”

  Lavonia wasn’t sure how her aunt would react to a visit from the vicar despite their shared worldliness. “Her letters always indicate she keeps a full calendar. She may be difficult to reach at home.”

  The vicar’s mouth turned down into a sour expression, but to Lavonia’s relief, he didn’t press the point. Instead, he turned to Luke and began talking. “I’ve done quite a job, if I do say so myself, here in Dover. My parishioners seem well pleased with my sermons.”

  As the vicar’s conversation faded from her attention, Lavonia cut her glance to the doctor. Since he seemed en-grossed in the others’ discourse at the far end of the table, she allowed her stare to linger upon him. A straight nose and chiseled chin gave him a sharp and distinguished profile. She soon forgot her anger with him and found herself fantasizing what her days would be like if she could look upon such a comely face forever.