by Jillian Kent
“Now, yer ladyships,” Edna directed. “Ye can go upstairs and have a rest. It’ll take me a bit o’ time to prepare the meal I’ll be feeding ye, but I know ye’ll like it.”
Madeline smiled. “Mrs. Hogarth, you are very gracious. It is extremely rude of us to impose on you.”
“Bah! ’Tis no bother at all. Agnes and I will visit in the kitchen while I cook after she helps ye out o’ those lovely dresses. The first room at the top o’ the stairs to yer right is open and ready for com pany. Make yerselves comfortable.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hogarth. That sounds wonderful,” Hally said.
The two friends climbed the steps with Agnes lumbering behind them to the second floor where they entered a bright, cheerful yellow room. The window was open, and the curtains puffed out from the light breeze as though friendly arms reached toward them in welcome.
“This is delightful,” Madeline said.
“Now let me get both of ye out of these fine walking dresses before you take a rest. It wouldn’t do to appear in public all wrinkled. I’ll help ye dress when dinner’s ready.” Agnes swiftly completed her duties and left the room.
Madeline sat down on one of the two single beds and unlaced her shoes until she could slide out her stocking-covered feet. “Ah, that feels better,” she said, rubbing her toes. “My feet were almost numb from walking.”
Hally sat on the other bed, massaging her temples. “Ecstasy, it’s pure ecstasy, to stretch out for even a few moments.”
“Your head aches. You’ve been putting on a brave front for me. You shouldn’t have, Hally. I’m so sorry.”
“Rubbish. Nothing a few moments of rest won’t cure.”
“Just the same, I don’t want you overdoing it on my behalf,” Madeline protested. “You must rest.”
“It will take time to prepare dinner for unexpected guests,” Hally said, closing her eyes. “But Mrs. Hogarth seems to be up for the challenge.”
“Not too long, I hope. I’m starving,” Madeline said, and quickly removed her stockings.
Hally yawned. “You must be catching my appetite.”
“You are a bad influence.” Madeline laughed. And she too stretched out on her bed, relishing the respite after a busy afternoon of shopping.
Devlin and Melton walked up the steps of the Blue Swan and opened the door, stepping into the entryway. The aroma of Mrs. Hogarth’s cooking filled the air. “Dinner smells better than usual, and usual is excellent.” Exhausted and rattled by the events at the asylum, Devlin looked forward to a nourishing, well-cooked meal.
Melton sniffed the air. “Fresh bread, beef, and roasting pheasant if I’m not mistaken. I’m ravenous.”
Edna and Agnes came out of the kitchen, their arms filled with dishes and silverware. “Look what the wind’s chased in, Agnes,” Edna said, rushing into the dining room. “I’ll wager yer stomachs are clamorin’ up a storm.”
“We cannot disagree,” Devlin said. “It appears you are expecting more guests tonight.”
“Agnes, this is Lord Ravensmoore and Mr. Melton from the hospital. Gentlemen, me sister, the widow Agnes Moss.”
“Why, Lord Ravensmoore,” Agnes said in surprise, dropping several pieces of silverware as she attempted to curtsy. “Wasn’t ye the one who attended my Lady Madeline the day she fell at the hunt?”
“It was me, Mrs. Moss. How did you know?”
“I’m in service at Richfield. I was there the day ye brought her home.”
“How is Lady Madeline?”
“Oh, she’s much better, she’s—” Agnes was unable to finish due to a discreet, but well-placed elbow in the ribs delivered by her sister.
Devlin caught the exchange and wondered what they were up to.
Edna picked up where Agnes had left off, albeit somewhat awkwardly. “Agnes just came from shoppin’ with Lady Gilling and Lady Madeline. It would seem that both the ladies are indebted to ye again, and to Mr. Melton as well. Will Mr. Melton be stayin’ for dinner?”
Melton grinned. “I’d consider it an honor. Ravensmoore constantly has my mouth watering regarding your expert culinary skills, madam.”
“If it’s not imposing on you and your sister’s special plans for the evening,” Devlin said.
“I insist,” Edna said. “Yer friend is most welcome.”
Melton and Devlin wearily climbed the stairs to his room to clean up after the grueling day. Devlin splashed water out of a blue flowered pitcher and into a basin and then cupped his hands to scoop the water over his face. Devlin’s thoughts returned to Madeline. The idea that he might gain some information about her from Mrs. Moss made him smile in anticipation of the evening meal.
“Are you thinking about a certain woman or dinner?” Melton asked, flicking him playfully with a towel. “I’ll wager it’s the woman.”
“And you’d win that wager, my friend. I imagine I should visit Lady Madeline and check on her.”
“Not without me, you won’t. Besides, I get the distinct feeling that you are interested in the woman for reasons outside the medical profession.”
Devlin raised a brow but made no response. He removed his shirt and set about looking for something proper to wear for dinner.
“You’ll need a clean shirt, Melton. Feel welcome to rummage around and see what you might like. Please excuse me; I will return in a moment.”
Devlin discovered that he’d made a friend after their mutual experience at the asylum. Charles Melton seemed to genuinely enjoy his company. Devlin wasn’t quite sure why, but he suspected Melton’s status as the second son of an earl may have something to do with it. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that Devlin had been in the same position.
He opened the door and headed across the hall to the privy. This was definitely one of the disadvantages of living at the Blue Swan, he thought with dismay. The plumbing at Ravensmoore was of a far better quality. Of course he could always purchase a town house, but that seemed like needless waste.
He put his hand on the doorknob of the privy when the door was suddenly flung open and the object of his thoughts stepped into the hallway, glowing with indignation and then realization.
“Lady Madeline! Forgive me. What are you doing here?”
Madeline blushed to the roots of her hair. She wrestled with the neckline of the dress apparently donned hastily. “If you must ask that question, you will not make a very good doctor. Do turn around, Lord Ravensmoore. It is most impolite to stare at a lady’s bare feet.”
“Of course. How thoughtless. I didn’t mean…” He turned around, felt her brush past him, and then heard a door slam farther down the hall. She was gone.
Devlin stood there for a moment wondering if he’d just seen Lady Madeline. Perhaps all those long hours at the hospital were causing him to hallucinate. Then a grin spread across his face, and he chuckled. Indeed, he had seen her and her lovely feet. She was here! He didn’t know how or why. It didn’t matter. He knew that dinner was not going to be ordinary. Lady Madeline was many things, but ordinary was not one of them.
CHAPTER 9
The world is all gates, all opportunities,
strings of tension waiting to be struck.
—RALPH WALDO EMERSON
WHEN DEVLIN AND Melton entered the dining room, Devlin’s eyes locked on Madeline’s. She looked beautiful in a rose-colored walking dress. Hazel eyes flashed anger or embarrassment, or perhaps both.
“Lady Madeline, it is an unexpected and very pleasant surprise to see you here at the Blue Swan,” he said, bowing low. “You have met Mr. Melton, a colleague of mine from the hospital.”
Melton bowed as well. “A pleasure to see you again, Lady Madeline. And you, Countess. A pleasure indeed.”
Mrs. Hogarth bustled in with a steaming platter of pheasant and vegetables. “Well, don’t stand there all night gapin’ at the ladies! Sit down, gentlemen. I’ve prepared a feast fit for the Prince Regent himself.” The men seated themselves across from the women, and Mrs. Hogarth served each of them
and then settled the platter on the sideboard.
“If it tastes as good as it looks, I may have to take up boarding here too, Mrs. Hogarth,” Melton said. “This is far better than living above the Grey Fox Inn.”
“Just let me know when you’d like to move in, Mr. Melton.” Mrs. Hogarth smiled broadly. “Now, eat up before it gets cold. I’ll be right back with more victuals,” she said and left the room.
“And how are you ladies this fine evening?” Devlin asked. “No ill effects from yesterday’s mishap, I hope.”
Madeline replied, “Lady Gilling has been fighting off an awful headache most of the day. However, she put on a brave face. I did not realize it until we arrived here.”
“It is much improved since I rested,” Hally assured them. “No need to fuss.”
A shadow of concern passed over Melton’s features. “Still, I would feel better if you would permit me to talk with you further about the pain after dinner.”
“Of course, if you think it necessary, Mr. Melton. Now, let’s enjoy this unexpected time together.”
Madeline looked directly at Devlin. “Do you mind if I ask you a question, Lord Ravensmoore?”
“Not at all,” he replied.
“How did you meet Dr. Langford?”
Devlin’s heart jumped. No turning back. “He is my instructor, a very skilled physician and surgeon.”
“But why is he here in York? Where does he come from?”
“He cares about the education of new doctors, so like some of his colleagues, he visits different areas of the country from time to time to teach and help those of us learn more about special areas in medicine. He actually spends most of his time between London and York. He has a home in York and a town house in London when he is there for teaching purposes at the Royal College of Physicians.”
“I see.”
Madeline seemed to be thinking something through, and Devlin was afraid he knew what that something was. Why did Langford leave me alone with her father?
Silence grew.
“Do you have other family, Lord Ravensmoore?” Hally asked.
Grateful for the question, he gathered his jumbled thoughts. “I have two younger sisters at home, Countess. My parents are deceased, and my brother, Edward, died in a shipwreck along with my father, leaving me as heir.”
“I am so sorry,” Hally said.
“Why did you return to your studies, sir?” Madeline asked, a frown creasing her forehead. “It must be very difficult with your many responsibilities.”
Melton grinned mischievously, raised a brow, and looked at Devlin. “Ravensmoore is a gentleman of many talents. One being to challenge our teacher whenever the opportunity presents itself.”
Devlin explained, “Dr. Langford does not approve of my desire to practice medicine. He would prefer I use my funds to help the college in the training of new physicians. As a man of science, he does not understand the calling that God has placed in my heart.”
“Why do you persist?” Madeline asked, then took a sip of her tea.
“I believe the good Lord put us on this earth to fulfill a purpose, Lady Madeline, a mission of sorts. And although I’m painfully aware that most of my peers disagree vehemently with my plans to be a physician, I believe being born into wealth is no excuse to ignore my calling.”
She studied him silently. He wondered if she laughed at him from behind her composed expression.
“It must be very difficult for you to be snubbed by your peers,” Madeline said.
Her remark surprised him. “You grow used to it, eventually.”
He watched a shadow of sadness pass over her face. Devlin hoped the subject had not caused her undue stress. He feared at any moment that she might ask him questions about Langford and about her father’s death.
Agnes entered the room with hot bread and a platter of beef. Devlin was grateful for the interruption, enticing them into other subjects of a less volatile nature. Mrs. Hogarth followed with another pot of tea.
“This pot of tea is for ye, Countess. ’Tis willow bark and will help the ache in yer head.”
“Would you agree with that, Mr. Melton?” Hally said, lifting the cup to her lips.
“It certainly cannot hurt. Many teas are medicinal. We probably don’t know the extent of their abilities yet.”
Agnes disappeared into the kitchen and returned with an overflowing bowl of boiled potatoes. “I told ye she was a grand cook,” Agnes said proudly.
Mrs. Hogarth glowed with appreciation. “I don’t believe in coincidences. ’Tis fate what brought us together this night. Ye mark my words, this is not the last night ye four young people will be together. Enjoy yerselves, now. I’ll come check on ye shortly.”
The sisters returned to the kitchen, but just before the door shut they all heard Mrs. Hogarth say, “What handsome couples they make.”
An embarrassed silence filled the room, and then Melton burst out laughing. “Does anyone else think those two are up to some matchmaking scheme?”
“It couldn’t be more obvious,” Hally said in agreement. “What should we do?”
“Nothing,” Madeline said. “I’ll have a serious discussion with Agnes. I had no idea her sister was so bold. She’s gone a bit too far.”
“I think the two of them have good intentions,” Devlin said. He raised his glass. “Let’s have a toast. May the Lord bless us all and those less fortunate with health and happiness.”
The others echoed his words and raised their glasses. He noticed that Madeline’s smile did not extend to her eyes.
The dinner continued with pleasant conversation. Devlin convinced himself he was under some kind of spell that made it impossible not to stare at Madeline. Never before had a woman fascinated him as she did, charming one moment and suspicious the next. A complex female.
Agnes and Edna appeared with a delicious-looking apple pie and a bowl of clotted cream. “I hope each of ye enjoyed yer dinner,” Edna said.
There was a chorus of cheers, applause, and good wishes. A blush rose in Edna’s cheeks, and both women glowed with pleasure.
“I told ye she was a wonderful cook,” Agnes repeated with pride. “We’ve been havin’ a grand visit, but I suppose we should be leavin’ soon.”
“Nonsense. What’s the difficulty in staying for pie and a brief stroll in the moonlight?” Devlin asked. He studied Madeline’s reaction to his suggestion.
“It’s already dark.” Madeline stood up and looked about like a hunted deer desperate for escape. “We really must go. Wouldn’t you agree, Lady Gilling?”
Hally stared at Charles Melton as if he might disappear at any moment. “I believe we have time for a short walk before we return to Richfield.”
Madeline nodded reluctantly and sat down. “A very short walk.”
Agnes sliced up the pie while Edna served her guests. The sweets disappeared quickly.
“That walk sounds like a splendid idea, Ravensmoore,” Melton said. “It’s not good for a body to sit around after a big meal. Waste of energy. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“For once, I agree with you completely,” Devlin joked goodnaturedly and rose to his feet. “Lady Madeline, Countess, your company would be most welcome.”
“And just where do ye think ye are goin’ without a chaperone?” Agnes said as she entered the room and began to clear the table. “Ye are both eligible and unmarried females,” she announced, as though it were a great secret. “I suggest ye wait for Edna and me.”
“I am a widow, Mrs. Moss. I hardly need a chaperone and can certainly serve as Madeline’s. But please join us.”
“Of course,” Madeline said. “I would never leave without you, Agnes.”
Devlin didn’t miss the plea in her eyes as she spoke to Agnes.
“We’ll wait outside,” Devlin assured her. “The evenings have been quite chilly. You will need your wraps.”
Agnes nodded. “We’ll be right out.” She returned to the kitchen.
Devlin assisted Madeline wi
th her pelisse. Once outside he offered her his arm.
She hesitated for a moment, as if weighing her decision carefully. “I am not comfortable with this situation, sir,” she whispered. “If the countess weren’t so smitten with Mr. Melton, I would not find myself in such a dilemma.”
“As you wish, Lady Madeline. We will simply walk next to each other.” He watched Melton offer his arm to Hally. She immediately accepted as though she’d been doing it all her life. Envy tangled his emotions like weeds in a garden.
“The stars are beautiful tonight, are they not?” Madeline said, avoiding his eyes.
“The stars are beautiful, but I do believe you outshine them,” Devlin declared, his voice carefully modulated so as not to betray the depth of his feelings.
“You are too bold, sir. They will hear you,” Madeline said urgently.
“The important thing is that you heard me.” He turned slightly. “They appear far too interested in each other to bother with us.”
“Well, they certainly are getting along. I never thought to see Hally so taken with a gentleman again.” Hally and Melton were engaged in an intimate conversation of their own, oblivious to all else.
“Melton is a charming fellow, with more strength of character than one might suspect on first acquaintance,” Devlin said.
Madeline glanced at him askance. “He is trustworthy, then?”
“As far as I know.” The door opened behind them. “Ah, here are our chaperones.” He couldn’t prevent a twinge of regret from creeping into his voice as Edna and Agnes joined them.
Devlin and Madeline took the lead, walking in front of Hally and Melton. Devlin hoped to put a little distance between them and the others. The two sisters followed the couples down the cobblestone street.
Devlin longed to take Madeline’s hand and nestle it into his elbow. But he knew she just barely tolerated his presence, much less his touch. “How have you have been feeling since the accident yesterday? Did your arm give you any difficulty today?”
“As your patient, I must tell you that I am doing very well… most of the time.”