The Gentleman Physician: A Regency Romance (Branches of Love Book 2)

by Sally Britton

  “I am afraid so.” Virginia’s amusement kept her smiling. “But we may find something. We are in Bath, after all. There are more grandmothers in this town than you would believe, and who better to know a family’s situation than the matriarch? They can evaluate their sons and sons-in-law well enough to guess how you would fit into a house. I will make inquiries discretely if this is what you want.”

  “It is.” At least, Julia wanted it more than returning back to her father, assuming he would ever allow her to come back. She liked it better than being a burden on Virginia.

  “Very well.” Virginia folded her hands in her lap. “And you will stay with me until we find you a position?”

  “Yes, if I can be of use to you.”

  Virginia’s expression softened. “Dearest Julia, I do not know how I would do any of this without you. Especially now.” She stopped and looked down at her hands, which she clenched tightly in her lap.

  Julia watched her cousin’s knuckles turn white.

  “Gerard spoke with Charles this morning,” Virginia said abruptly. “And he’s gone now, to speak to a lawyer. He wants to change Charles’s will.”

  Julia gasped. “He wants to what? Why?”

  “He says I am not a fit guardian for the boys, that it should be he and not I who oversees the trust until Phillip is of age.” Virginia closed her eyes and leaned back against her chair. “And I don’t know what to do.”

  Julia moved from her chair to stand next to her cousin, putting her hand on Virginia’s shoulder. “We will not allow that to happen, Virginia. I promise, I will help you in whatever way I can.” Though she spoke the words with determined firmness, Julia did not know how best she would fulfill them.

  Her cousin nodded, but the gesture was half-hearted at best. Julia could only imagine how weary Virginia must be, but that fueled her desire to help even more.

  Chapter Ten

  Nathaniel entered the Baron’s house with as much cheer as he could muster and wondered if Julia would avoid him as she had on his previous visit. He brought with him comfits for the boys, to help ease Edward’s throat, which would be raw from his coughing. He also took the liberty of purchasing herbs to make a calming tea for Lady Heatherton. Seeing the dark circles under her eyes, and knowing all the pressure she bore, tugged at his heart. The woman needed all the help he could give her, as Julia had said.

  After a short visit with Edward and Phillip, who were pleased that new sweets were to be given to them every hour or two, Nathaniel met Lord and Lady Heatherton in his chamber.

  Lord Heatherton lay awake, and his skin radiated with heat.

  “You must be truthful, my lord,” he said after his initial examination. “How are your lungs?”

  The baron cast his eyes to his wife and spoke his answer to her, nearly gasping in between words. “Every minute it is as though I am drowning. I feel I am breathing water, instead of air.”

  “You have felt this way before?” Nathaniel asked.

  “Yes. But not as desperate to draw breath.”

  Nathaniel checked his temperature again and shook his head. “I am sorry, my lord.”

  The baron coughed and his wife came to sit by his side, putting her hand to his forehead. “I love you, Charles. If I could take away this pain, I would.”

  “It does not matter,” he said at last. “It will soon be over. All will be well.”

  Nathaniel watched her expression turn from sorrowful to troubled, but she did no more than lean forward to kiss her husband’s forehead.

  When they moved away from the bed, both of them to wash their hands, Virginia spoke quietly. “How much longer?” she asked, her eyes darkened with worry.

  “This is where the illness is most strange,” Nathaniel told her, determined to be fully honest with her. “It could happen in the night, in his sleep. Or there could be a raging fever for days. Consumption is not a disease we can explain or understand. Sometimes it takes a person in days, and others it weakens over years.”

  She dropped her chin in a quick nod of acknowledgement. “You have been most helpful, Doctor Hastings. I don’t know how we would have managed without you. I appreciate your candor.” She swallowed and set her jaw, appearing determined, putting on a mantle of quiet strength. “Would you please take tea with me? Charles will sleep for a time. His valet will sit with him.”

  “If that is what you would like, Lady Heatherton.”

  She took him to a sitting room he had only been in once before, when she and her husband sat together on the sofa, interviewing him as a potential physician. On that day, the baron had only appeared tired, perhaps a little pale and thin. But a quick physical examination had left Nathaniel in little doubt as to the seriousness of his illness.

  She rang for tea and they both sat. He wondered if he ought to try to make conversation, but she quickly took on the role of hostess. Her fortitude would serve her well in the coming days.

  “I was informed that when you helped us with Edward you were coming from a concert. Thank you for allowing us to interrupt your evening.”

  “It is my duty, my lady.”

  “My cousin was the one who thought to send for you with such haste,” the baroness added, her tone careful and even. “I confess, I went to pieces for several minutes.”

  “That is understandable, my lady. There is much weighing on you, and Edward is very young. Has your cousin been of great help to you, in her time here?” He told himself good manners required him to inquire after a guest in the home.

  “Immeasurably. She is visiting the shops for me today. I cannot imagine how I would do this without her. I am glad that her father sent her to us, though I confess it unlikely he was motivated by charity.” She looked away as she made the curious admission. “I will take full advantage of it and keep her with me as long as possible, though Julia has a desire to be independent. I actually wondered if I might solicit your assistance, Doctor Hastings. You are a man of discretion and good judgement. You may be able to help us with your connections.”

  Nathaniel could not remember the last time someone thought he had any sort of connections in society, given that he did not have much in the way of influence.

  “I will help you in any way I can, Lady Heatherton.”

  “Excellent. You see, my cousin Julia does not wish to return home. Her situation there is rather unpleasant.”

  Nathaniel could well imagine, given the man she had for a father, but he wondered what he was expected to do about this. Surely, he was not meant to help play matchmaker in some way? Miss Devon was past the age most ladies of society were married, should they marry at all, and had yet to catch a husband. He told himself most sternly he did not wonder why.

  “We are hoping to find her a position as a governess,” the baroness continued, her words jerking him completely out of his somewhat contradictory thoughts.

  “What? Why?” he asked, but hastily covered his surprise when she raised her eyebrows at him. “I’m sorry. I did not—it’s not my business. But—I’m startled, is all. I know something of the family,” he admitted at last, trying to cover his verbal floundering.

  “Then you know that her father is a tyrant,” she said bluntly, her eyebrows still two high arches on her forehead. “And perhaps you may also know that her sister has lately married in a way that displeases him.”

  “I—I had not heard,” Nathaniel said. His cravat felt too tight when her eyes slowly narrowed, piercing him. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”

  Virginia Macon had always struck him as an intelligent woman, and he had admired that about her, until this moment. She had turned her mind most firmly to him during this exchange, and he felt incredibly unsteady under her gaze.

  “I am trusting to your discretion, Doctor Hastings. I will explain it to you. Julia’s father has dictated to his daughters most of their lives. When Julia’s sister, Christine, elected to marry for love to a man without a vast fortune or titles, my uncle nearly disowned her. But she thwarted him, and thou
gh those details do not matter, their effect was to upset Mr. Devon enough that he banished Julia and his youngest daughter from his home. I do not think he intends for Julia to come back until she has been made to suffer, in his mind, for what her sister has done.”

  The tea tray came in and Lady Heatherton cut her narrative until after the maid put down the tray and went away. To his irritation, her ladyship took the time to prepare his tea and a plate for him, then for herself. Although normally a man of great patience, he grew anxious that she may not even take up Julia’s story again.

  He finally cleared his throat, watching her take a sip from her cup. “What does Miss Devon intend to do? She would not really consider the life of a servant, would she?”

  The woman lowered the cup and took her time in answering him. “She is considering it, which is why I think you could be of help. You have many acquaintances in Bath, through your practice of medicine, and may learn of a position appropriate to someone of her character and background.”

  “Oh. I see.” He took a sip from his cup, his mind turning over this new information. Although his personal experience with Julia’s father had not been pleasant, he had never given any thought to how the man might be likewise to his own family. It intrigued him, this new idea, that Julia’s father would treat her poorly enough that she would rather turn to employment than wait on his forgiveness.

  “Will you help us, Doctor Hastings?” the baroness asked, lifting a biscuit from her plate with a diplomatic, unconcerned expression.

  Although he barely realized it, Nathaniel agreed to do what he could, and the baroness turned the conversation to the concert he had attended.

  “Did you enjoy yourself? Was the music wonderful?” she asked, her eyes brightening somewhat.

  “I thought it was, yes. There were several talented performances. I do not get to attend such things often, with my schedule.” The abrupt change in topic gave him no time to think on the commitment he’d made.

  She nodded. “I often feel guilty for my cousin missing too much while she is here with us. Julia would never hear of leaving the house for so selfish a thing as her own entertainment.” The fond manner in which she spoke of her cousin said much of their close friendship. “And this is a very unique situation. But I wish she had a little time to herself, to enjoy the city and its entertainments.”

  “That is a kind thought, and it is good of her to keep you company.”

  “She practically runs the household presently,” Lady Heatherton admitted with a slight shrug. “As I said before, I could not do this without her.”

  Nathaniel did not wish to start discussing Julia Devon again. Lady Heatherton’s eyes were too inquisitive when her cousin was the topic under conversation.

  “I am afraid I must be going, my lady, but I thank you for the refreshment.” He stood and she rose as well. “I will make certain my schedule is correct with your staff, so you may find me again if there is any need. Otherwise, I will come back tomorrow, if you wish.”

  “Yes, thank you, Doctor.” She walked him to the top of the landing, where she took her leave to return to her husband’s side.

  The woman’s devotion, and her courage in the face of certain loss, gave Nathaniel a measure of hope for the family’s future.

  After completing his business in the house, Nathaniel pulled his overcoat tightly around him and went out into the frigid air. Darkness would be falling soon, as he had stayed later than normal at the Macons’ townhouse, and he had more errands to run. But he had not gone far down the walk before he spied a familiar figure coming his way.

  A maid walked with her, both of them smiling and carrying small parcels wrapped in brown paper. Julia laughed at a comment from the maid, and the sound nearly carried him backward in time, but he resisted the memories and set his shoulders back. He would tip his hat to her and go on his way. Her cousin’s words could not alter his perception and memories of her readily.

  But when she saw him, only steps away, she stopped walking and her happiness disappeared. He reached up to the brim of his hat, not slowing his steps.

  “Doctor Hastings,” she said, dipping a curtsy where she stood, making it necessary for him to stop and return the bow. “I am glad I did not miss you. Here, Emily, please take these inside. I will be a moment.”

  He waited, astounded that she would even wish to be near him, let alone that she had wanted to see him. His heart attempted an abnormal flutter and he took in a deep breath to remind himself to be more sensible. She may wish to talk to him on any number of impersonal topics.

  The maid took the packages, bobbed a curtsy, and hurried away.

  “What can I do for you, Miss Devon?” he asked, doing his best not to sound too accommodating. He must have failed, for she stepped closer.

  “Might we walk as we speak? It is dreadfully cold and standing still makes it worse.” She put her hands in front of her and fidgeted with her gloves, looking from him to the ground.

  What could she want with him? He thought, given their conversation in the study, she would avoid him. It would have been easier on him if she had. Now he had to consider her request. What gentleman could possibly deny a lady such a thing as a walk in front of her house? Nathaniel extended his arm to her. She slipped her hand through the crook of it.

  She began speaking slowly, each word tinted with her hesitancy. “I will not ask you how the baron does. Virginia will tell me soon. But I feel it is only a matter of time before he is gone. And I am afraid of what will happen after that.” Her conversation surprised him, but it shouldn’t have. The only other time she had been forthcoming since meeting him again was when she spoke of her cousin’s need for help. Her heart was in the right place when it came to the baroness, at least.

  “I have been told that matters are well in hand, at least for the provision of her ladyship and the baron’s sons,” he said, wondering why she would not know of the arrangements made to care for her cousin. Really, it was none of his business.

  “That was true yesterday.” Julia turned her face fully to him as they walked, a frown marring her loveliness. “But my cousin has cause for concern. You met his lordship’s brother only briefly, but I have spent several days in his company and I must tell you that he does not possess much gentleness.”

  Perhaps she did not like him because he was a second son. Of course, according to Lady Heatherton, Julia was ready to embark on a career as a governess. This new information painted a picture of her that was quite the opposite of all he had told himself to believe over the years. Nathaniel shook those conflicting ideas away and focused on her words, deciding it would be best to study it out another time.

  “What does he have to do with anything?” he asked, surprised she spoke with him so freely, given their last conversation.

  “Mr. Macon has gone to see about having the will changed, claiming his brother is unfit to decide who should be the guardian of his sons and trustee of the estate,” she told him without hesitating, her tone firm and her brows drawn together. “Virginia is beside herself with worry. She already has too much on her mind and in her heart to have that horrid man threaten her in this way.”

  “Threaten her?” he asked. He stopped walking and considered the woman at his side carefully, taking in the tilt of her head and the fire in her eyes. “You are in earnest. What has he done? What has he said?”

  She shook her head. “It is more what he has implied. I have not spoken to him myself, but to say his brother cannot place Virginia as guardian to her own children has frightened her. Virginia is a good mother. She loves her children, but it is not unheard of for male relatives to receive preference over mothers when courts decide these matters.”

  Indeed, it was not. He knew of at least one case where the children had been given to a grandfather to raise, at the protests of a widowed mother, because the old gentleman had the money and connections to take his grandchildren from her. It had been a terrible thing, and Lady Huntington, who had known the family, had spoken of
nothing else for weeks. If the brother could make a strong enough case against the baron’s frame of mind, or Lady Heatherton’s unsuitability, he could gain control of the estate and the heirs.

  Nathaniel could not, without knowing Mr. Macon, assign to him the nefarious character that Julia believed him to be, based on her concerns.

  “Would he remove them from their mother, do you think?” he asked, resuming their walk.

  “I don’t know. If he had all the power, even if he allowed her to remain with them, would she have any say in how they were brought up?” she asked, shaking her head as she spoke. “The baron is not even gone yet and his brother is acting the part of a villain. You have spoken to Lord Heatherton many times. Have you ever thought him to be lacking in his mental faculties?”

  “Never,” he answered firmly. “He is lucid and intelligent. Anyone who has seen him in the past weeks would say the same.”

  “But once he is gone, who will give such a testimony?” she asked. “And how will a baroness who has lost her husband appear sound in her own right? Virginia has been grieving her husband for weeks, and I cannot imagine what will happen when he is gone.” She hesitated over the last word, her face paling. “I am asking a great deal of you, Doctor, but I know no one else in Bath. If you could give me some direction to turn for aid, I would be forever grateful.”

  They began walking the opposite way again. Nathaniel’s mind worked upon the problem at hand. He could not deny someone who needed his help, even if that someone was Julia Devon. That she had approached him for aid, even after his less than chivalrous behavior towards her, showed her determination.

  “I may know someone you could consult,” he said at last. What would Timothy say if he knew what Nathaniel was thinking? “Should I have him come around to the house?”

  “No, I would prefer my cousin didn’t know about my inquiries,” she said, then bit her bottom lip. Her eyes were directed forward, but he doubted they saw much of anything, as she concentrated on the problem at hand. “And I do not go out into society, where I might be introduced to him easily.”