Then he spent an hour rearranging his schedule by sending notes to patients who needed to be kept abreast of his whereabouts, such as the Macon family. Nathaniel reminded himself he ought to see about hiring an assistant, or perhaps a nurse, to aid him in the daily upkeep of his work. His income was such that he might manage to employ someone if he budgeted carefully. Of course, he had several new patients, thanks to the concert he attended with Miss Felicity.
“Ah, prompt as always, Doctor Hastings.” Lady Huntington greeted him with her usual warmth, standing and offering her hand to him. He bowed over it with exaggerated pomp, knowing how much she enjoyed any sort of spectacle.
“My lady, thank you for the invitation. I hope you are well?”
“As well as ever, thank you. But that is the last word we will have on my health.” She nodded smartly and gestured for him to take a seat. Then she rang for tea. “I would much rather discuss you, Doctor Hastings.”
“Me?” The idea startled him. He expected she would have gossip she wished to share, or perhaps only invited him on a social call to show her appreciation for his services. Why a woman of her importance in society would take an interest in him beyond that was a mystery.
“Yes, young man. It has come to my attention that you are an honest sort of physician, with pleasing manners, and a complete lack of arrogance.” Her eyes glittered merrily and she smiled with great satisfaction. “Your mother obviously instilled a great many virtues in you. I have done some probing into your family, and I must say I am impressed. Your people are known for their integrity.”
“Thank you, my lady.” What could he say to such compliments? Hardly anyone in Bath knew of his connections, and they were not particularly high. As he was a second son to a baron, and a somewhat reclusive baron at that, Nathaniel rarely found anyone who knew his family.
“I understand your attendance at the concert brought you to the attention of other prominent people in Bath?”
“It did, my lady. Thank you for the part you played in that.” He knew he couldn’t show enough gratitude for the faith she placed in him. But he would strive to make certain she never had reason to regret recommending him.
“Excellent. But we must turn our minds to work on other ways to promote you.”
“Promote me?” he repeated, surprised this would even be a concern for her. “My lady, your kind words to others have already done much to improve my practice. I would not wish to put you out.”
She waved her hand and turned her attention to the maid delivering the tea tray. “Put it there, Agatha. Thank you.” She began pouring out. “Do you take anything in your tea, Doctor Hastings? I recall you like it plain.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Lady Huntington picked up the thread of their conversation expertly. “At my age, Doctor, I need a few projects. Do not be offended that you are one of them, as I choose my subjects carefully. You are, as I said, excellent at what you do. As you cannot advertise yourself, and your social circle is limited, I will happily do what I can to see you to success. You will benefit from my attention, and I will be entertained by thinking up new ways to promote you.”
He took his cup as she spoke and waited for her to take a sip from her tea before daring to speak.
“I will not be offended, Lady Huntington. But apart from your high praise, which is a great blessing, I fail to see what else could be done. Although I find it ridiculous I cannot advertise as a doctor, I do respect my family by not directly entering into a trade.”
His mother would be mortified if anyone thought him a tradesman, but the strictures of society when it came to his services both amused and annoyed him.
“You may have noticed that you lack female patients,” she stated, her lips barely removed from the rim of her cup.
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes and swiftly went through a mental list of those who called for his services. It hadn’t occurred to him that he had far fewer female patients than male, as it was usually the lady of the house who sent for him to see to husbands, sons, and staff members.
“Ah. See, it is as I suspected.” Lady Huntington was far too sophisticated to crow, but she very nearly managed it in that statement. “You, Doctor Nathaniel Hastings, are a bachelor. You are also young and handsome. That gives women of gentle birth a great deal of pause before calling on you for their complaints. Of course, I don’t suggest you become involved with baby-catching. That is something men, even learned men, know nothing about.” She tilted her head up imperiously, inviting him to disagree with her.
Nathaniel wisely focused on the first part of what she said. “You think ladies are reluctant to call for my medical assistance because I’m unmarried?”
“Exactly that. How can they trust you have no ulterior motives in examining them? How do they know you even have sympathy for their plight if there is no woman in your life to soften you towards the fairer sex?” She sat her cup down regally and leaned towards him, eyes twinkling. “You need a wife.”
Nathaniel nearly groaned but recalled his manners in time. Instead he forced a small laugh. “You are the second person to tell me such a thing this week.”
“Then I am the second person to speak sense to you on the subject.” She gestured to the tea tray. “Would you like a sandwich?”
“Yes, thank you, my lady.”
She served him in silence, perhaps intentionally allowing him to think on her words. She even deigned to nibble quietly on her own refreshment, keeping her eyes lowered in a deceptively innocent manner.
What she said made perfect sense. Nathaniel knew that bachelors in society were usually granted a great deal of leeway, forgiveness, and freedom that single women would never be afforded. But he was not exactly a part of society when he was going about his business as a physician. Indeed, when he thought on other doctors in Bath, he realized most were either elderly, married, or both. None of them could really be seen, by society’s standards, as a danger to a woman’s reputation.
“Marriage has been on my mind of late.” The admittance brought heat into his face, and he would never say as much to Timothy, but it was true.
“You needn’t scowl so severely when you speak of matrimony.”
He realized he’d been frowning and he quickly altered his features into what he hoped passed for a contrite smile. “My apologies. It is only that this is such a new thought for me. I have been focused on my practice, not my personal life.”
“And yet your practice would greatly benefit from a little attention to that personal life, which I fear is nonexistent at present. Do you ever do anything for entertainment’s sake? Attend the theater? The Pump Room? Assemblies? I have never seen you anywhere other than this house.”
“I am afraid not. The life of a doctor is busy enough, I hardly need entertaining,” he confessed, lacing his hands together in front of him as he considered her questions. “Is that a failing, too?”
“I should think so. Even the greatest minds need a little diversion now and again.”
“And at these events, do you think I could be so fortunate as to find a willing lady to marry me? If we are being candid, my lady, we both know that I am not a catch by society’s standards.”
“Then it’s a good thing young people are marrying for more romantic reasons these days. Oh, I’m not saying you ought to set your sights on any granddaughters of dukes or nieces of earls. But you will find any number of gentlemen’s daughters who would be proud to be seen on your arm.” Her expression turned playful, the wrinkles around her smile deepening. “I can think of at least three such girls of my acquaintance who wouldn’t object to standing up with you, and that is how it all starts.”
Nathaniel could not be as hopeful as she, given his previous experience with Julia. And that little romance had started with a glance across a crowded street in London, not in a glittering ballroom. He raised his hand to his temple, forcing away the memory of that first meeting.
He could barely manage to go half an hour without thinking of he
r, and more often than not, his remembrances were fond instead of hurtful.
Nathaniel realized he had not yet kept his word to Lady Heatherton in regards to Julia’s employment prospects. Perhaps doing so would effectively change the subject from his bachelorhood to something easier to discuss.
“Lady Huntington, I wonder if you might know of a position for a woman of gentle birth and good education. She is hoping to find employment as a governess or companion, and she is of good character.” It wasn’t the most subtle change in conversation, but Nathaniel’s desperation to leave the subject of matrimony behind necessitated a hasty verbal retreat.
When he met her ladyship’s eyes, he wondered at the way they suddenly narrowed. Her lips pursed and she tilted her head to the side.
“The woman’s name?” Her tone was decidedly calculating.
“Miss Julia Devon. She is cousin to the Baroness of Heatherton.” He didn’t like the way the elderly lady studied him.
“Is she pretty? It is difficult to find a place for pretty young women.”
He swallowed and wished his cravat was tied more loosely. Perhaps he ought to forget a wife and get a valet who knew how best to manage the thing. “She is a handsome woman, yes.”
“Ah. And you know her well?”
“We have been acquainted for several years,” he answered, turning his attention to another sandwich and trying to appear calm. He needed to conceal what he truly felt about Julia, about their former attachment, but Lady Huntington could not possibly guess at such things from a few short remarks. Or could she?
“And she would rather be a governess or companion than your wife?”
Apparently, she could. Nathaniel choked on his bite of sandwich and raised a fist to his mouth, coughing to dislodge the suddenly dry bread from his throat.
“Doctor Hastings, you become more fascinating every time we meet.” She started laughing and passed his teacup to him. “Take a drink. Get it all down.”
He hastily obeyed, but it took several swallows and another good cough before he felt capable of speaking again. “Pardon me, my lady, but you took me by surprise.”
“You are not the first to have said such a thing to me.” She chuckled and sat straighter, running a ring-laden hand down the front of her dress, reminding him of a bird preening its feathers. “At my age, I hardly need to mince about a matter. It is always better to come straight to the point. One moment we were talking about you finding a wife, and the next you want my help finding a position for Miss Julia Devon—whoever she may be. The connection between the two topics is obviously well made in your mind. Tell me about her.”
And although dwelling on Julia had been the last thing Nathaniel wanted to do, once he started speaking of her, it was difficult to stop.
“She is dark-haired, of average height, and handsome. She is three and twenty. As I said, Miss Devon is well-educated and is both refined and has excellent manners. She always struck me as very practical. I know she had only a single season in London. Her father is a gentleman with a great many investments and business ties, but apart from an aunt who married an earl, she has no true ties to nobility.”
He stopped watching Lady Huntington’s reaction to his words, his eyes losing focus as he thought about Julia and how best to explain her to someone else.
“I know she is seeking employment as a way to find independence from her family. It surprised me at first, but the more I think of her character and nature, the more it makes sense.”
“Imagine a woman wishing to make her own way in the world.” Her ladyship’s dry tone was not lost on him and he offered a contrite smile.
“I suppose it isn’t difficult to understand. We second sons must do the same.”
“And would you call your chosen path an easy one?” she asked, gray eyebrows arching high on her forehead.
“Not at all.”
“And for a woman, it is ten times as difficult.” She nodded smartly. “I will make inquiries for your Miss Devon. But I suggest you consider if she might not fill the position of wife and companion to a doctor better than that of a governess.”
Good manners prevented him from arguing with her. Nathaniel thanked her instead and shortly thereafter took his leave, promising he would keep all Lady Huntington said in mind.
As he went on to his next appointment, he kept his word, and thought more on Julia Devon than he ought, especially given his vehement statement to her that he’d moved on with his life.
Chapter Thirteen
Julia waited in the study, pacing from one end to the other, with frequent glances through the doorway. Nathaniel had come and was upstairs, administering to the baron. His visits were daily occurrences, which she both dreaded and looked forward to. Every time she saw him, her mind and heart were briefly transported back to London and springtime walks beneath the blooming trees of Hyde Park.
But she put those memories aside, as she forced herself to instead think on his words to her, spoken in the very room she prowled.
Julia took in a deep breath and came to a stop by the window, peering out over the street. How often had she chastised her sister for her constant pacing? Christine never thought a thing out without marching up and down a room, agitating anyone else who shared the space with her.
“I miss that girl,” she said out loud, her hands clenching her skirt. She wished for a response to her letter, but it was unlikely Christine had yet received it.
“Ah, Miss Devon.”
Julia forced her hands to relax and put a smile on her face before turning to the door. “Mr. Macon. Good afternoon.”
Gerard Macon strode into the study as though he owned the room and everything in it. Only the somber color of his waistcoat even hinted at mournful feelings for the imminent loss of his brother. The rest of his appearance, including his expression, looked carefully manicured and groomed.
“You frequent this room often. I have to wonder, what draws you here?” He came all the way to the desk and sat, opening drawers and pulling out paper and writing implements.
“The books,” she answered. “The view to the street. It’s a pleasant room.”
He certainly made himself content in it.
“I agree.” Mr. Macon began sharpening his pen. “The doctor is here again, isn’t he?”
Julia averted her gaze to the window, attempting to conceal any emotion that might give away her true purpose for being in the room. “Yes. He’s upstairs.”
“I’d like a word with him when he comes down.”
She frowned out the glass paned window and curled her fingers into fists. “Would you?”
“Yes. See to it he’s directed in here.”
Although there was absolutely nothing to gain from snubbing the man, Julia dearly wished to set him right. But she bit her tongue. Let him think her nothing more than a poor relation, come to serve the whims of any member of the household. She had come for Virginia’s sake, and she would do all in her power to assist her cousin in removing this man’s threat over her children.
He never spoke of his decision in the household, not since initially informing Virginia of his visit to a lawyer to “set matters right” in regards to the will and guardianship of the boys. Mr. Macon also remained mostly civil, and Virginia could think of no grounds to throw him out of the house.
Charles Macon barely remained conscious for longer than a few minutes a day. His pain had become unbearable and his dependence on the oblivion brought on by sleeping droughts had increased. Virginia could not bring herself to tell him of his brother’s treachery. All she could do was send urgent missives to their solicitor’s office and beg them be sent on to wherever he had gone off to.
Julia almost missed the sound of footsteps on the stair. She walked swiftly out into the hall, looking up to catch Nathaniel’s eye before the maid could hand him his hat and coat.
“Miss Devon,” he said, his voice making her name sound much friendlier than Mr. Macon’s dismissive tone. “How are you this afternoon?”
/>
She moved hastily to him, her skirts swishing against her ankles in her haste. “Doctor Hastings.” She dropped a quick curtsy. “Mr. Macon has expressed a desire to speak with you before you leave.” Julia tried to tell him with her eyes exactly what she thought of that idea.
His lips twitched, as though he might smile, but Nathaniel only nodded his understanding.
“He’s in the study,” Julia added with a gesture. Then she lowered her voice. “I would like to speak to you, too.”
Nathaniel nodded. “Perhaps a turn in the back garden?”
“Yes. I will wait outside.” Julia waited until he entered the study, closing the door behind him, then she tore quickly up the stairs to find her spencer. She took the servants’ staircase down the back, to the kitchen, and let herself into the open air via the small herb garden tended to by Mrs. Rainey during their time here.
Julia waited by the conservatory’s exit, where she judged it most likely Nathaniel would appear. After only a few minutes, she realized in her haste she neglected to bring gloves or hat for warmth. She pulled the light coat more tightly about her and tried to tuck her fingers into the sleeves, but the cut was too snug for her to achieve much protection that way.
“Bother,” she muttered, finally tucking her hands under the opposite arms. It wasn’t a dignified way for a lady to stand, but she would rather have warm fingers than a sophisticated posture at present.
The doors opened and Nathaniel strode out, hat and coat on, gloved hand clasping the handles of his medical bag. He spotted her and crossed the ground between them in several long strides.
Julia sucked in a breath at the expression on his face.
She’d never actually seen him angry before. Every line of his body, every muscle in his face, looked taut and he moved with exaggerated control. His blue eyes were dark and cold, like an oncoming storm, and his scowl was something to behold.
The Gentleman Physician: A Regency Romance (Branches of Love Book 2) Page 12