by Fanny Walsh
“Forgive me, old friend. I should not have been so careless with my words. Lady Linden is, of course, a fine woman.”
Duncan regarded Julius for any sign of insincerity but found only a bit of bashful shame on his face. Duncan thought he looked much like a petulant schoolboy at that moment, and he smiled.
“At least I would not need to worry about my best friend managing to woo her with his honey-sweet words,” he said, clapping Julius on the shoulder with a laugh.
Julius looked at Duncan confused, then saw the joke glimmering in Duncan’s eyes. He, too, laughed.
“If the honey words did not choke me, Eliza surely would,” he said, and both men roared with laughter.
Duncan checked the time and was surprised to find that it was a quarter to noon. He unconsciously ran a hand through his hair and straightened his coat.
Julius stood, reading the wordless gesture as his cue to leave.
“Well, my friend, I shall leave you to it. I have a business meeting to make. I will call on you soon to see how it went.” Julius hugged him briefly. “Good luck, Duncan.”
“Thank you,” Duncan said.
***
Duncan saw Mary and her maid getting out of her carriage as he was waving goodbye to Julius at the office entrance hall.
His blood surged again, and his heart pounded. He still had no idea of whether he should ask Mary to court her, or how to do so, but he tried to don his calmest, most confident face.
Mary saw him waiting for her, a confused smile on her face. He imagined his brave face must have looked more like a pained grimace, and he silently cursed himself.
“Good day, Lady Linden,” he said. He stepped forward to take her hand and help her inside. Before he did so, he kissed the back of her hand, apparently surprising both of them.
Her maid chuckled very softly, and Mary blushed. At first, Duncan feared he had made a terrible mistake. Then, he saw the smile creep onto Mary’s face.
“Do you greet all your patients this way, Doctor?” she asked.
“Only those I feel truly deserve it,” he said, smiling.
Mary’s blush deepened. Duncan noticed then, against the bright crimson of her cheeks, the rest of her face looked pale. Although she was immaculately dressed and her light brown hair perfectly arranged, she looked ill.
There were dark circles standing out under her lovely hazel eyes, a stark contrast to her too-pale skin. He began to feel guilty for flirting with her when she was obviously not feeling like herself.
However, when he looked back into her eyes, he noticed she was still smiling and shyly biting her lip.
“You look very tired,” he said as he led the women inside.
Mary nodded.
“Indeed I am. I have not slept much in the last few days, and my waking hours are spent trying to sort out a tiresome mess with my father’s company,” she said, pressing her fingers to her temple.
Duncan frowned, quickly forming a distaste to seeing her upset.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked.
Mary looked at him as if trying to determine the nature of his question. At last, she shook her head.
“No. It is just one of those things that a woman in my position must endure,” she said, smiling weakly.
Duncan studied her face with care. He was beginning to wonder if she was really up to discussing her leg just then.
“We can always postpone your appointment and reschedule it for when you are better rested,” he offered.
Mary looked at him with a serious expression and shook her head firmly.
“No. I have been looking forward to this for days. I want to deal with it today.”
Duncan frowned. He had found her stubborn independence endearing, but not when it threatened to compromise her wellbeing. However, he also knew better than to argue with her. It would only make her more stubborn still.
“In that case, please lie down on one of the sick beds here and rest. Just for an hour or so.”
Mary scowled. He knew she likely felt that he was treating her like an invalid, and that if he were not careful, she might storm out of his office and never return. He searched for the right words before he spoke again.
“If your mind is not clear and rested, there may be details that will help me with my exam and the entire process that get overlooked. I need you to be able to answer all my questions, so I can figure out exactly how to proceed.”
Her face softened as she considered his words.
She finally nodded, although she still did not look happy about the idea.
“Alright,” she said. “One hour. Not one minute more.”
Duncan smiled kindly, relieved. He gently guided her to one of the beds, with Susan following behind, and helped her get comfortable, before she could change her mind.
“Are you comfortable?” he asked. Susan quietly took up a chair near the bed.
“Yes, quite,” she murmured, her eyelids already beginning to droop despite herself. He backed away slowly and quietly so as to not disturb her. He pulled the door so that it was open just a crack and left her to her slumber.
***
Duncan spent the first half-hour of Mary’s rest rereading things in some of his books related specifically related to resetting broken bones. He marked some pages and scribbled some notes and hoped that everything he knew would be reassuring to Mary.
Then, he thought he heard stirring coming from the room in which he had put Mary. He moved silently toward the door and peeked in. Mary had resituated herself in her sleep and was talking softly.
He started to walk away, not wanting to eavesdrop on something so personal, but he was stricken again by her beauty. Not just her beauty, though.
He was suddenly aware of just how strong Mary was. Despite her unique situation, despite her physical deformity, she held her head high, remained largely independent, and had no trouble rebuking her suitor’s advances.
It occurred to him how dangerous that strength and independence made her. Not physically, certainly. But she could likely be quite dangerous to a man’s mind and heart, and perhaps even his sanity.
She was not easily swayed, especially once she had made up her mind, and she would never be one to allow anyone, probably not even a husband, do any more for her than was considered proper or required.
A strange thought wandered into his mind, and he blanched. What if the accident that landed her in my office that day was no accident?
He stepped away from the door, as if Mary might suddenly hear his thoughts or his pounding heart. He tried to dismiss the idea, but it kept returning.
He went back to his desk and tried to study a little more before she woke, but he made a mental note to ask her about the accident as they discussed her leg.
Chapter 9
Mary awoke just as Duncan was slipping into the room to wake her.
“How do you feel?” he asked, a warm smile on his face.
She smiled, covering a small yawn with her hand.
“It seems as if you were right, doctor. That little nap seems to be just what I needed.”
She did, indeed, feel more rested, and her nerves were at last beginning to settle. After the week she had been having, even a brief reprieve was a great relief.
“Are you ready to begin the exam?” he asked, offering her a glass of water.
She accepted gratefully and took a long sip.
“More than ready,” she said, holding her head high.
“Very well. Let me see that leg,” he said, lifting her leg gently by placing one hand on her foot and the other just below her knee. She gasped when he removed her shoe, and he quickly withdrew his hands.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked, looking alarmed.
Mary smiled reassuringly.
“No. You just surprised me.”
Duncan nodded, and Mary thought she saw a small smile.
He slid the bottom of her dress up and draped the hem over her knee. Her face flushed, and she wondered
how scandalous all this personal contact was, especially since it was more thorough than the first time he examined her, even if he was a doctor.
She bit her lip, but not entirely out of embarrassment. She found that she did not dislike his hands on her leg as much as she perhaps should. In fact, she was beginning to enjoy it.
Too soon, Duncan concluded his exam. Mary became distinctly aware of the absence of his touch, and she felt a bit saddened.
“Well, I have good news. There do not seem to be any fragments of bone floating around or any other such complications. As I can see, the break was a clean one, and it should be no trouble at all to treat it as I mentioned during your first visit.”
Mary smiled, and she allowed herself to feel hopeful.
“Oh, that is wonderful,” she said, barely suppressing her joy.
Duncan made some notes on a sheet of paper, placing it carefully on a nearby tabletop. He returned his gaze back to Mary.
“Who treated you the first time?” Duncan asked. He looked at her leg once more, and she thought he was going to touch her again. He did not.
“My uncle did. He had some medical training while in the military,” she answered.
Duncan’s face grew solemn.
“It was crudely done. I suspect that that is the reason you still have a limp.”
Mary blushed. Now, she was embarrassed and angry that anyone had dared speak ill about her uncle. Who was Duncan to berate him?
“I owe my uncle everything,” Mary said, jumping to his defense. “He took excellent care of me while I was injured. He even saw to the funerals of my parents and brother because I was in too much pain to do so myself, as I should have.”
Mary’s voice started to tremble, and she silenced herself to regain her composure.
To her surprise, Duncan looked angry. He rose from the seat he had taken to examine her leg and walked across the room, running his hands through his hair. Although she was still angry, she was now also curious about Duncan’s strange reaction.
“I know that you love your uncle,” Duncan said slowly through teeth dangerously close to becoming clenched, “but the fact remains that his lack of proper training is likely the cause of your extended trouble with your leg. I have no doubt that he meant well—”
“He meant nothing but the best for me,” Mary said firmly. “I would be a downright mess if I did not have him to help me through all this.”
“Mary, he is not the only man who can help you,” Duncan said, his eyes wild with anger and… longing?
Mary blinked in surprise.
“And do you know another such man? One who is not utterly repulsed by this leg of mine?” she asked. She thought about how all the men she had met wanted only to take care of obtaining her titles and her father’s land.
Duncan did not give her the chance.
“I am one such man. I would like very much to take care of you,” he said.
Now, it was his turn to look surprised, as though he had not realized he was going to say something so forward until he did so.
A dry, harsh laugh escaped Mary’s throat.
“Yes, and I suppose that next, you will tell me that you care nothing for my titles or my inheritance, that none of that means anything to you,” she snapped.
She immediately regretted the harshness of her words, but her indignation would not let her think of that just then.
“Indeed, that is exactly what I am telling you,” Duncan snapped back. “I already have titles and land of my own. If I were to marry you, it would not be an advancement in station for me, and I would gain nothing that I do not already have myself.”
As the words left his mouth, Duncan blanched. His eyes grew wide.
“What I mean is…” Duncan began.
Mary smiled at Duncan.
“I know who you are, Lord Tornight,” she said.
His pale cheeks flushed, and Mary thought he looked like a scolded child.
“Of course, you do, my lady,” Duncan murmured. “Please, forgive my previous lack of candor.”
Mary waved off his words.
“It is not as if you tried to tell me that you are not, in fact, Lord Tornight. Then, I might have cause to be upset with you.”
“Then you must know that what I say is true. I could not want a woman for her money or titles. I would wish to marry a woman for who she is, and how she makes me feel.”
Mary looked at Duncan, now at a complete loss for words.
Duncan flushed, now looking as embarrassed as she had felt when he had belittled her uncle. He remained silent for a few moments. Then, he sighed.
“If I were to marry you, it would be because you are beautiful. You are also very strong and capable, and even the briefest conversation with you is more intelligent than all the conversations I have had with all other women I have met recently combined. In truth, I could marry a countess or a barmaid, as long as she was intelligent and strong, like you.”
Mary could feel her face turn bright crimson. She sat, still utterly incapable of finding her voice.
Duncan seemed to realize how forward he sounded. He tried to smile, but she thought she could see fear and shock in his eyes.
Neither of them spoke for some time. Mary feared that her voice would betray her thoughts if she did, and Duncan looked as if he feared that the next words from his lips might be a direct marriage proposal. Mary was slowly finding that she was warming to the idea, which both frightened and excited her.
At last, she stood.
“Well, doctor, I believe you are finished with your exam?” she asked, praying she sounded calmer than she felt.
She must have, because Duncan looked both relieved and disappointed that she had no further comment on his bold pronouncement.
“Yes,” he said, switching on his professional mask. Now, however, Mary could see past that, and she saw that the softness his eyes always had when he looked at her remained behind his doctor’s façade.
“We can schedule an appointment for the procedure whenever you are ready.”
Mary nodded her head once.
“Very well. Thank you for everything, and I will be in touch.”
Duncan gave her a slight bow.
“Of course, my lady. I will be awaiting your correspondence,” he said as he escorted her to the exit.
She met Duncan’s gaze, and he smiled his warm, charming smile.
“Of course. And do let me know if you need anything in the meantime.” He flushed again at his words.
Mary only acknowledged them with her own bright smile. Then she beckoned to Susan and they walked out into the afternoon sun and to their carriage.
***
“Milady, are you alright?” Susan asked as she served tea and cakes.
Mary looked at her maid, confused.
“I am sorry, Susan. Did you say something?”
Susan smiled gently, her eyes filling with concern.
“I asked if there were any other impending engagements of which I should make note for this week.”
Mary blushed, angry with herself for dwelling so deeply on her appointment with Duncan.
She forced a relaxed smile.
“Oh, forgive me, Susan. No, I do not have any more engagements for two weeks.” Plenty of time to brood over today, she added silently.
Susan nodded.
“Are you alright?” she repeated.
“Yes, I am quite fine,” Mary lied. “Today has just been quite trying, and I am exhausted.” She flushed as the memory of Duncan’s hands on her leg raced through her mind.
Susan smiled knowingly.
“If there is nothing else at the moment, I will go see to the dinner preparations and the evening chores.”
Mary nodded.
“Yes, of course. I am fine for now. Thank you, Susan.”
Susan turned to leave.
“Susan? Could you wait just a moment?” Mary said. She did not wish to think much more about the events of today, but she needed to sort through som
e of the thoughts before they drove her mad. She made a mental note to visit Beatrice before the end of the week. She desperately needed her friend’s counsel.
She opened her mouth to speak but lost her nerve. The thoughts might drive her mad, but once she spoke them aloud, she could not take them back.