The Doctor and the Libertine: The Merry Misfits of Bath - Book Five

by Hutton, Callie

  “Yes. You may help her, as long as you don’t get in her way, or do anything she doesn’t tell you to do. There are many things in a kitchen that could harm you.”

  “’Hank you mum.” She raced off before Rayne barely got the words out. She really must see about enrolling Glory in school. Her language left quite a bit to be desired. One more thing to consider where the girl was concerned.

  Edwin limped into her office, leaning on his cane. “I was able to collect on two bills.” He dropped the invoices marked ‘paid’ on her desk.

  He still wore his hat and coat and she had to admit he looked rather dashing. She had seen no evidence of him imbibing in brandy. If he did it at home, it was not enough for him to show the results when he arrived each day.

  She leaned back in her chair and regarded him. “I need to decide what I am going to do with Glory.”

  He shrugged out of his coat, removed his hat, and placed the items on a chair in front of her desk, and gently lowered himself into the other one. “No luck in finding family for the girl?”

  “Family? From what we saw when she arrived here whatever family she had is not worth looking for. What puzzles me more than anything is her lack of requests to return to whatever people she’d been living with.”

  “Have you asked her about that?”

  “I tried. But every time I bring it up, her little body stiffens, and she finds an excuse to leave the room. We saw the bruises on the poor girl’s body. Even if there is family out there, I doubt I would turn her over to them. In fact, I’m quite sure she is terrified that we might return her.”

  Edwin studied her for a minute. “Does the law allow for that? Will you get into any sort of trouble if you keep her?”

  “I don’t know. But I can’t help but think the authorities wouldn’t care about a small child of the streets and would be more than happy to know she is now well-fed, safe, and looked after.” At least that had been the theory of which she’d convinced herself. As a doctor she’d recorded all the signs of neglect and abuse the girl presented when she arrived in the arms of the man who thought enough of the girl to at least take her to the infirmary.

  “It might not be a bad idea to consult with a solicitor. Do you have one? If not, I can recommend mine.”

  “Actually, Carter Westbrooke is a solicitor.” She noticed how Edwin’s entire manner became uneasy any time Carter or Lottie were mentioned.

  Perhaps it was time to address that issue with Edwin since with their growing friendship he was bound to run into the Westbrookes occasionally.

  “You really should approach Mr. and Mrs. Westbrooke and make your peace with them. They are lovely people and I know they would forgive you.” She shuffled the papers she’d been working on and placed them into the middle drawer of her desk, ready to check on her patients and administer necessary medicines.

  Edwin leaned back in the chair and studied her.

  ’Twas a good thing that he felt guilt at what he’d done. Maybe her faith in him wasn’t misplaced and he truly did want to repent his ways.

  “I must admit that was the all-time low of my life when Westbrooke came to my house to discuss Mrs. Westbrooke, who was his betrothed at the time. It was the morning after a rather rowdy party and I’m sure his impression of me only dropped further from the very low point he’d already had.”

  Noting his discomfort and obvious regret, she decided it was as good a time as any to change subjects. “I received a summons from my father today.”

  Raised eyebrows was his only response. Probably relief as well to have the focus on him put aside.

  “He summoned me to attend him tomorrow at three o’clock.” Gad, that sounded stiff and formal.

  Of course, it was stiff and formal.

  “Indeed? I assume it has something to do with your betrothed?” He stumbled over the last word. Since they’d both been busy the last couple of days, they hadn’t discussed Mr. Faulkner-Jones. Or his visit.

  Frankly, she wasn’t ready to discuss it at all.

  “May I ask a question?” He shifted in his seat and attempted to arrange his features in a relaxed manner but didn’t quite make it.

  Well, it appeared her desire to not discuss it just disappeared. “Yes?”

  “I know it is not my business—to some degree, but why did you never mention you were engaged to be married?”

  She couldn’t help but notice the slight bit of disappointment in his voice? Most likely that had to do with the kiss. Remembering that kiss had her face flushing and her middle doing a vigorous country dance.

  It had been quite nice, well actually more than quite nice. For a very first real kiss, it was superb, leaving her wondering if all his kisses would affect her that way. She certainly had become enthusiastic once their lips had met. Now he must think she was some sort of a jezebel, engaged to one man and kissing another.

  “As I mentioned at the time, the engagement had slipped my mind.”

  “While I have a hard time allowing for that, since most young women look forward to a betrothal and all the hysteria that surrounds a wedding, can you at least explain how it came about? You said something about it being years.”

  Rayne sighed and rubbed her forehead. “My father and Mr. Faulkner-Jones made the arrangement sometime before I left for medical training. Father told me of the betrothal before I left to study medicine at St. Bartholomew’s. I was so excited about my training that I dismissed the engagement from my mind.

  “I think we met once or twice. He didn’t speak much but kept studying me as if I were a bug under a glass. He was polite, very formal. Almost cold, one might say. As you noted, I barely recognized him when he arrived a few days ago.”

  Edwin snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. “It appears the man did not make a suitable impression on you if you hardly recognized him.”

  Two birds flew past the window, screeching at each other. Must be a married couple, she thought. “Perhaps. I must admit he didn’t make my heartbeat jump each time we met, but being so focused on my own studies, I really didn’t care. Also, he is a scholar or something like that who travels the world looking for things.”

  “Looking for things? Is he a detective?”

  She laughed. “No. He unearths relics and broken pieces of items from the past and sells them to museums. Or donates them, I’m not really sure.”

  For the past few days Edwin had dwelled on this very strange engagement of Rayne and the insufferable Faulkner-Jones and hoped to clear it up. He still wanted to see if there could be something between him and Rayne, but with a betrothal standing in the middle, and as a newly awakened gentleman, he could not honorably pursue her.

  “And you plan to marry this man? What of your medical practice? How will you continue with your work if you are traipsing all over the world looking for ‘things’?”

  “Truth be known, I do not have answers to those questions. The few times Mr. Faulkner-Jones and I have spoken, the conversation was about mundane things. The Queen’s birthday, traffic, weather, the usual English subjects of no importance.”

  He leaned forward in his chair and rested his hands on his thighs. “Do you not think these are significant matters to discuss? You are speaking about the rest of your life with this man.”

  “I know. I would have concerned myself with them had I remembered that the betrothal, and Mr. Faulkner-Jones himself, existed. However, I am off to see Father tomorrow, and I have an uneasy feeling either Mr. Faulkner-Jones will be there, or he has already been. Father’s note was quite abrupt.”

  “What of the dinner tonight? Is your fiancé still expected?”

  She shook her head and stood. He climbed to his feet as well. She still appeared tired from dealing with all the train accident patients and the little bit of sleep she had gotten during that time. Plus, she had a small child to contend with, and a long-forgotten betrothed. “No. He sent around a note that he will not be escorting me to dinner.”

  Edwin grinned. “Pity.”
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br />   “Yesss.” She drew out the word, a slight smile teasing her lips.

  “I don’t suppose you would care for my company on the trip to see your father?” Although he offered, he really did not want to be part of that conversation, but if she needed his support, he would do it.

  He was certainly becoming honorable, this new Lord Sterling.

  “No. Father can be difficult to deal with, and I have a feeling Mr. Faulkner-Jones has already discussed his visit here with him.” They began to walk together from the office to the infirmary.

  “How long of a trip is it?” He limped along beside her, taking in the empty beds. Soon things would be back to normal. Well, as normal as can be for a doctor who ran an infirmary.

  “Not far. About a two-hour carriage ride. I usually take the hack that runs along the road from here to his village.”

  “I will send my carriage for you to use.”

  Rayne pulled out a pan from under a counter and filled it with bandages and salves. “That would be lovely. Some of the public hacks can be quite unpleasant.”

  “Where does he live?” He followed her to the kitchen where she handed him the bandages and salves and then filled the pan with warm water.

  “A village outside of Bath on the road that runs to Bristol.” They returned to the infirmary and she proceeded to unwrap a bandage around a patient’s upper arm that had been sliced when she’d been shoved up against a broken window.

  “Will you be staying all night?” He took the dirty bandage from her hand and balled it up, then tossed it to the bin in the corner.

  “No. Father’s house is small and there is only room for him and his one employee, Mrs. Johnson, who used to work for me. But in any event, I am needed here, so spending the night away is not feasible.”

  He shook his head. Rayne might be an intelligent woman and a fine doctor, but she had no head for common sense matters. If she kept up the pace she’d set for herself, she would wear out in a few years. ““I am sure your nursing assistant can spend a night or two here if needed.”

  She turned to him, handing him another dirty bandage. “Can I afford to have her stay overnight?”

  He did not hesitate. “Yes.” Of course, she could afford it because he would make sure the money was available to pay the assistant for extra hours.

  “How are things with the infirmary now?”

  “There isn’t much to do with the remaining patients, they just need to be kept comfortable. One patient leaves today, and the rest will likely return home on Monday.”

  In a total switch of topics, she said, “I was considering bringing Glory with me. I think she would love a trip to the countryside.”

  “I agree. The little minx could use the fresh air.” Glory was a sweet little girl who had enchanted him too.

  When his mind wandered to him, Rayne, and Glory as a family, he broke into a sweat and quickly switched the conversation. “What about Mrs. Mallory? Isn’t she due to deliver her babe soon?”

  “Yes. In fact, with the size she is, I agree with her that she might very well be carrying twins. If that is the case, then she most likely will deliver soon.”

  For some strange reason, that made him nervous. Why, he didn’t know since it wasn’t his wife delivering a baby. “It’s a good thing you are not planning to stay overnight with your father.”

  “Just so. However, if she does begin her labor, it will take some time since it’s her first, so all should be well.”

  A rapping at the door interrupted their conversation. Walter opened the door to admit Marcus Mallory who arrived at the doorway to the infirmary looking as if he had run the distance from his house. He was panting, sweating and almost wild-eyed.

  “What is it? Is Lizbeth all right?” Rayne hurried to the sink along the wall in the infirmary and washed her hands.

  “The baby.” Marcus took a couple of gulps of air. “It’s coming.”

  Chapter 10

  “Goodness. You have caught me right before I left for a trip out of town. Give me a moment to gather the supplies I will need.” She shook her head and muttered to no one in particular, “It appears my trip to see Father will need to be postponed.”

  She hurried away to collect what she needed. Lizbeth’s labor had started earlier than Rayne had thought, but if she was indeed carrying twins, it made sense that she would be early.

  “What can I do to help?” Edwin asked as she returned to the entrance hall and placed her medical bag on the floor and shrugged into her coat.

  Marcus looked over at Edwin, apparently recognizing him for the first time. “Why are you here?”

  Based on Marcus’s rather rude question, Carter had apparently shared with everyone in their circle of friends the story of Edwin’s clash with him over Lottie. To his benefit, Edwin did not cower or snap back at the man. “I help out in the infirmary occasionally. Dr. Stevens is good enough to accept my assistance.”

  Marcus’s brows climbed up his forehead. “Indeed? And does that leave you enough time to drink?”

  Rayne scowled. “That’s enough, Marcus, and quite rude. We have more important things to consider right now.”

  Marcus’s shoulders slumped and he looked a bit sheepish. “You are right, and I apologize Lord Sterling. I’m afraid I’m a bit flustered at the moment.”

  Edwin nodded. “Apology accepted.” He handed Rayne her bag. “I shall be happy to stay and receive visiting family members. Is anyone being sent home today?”

  “Yes. Thank you for the reminder. Mrs. Wilson’s husband will be by sometime this afternoon. I have all the instructions for her in the file on the top of my desk. Walter should be back from his errands shortly.”

  He opened the door to allow Rayne and Marcus to leave. “You have your carriage, Mr. Mallory?”

  “Yes.” Marcus took Rayne’s arm as they proceeded down the steps to the Mallory carriage sitting at the edge of the pavement.

  Once they were settled, Marcus shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. “It is not my business at all, but I could not have been more surprised to find Lord Sterling not only in your infirmary, but actually working there.”

  Rayne grinned. “Yes. It is a bit of a surprise, is it not?”

  Marcus lowered his voice. “I feel the need to warn you that Sterling is not a nice person. He has quite a—well deserved—reputation.”

  Rayne had no idea why, but she felt the need to defend the man. She thought of all his help with her finances, with standing on one leg for hours to bandage patients from the accident. Of sending a message to Addie so she could gather the other women to help her. She shook her head. “Perhaps he has a bad reputation, but I have not seen it.” God, of course, would forgive her for that little lie since he was certainly a bit of a mess when he first arrived.

  Marcus shook his head. “You don’t know what you are getting yourself into.”

  “I am not getting myself into anything, I assure you. I am grateful for Lord Sterling’s help. That is all.” She sniffed and turned her head, wondering if she had just told another lie. Was there more to Lord Sterling than someone who was helping her?

  After a few minutes of silence, she asked, “How long have you known Lord Sterling?”

  Marcus leaned back in the seat and rested his foot on his knee. “It seems most of my life. We were at Eton about the same time. Then, of course, we met at our clubs and at the numerous ton events, balls, and so forth in London. We were not what you might call close friends, however.”

  Aside from her initial confrontation with Edwin over the brandy, and the few suggestive remarks he’d made at the beginning of his treatment, since then he’d treated her with respect, caring, and even protectiveness. Considering what she’d seen so far, she wanted more information about him. He was truly a puzzle to her. “Was he always as he’s been the past few years? Drinking a lot, rowdy parties, that sort of thing? Even when he lived in London?”

  Marcus thought for a moment and she could see his expression go from pondering to
curiosity, and then speculation. “Actually, no. I mean, he did quite a bit of what all young gentlemen do, drinking, parties, gambling hells—he glanced at her and then glanced away—and other things.”

  “Mistresses?” She grinned.

  “Innocent young women are not supposed to know about that,” he chided.

  “And what makes you think I’m an innocent young woman?” Of course, she was innocent in a certain sense, and most likely the way he meant it, but for some reason it annoyed her that he thought her innocent. After all, while practicing medicine she’d certainly seen her share of things at which any young, innocent miss would most likely swoon.

  He looked surprised at first at her comment, then laughed. That annoyed her more. She must still be tired from her lack of sleep to allow these things to bother her. Hopefully, she could remain pleasant during the upcoming delivery, which could be quite challenging, but also one of her favorite tasks, seeing a new life emerge from a woman’s body.

  “Did you know Lord Sterling’s sister?” Since they were stuck in traffic and most likely Lizbeth’s labor would be for many hours, she might as well return to the subject at hand and get as much information about Edwin as she could from someone who knew him for years. The little bit she’d gleaned from Addie about Edwin’s sister wasn’t enough to satisfy her.

  “Yes. Lady Lydia. Died very young. That was a sad case.”

  Addie had mentioned an “undiagnosed illness.” Perhaps Marcus knew more. “How did she die?”

  He shook his head. “She unexpectedly retired to the family’s estate from London in the middle of the Season. A few weeks later we received word that she died from an ‘undiagnosed illness’.”

  Marcus’s information was the same as his sister’s. “That is very sad.”

  There was much more to that tale. In fact, it was so blatantly suspicious that she was surprised Marcus told the story with a straight face. But then men weren’t as interested in gossip or scandals as women were. Most times.

  He twisted in his seat and looked out the window. “We would make better time if we walked.”