Browning looked at him hard for several long seconds, as though attempting to discern any potential deceit in Sebastian’s words. When he appeared to find none, he gave a curt nod.
“Alright, then. It is settled. If you’ll have her still, then you have my blessing. You will have to secure her own blessing, however.”
“I’m sure she will be as pleasant as always. I have never found her to be anything but.”
Browning’s laughter was sudden and booming, making Sebastian step back at his friend’s heel-turn change in mood.
“That is quite funny,” Browning said, still laughing. “Very, very funny.”
“What do you mean?” Sebastian asked, confused.
Browning shrugged as his chuckles died down. “Oh…nothing. Here, let us celebrate.”
Bringing out another decanter, he poured a few more drinks. Together, they finished out their business deal with great mirth - Sebastian for his changing fortunes, and Browning for the future marriage of his dear sister.
Chapter Eleven
“Now remember, discretion is key, even with the servants. We are simply two people calling on a friend. Do not call me doctor, simply refer to me as Bennet, alright?”
It was not the first time that Dr. Pinkton had given Augusta such a rundown during their work together. Since he had gathered her from a lonely spot in the park that morning, where she had left Milly to remain, he had been more skittish than she had ever seen the man.
“You have my word, Bennet.”
To her surprise, he did not cringe against the familiarity. Then again, he was not in society; he was likely used to some of those formalities dropping away in his personal life.
“And you are certain your maid will not talk?”
“No one can ever be certain about anything, Dr. Pinkton-”
“Bennet.”
“Bennet. No one can be certain, but Milly has always been happy to keep my activities discreet so long as I give her healthy sums and treat her amiably. I have no reason to think she will not do so today. She is in possibly the best position a maid could be in - flush with money and now with an afternoon entirely to herself in peace. I do not see why she would risk it.”
Dr. Pinkton frowned, but accepted her answer.
It surprised Augusta some that it was not herself who felt so discomposed. If anything, she felt calmer attending him to the home of Lady Wallingford than she did attending a lecture wherein not a single soul would know her face. Perhaps because she knew what it was like to keep a secret in theton. She knew what lengths Lady Wallingford would go to in order to keep this visit from becoming public knowledge.
Therefore, seeing Dr. Pinkton become so squeamish about the very situation that he himself had created was, in an ironic way, a bit humorous to Augusta.
“Think of it this way. If we end up in the society papers, it shall only drum up more business.”
Dr. Pinkton nearly choked as his eyes flew up to hers, widening. “It would drum up utter ruin! Oh-” he sighed, seeing the smirk on her face. “You are joking, I see. I apologize, I am not used to you doing that.”
“Quite alright. Neither am I.” Were it not for the fact that the carriage had just rounded the corner to the home of her nextreal lifepatient, or the fact that her mood overall these past few weeks had been bolstered by the very man she attempted not to think about, she might not be in such a state to have a laugh.
“What makes you so jumpy, Bennet? Is there something different about this visit?”
The man shrugged. “I do not know. I just have this terrible feeling with new patients sometimes, and I worry that this will be the moment we are found out. I would hate to have done that to you, Miss Browning.”
His words stoked some of the flames of her own anxieties, though she forced them down. “Do not worry about my future. I have made my choices, and I do not regret a single one of them. You are not my keeper, Iassure you.”
He offered her nothing but a small smile at that.
As it was, the Wallingford home sprawled out before them. As they pulled up to the front, Augusta allowed the footman to help her out of the carriage. Dr. Pinkton remained close behind her.
Lord Wallingford, a man in his forties with graying hair and a kind smile, met them at the front steps.
“Ah, Miss Browning,” he said kindly. “So good to see you again. And, of course, we aredelightedto meet your cousin here.”
