Page 13 of The Gentleman Physician

“I will not,” she answered tartly, folding her hands in her lap. She tilted her chin up and glared down her nose at him with mock severity. “But you may tell me yours. I can usually count on you to be a perfect guest in my home, and you always find me amusing, so I must know what has caused this deep study of yours.”

Nathaniel couldn’t help but chuckle, though he cleared his throat and tried to assume a more professional countenance. “It is nothing of interest to you, my lady. Merely some personal matters that I should not carry with me when calling on my patients. How are you feeling today? I was given to understand from your note that you are not your usual self.”

“Indeed, I am not.” Her eyes gleamed at him, her lips pursed, but she finally shrugged and launched into a list of symptoms he could only treat with a few sympathetic words and an admonition to rest more.

“You keep very late hours, my lady. Perhaps you ought to stay in on occasion, or else take more frequent afternoon naps.”

“I find naps to be a complete waste of time,” she countered, reaching for her cup of tea and sipping delicately. “But I may decide not to attend as many evening events. Most women my age do not. Though I detest the very idea of weeding through my invitations.”

“I am certain you do. But I can assure you, Lady Huntington, that you have more energy than many people I know who are half your age.”

Her gray eyes sparkled and her lips quirked upward. “Do you think so? In your professional opinion?”

“Undoubtedly. There are many unable to keep up with your social schedule.” He spoke the words truthfully enough. The old woman delighted him, and he could tell she thrived in keeping busy. “But if you want to remain in good health, there are a few concessions you should make. Taking only one night off in a week may go a long way to improving your health. I would also recommend you take some exercise in the sunshine when it comes out. A little of its nourishing light could set you up as nicely as a turn in the pump room.”

She leaned forward slightly and narrowed her eyes at him. “Doctor Hastings, a man in your profession should never slight the waters of this ancient town. But as you have proven to be an excellent physician thus far, I will do exactly as you say.”

“Thank you, Lady Huntington.” He had to resist smiling again, pleased with her praise as much as he was diverted by it. “Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”

“Yes.” She sat fully upright and rang a small bell. A maid entered the room, holding a tray with a slip of paper upon it. “I need your help with something outside of your usual services, I’m afraid.”

“Oh?” Nathaniel took the card when the maid offered it, but he waited until she curtsied and left to study it more carefully. “This is an invitation to the Whitten concert.”

“Indeed, it is. Issued to myself and my great-niece, who is something of an artist when it comes to the pianoforte. She has been asked to play. Lady Whitten is one of my dearest friends, but I cannot abide her husband, sons, or her taste in decoration.” Lady Huntington sniffed, her haughty expression returning. “Yet I cannot deny my great-niece an opportunity to exhibit her skills to such an audience. Especially when she is stuck in Bath this season. The girl ought to be in London.”

Nathaniel heard warning bells chime in his ears, but he knew he must ask the question anyway. “What would you like me to do, my lady?”

“I would like you to escort her, and her companion of course, to the event. I will take that as my night at home resting, as you suggested.”

How she was able to turn his advice against him with such swiftness, he had no idea. The woman had a sharp mind to match her quick wit.

“Are you sure, my lady?” he asked, turning the invitation over in his hands. Not many such cards came to him. While physicians could move among the more genteel members of society, it was rare anyone wanted him to attend important events. Unless they needed to fill in a seat at their table.

Nathaniel was too young to mingle in a society where the ladies closer to his age were meant to be finding wealthy husbands. As a second son, he had known this fact for many years, and it no longer bothered him.

“I am always certain of my choices, young man.” She smoothed out her skirts and fiddled with the rings on her fingers. “And you needn’t worry I’m trying to match-make. I know full well that my great-niece would not suit you. Her artistic frame of mind comes with a flighty nature. But I have told Lady Whitten a great deal about you and how I have come to depend upon your care. I think, should you attend this event as Felicity’s escort, you may find yourself with more patrons.”

Understanding her motives, Nathaniel studied the invitation in his hands once more, his fondness for her growing.

“Lady Huntington, thank you. I am honored by your attention.”

She waved her hand carelessly, cutting off any further words of thanks he might attempt. “Tush. You are a fine man and an excellent doctor. I have no doubt that your patronage will increase in years to come, as others learn of you. And though I am loathe to share your attention, I want to make certain you remain in Bath for the foreseeable future.”

Though her interference wasn’t necessary, Nathaniel appreciated the gesture, and stood to bow over her hand. The woman was an absolute gem. “Thank you, my lady. Should I call upon your great-niece here? Miss Felicity?”

“Yes, that will do nicely. I will see you three evenings hence.” She bowed her head in a stately manner and he took his leave, tucking the invitation in his coat.

When he exited her home, ready to go on to Lord Heatherton’s, he noted with some relief that the rain had stopped. Which made a strange sort of sense, given that he would be able to obtain his umbrella at the very next house on his rounds.

Nathaniel went up the steps and raised his hand to knock, only to pause when he heard shrieks coming from inside. It sounded as though one of the children was having a fit of hysterics. Fearing an injury had occurred, Nathaniel shoved open the door and rushed inside, hurrying to the foot of the staircase. He stopped, trying to ascertain where the noise was coming from.

“Watch out,” a woman’s voice shouted above him, and he looked up in time to see a little boy hurtling down the banister at a break-neck speed. Nathaniel reflexively dropped his bag and raised both arms in time to catch Phillip, the older of the two boys. The weight of the child sent him staggering backwards several steps, but he kept his feet on the ground and the boy in his arms.

“Good catch, Doctor,” the boy said in a tone of congratulations. The little scamp was grinning ear-to-ear and panting as though he’d run a foot race.

“Phillip.” The voice that had called out a warning, Julia’s voice, brought Nathaniel’s eyes back up to the stairs. “I told you we could play only if we remained quiet.”

Julia fairly flew down the steps. He bit back a call of warning, thinking that her haste could only result in an accident, but she stopped a few steps from the bottom and stared at him.