Page 31 of The Gentleman Physician

Though they were said with gentleness, those two words shattered Julia’s composure. She should not have used his Christian name. They did not, nor could they ever, have that kind of relationship again. He made that quite clear in the study.

She glared at her hand and gave her glove one more fierce tug, then turned away from him and hastily fled from the house. She did not even take another glimpse behind her, but walked at a brisk pace, forgetting her plans to go on to the shops or hail a carriage.

Her embarrassment and anxiety over her behavior spurred her on enough that she made the walk to the townhouse with more speed than ever before.

Chapter Twelve

Lady Huntington had asked Nathaniel to tea. She sent a card through her footman and made it clear, in her steady, bold handwriting, that this was a social call and not an appointment with her physician. He couldn’t imagine why the distinction was necessary, as most of his calls on her wound up being more conversational than medical in nature. But as she remained one of his favorite patients, he accepted the invitation.

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.”