Page 32 of The Gentleman Physician

She served him in silence, perhaps intentionally allowing him to think on her words. She even deigned to nibble quietly on her own refreshment, keeping her eyes lowered in a deceptively innocent manner.

What she said made perfect sense. Nathaniel knew that bachelors in society were usually granted a great deal of leeway, forgiveness, and freedom that single women would never be afforded. But he was not exactly a part of society when he was going about his business as a physician. Indeed, when he thought on other doctors in Bath, he realized most were either elderly, married, or both. None of them could really be seen, by society’s standards, as a danger to a woman’s reputation.

“Marriage has been on my mind of late.” The admittance brought heat into his face, and he would never say as much to Timothy, but it was true.

“You needn’t scowl so severely when you speak of matrimony.”

He realized he’d been frowning and he quickly altered his features into what he hoped passed for a contrite smile. “My apologies. It is only that this is such a new thought for me. I have been focused on my practice, not my personal life.”

“And yet your practice would greatly benefit from a little attention to that personal life, which I fear is nonexistent at present. Do you ever do anything for entertainment’s sake? Attend the theater? The Pump Room? Assemblies? I have never seen you anywhere other than this house.”

“I am afraid not. The life of a doctor is busy enough, I hardly need entertaining,” he confessed, lacing his hands together in front of him as he considered her questions. “Is that a failing, too?”

“I should think so. Even the greatest minds need a little diversion now and again.”

“And at these events, do you think I could be so fortunate as to find a willing lady to marry me? If we are being candid, my lady, we both know that I am not a catch by society’s standards.”

“Then it’s a good thing young people are marrying for more romantic reasons these days. Oh, I’m not saying you ought to set your sights on any granddaughters of dukes or nieces of earls. But you will find any number of gentlemen’s daughters who would be proud to be seen on your arm.” Her expression turned playful, the wrinkles around her smile deepening. “I can think of at least three such girls of my acquaintance who wouldn’t object to standing up with you, and that is how it all starts.”

Nathaniel could not be as hopeful as she, given his previous experience with Julia. And that little romance had started with a glance across a crowded street in London, not in a glittering ballroom. He raised his hand to his temple, forcing away the memory of that first meeting.

He could barely manage to go half an hour without thinking of her, and more often than not, his remembrances were fond instead of hurtful.

Nathaniel realized he had not yet kept his word to Lady Heatherton in regards to Julia’s employment prospects. Perhaps doing so would effectively change the subject from his bachelorhood to something easier to discuss.

“Lady Huntington, I wonder if you might know of a position for a woman of gentle birth and good education. She is hoping to find employment as a governess or companion, and she is of good character.” It wasn’t the most subtle change in conversation, but Nathaniel’s desperation to leave the subject of matrimony behind necessitated a hasty verbal retreat.

When he met her ladyship’s eyes, he wondered at the way they suddenly narrowed. Her lips pursed and she tilted her head to the side.

“The woman’s name?” Her tone was decidedly calculating.

“Miss Julia Devon. She is cousin to the Baroness of Heatherton.” He didn’t like the way the elderly lady studied him.

“Is she pretty? It is difficult to find a place for pretty young women.”

He swallowed and wished his cravat was tied more loosely. Perhaps he ought to forget a wife and get a valet who knew how best to manage the thing. “She is a handsome woman, yes.”

“Ah. And you know her well?”

“We have been acquainted for several years,” he answered, turning his attention to another sandwich and trying to appear calm. He needed to conceal what he truly felt about Julia, about their former attachment, but Lady Huntington could not possibly guess at such things from a few short remarks. Or could she?

“And she would rather be a governess or companion than your wife?”

Apparently, she could. Nathaniel choked on his bite of sandwich and raised a fist to his mouth, coughing to dislodge the suddenly dry bread from his throat.

“Doctor Hastings, you become more fascinating every time we meet.” She started laughing and passed his teacup to him. “Take a drink. Get it all down.”

He hastily obeyed, but it took several swallows and another good cough before he felt capable of speaking again. “Pardon me, my lady, but you took me by surprise.”

“You are not the first to have said such a thing to me.” She chuckled and sat straighter, running a ring-laden hand down the front of her dress, reminding him of a bird preening its feathers. “At my age, I hardly need to mince about a matter. It is always better to come straight to the point. One moment we were talking about you finding a wife, and the next you want my help finding a position for Miss Julia Devon—whoever she may be. The connection between the two topics is obviously well made in your mind. Tell me about her.”

And although dwelling on Julia had been the last thing Nathaniel wanted to do, once he started speaking of her, it was difficult to stop.

“She is dark-haired, of average height, and handsome. She is three and twenty. As I said, Miss Devon is well-educated and is both refined and has excellent manners. She always struck me as very practical. I know she had only a single season in London. Her father is a gentleman with a great many investments and business ties, but apart from an aunt who married an earl, she has no true ties to nobility.”

He stopped watching Lady Huntington’s reaction to his words, his eyes losing focus as he thought about Julia and how best to explain her to someone else.

“I know she is seeking employment as a way to find independence from her family. It surprised me at first, but the more I think of her character and nature, the more it makes sense.”