Page 4 of The Gentleman Physician

“I will write pages and pages to you,” Julia promised. “And it will not be as agonizing as you think. You will see. You will have adventures, and I’ll read every word you write, relieved that I am not as busy as you.”

Rebecca laughed again but sobered almost at once. “I checked the maps in the library. We will be over one hundred miles apart. We have never been that far from each other.”

“I know.” Julia pulled her sister close in another embrace. “But all little birds must fly the nest eventually.” She kissed her sister’s cheek. “It’s now up to you whether you soar above the clouds or go plummeting to the earth. Spread your wings, hope for the best, and I will do the same.”

Rebecca nodded and forced a pleasant expression on her face. “Will you help me? I’m not sure what to take with me.”

Julia called for a maid to assist her packing hours later, after soothing her sister’s fears and consulting with her about what to take to London. She had to dissuade Rebecca from taking half the library in her trunks.

Though the two of them shared many common features, the same dark curls, a similar delicate build, they had plenty of differences too. While Rebecca had a fine bone structure, she had grown taller than Julia in the past year. Julia’s eyes were brown with liberal dashes of green, but Rebecca’s were dark as chocolate. They had the same dark hair, all curls and waves that snarled if not properly braided for bed.

But their temperaments were the most different. Julia did all things in moderation, Rebecca often kept her opinion to herself, and their sister Christine regularly threw away caution to do as she thought best.

Rebecca would leave the day after Julia climbed into her father’s coach. Everything had been arranged hastily, with letters travelling from London to Kettering as Aunt Jacqueline sorted out all the details. Before their sister and Thomas Gilbert even spoke their vows, the plans were underway for Rebecca’s reeducation and Julia’s exile.

Julia did not know what the trip to Bath would bring for her. Aunt Jacqueline’s letters informed her that Virginia and her family were in Bath for the Baron’s health but included none of the details of his illness.

Resolved to handle herself with dignity, and well-schooled in hiding her thoughts and emotions, Julia could at least promise herself that none would know how her heart missed her sisters or how she would worry for them.

When morning came and Julia entered the carriage, her sister came to see her off. Their father doubtless worked in his study.

“I will write as soon as I get to London,” Rebecca promised, giving her sister one last embrace.

“As will I. Take care, darling, and behave yourself for Aunt.”

Rebecca nodded and sniffed back her tears, putting on a brave face. But as the coach pulled away, Julia watched from the windows and saw her sister raise a hand to dash at her eyes.

Julia felt lonelier than she had in years. As her father’s home and her sister’s tears fell behind her, she at last allowed herself a few moments of misery. No one was in the carriage with her to see her cry. Her father had not even give her the courtesy of a maid to guard her reputation, so little did he value her.

This last sign of rejection from him hurt, as though he’d slapped her across the cheek, leaving her bruised. Since the death of their mother, Julia had to be the comforter in the family, which left no one to soothe her own fears and sorrows.

Her heart had not been this battered since her disastrous London season, five years past, when it had been broken because of a man with intelligent blue eyes and a gentle smile.

Nathaniel.

As she gave way to her feelings, Julia allowed herself to think on those eyes and their owner.

Once, she well knew, her happiness could have been secured. If she had been brave and revealed more of what she felt—but instead, years of loneliness and heartache were her lot, both behind and ahead of her.

As the wheels tumbled over ruts and bumps in the road, Julia took a deep breath and reconstructed the careful mask she wore. She put the broken pieces of her heart back into the fortified walls she had built around it. Those walls had stood since the day she denied her love for a man her father deemed unworthy, and they must continue to protect her.

Chapter Two

Julia stepped down from the coach with the assistance of a smartly dressed footman and an instant later found herself enveloped in an embrace, right upon the street, in front of her cousin’s townhouse. She barely had time to take in Virginia’s appearance before the exuberant welcome took place.

“Oh, Julia, I am grateful you’ve come.” Virginia stepped back, maintaining a gentle hold on Julia’s arms, her forest green eyes bright. “It is a relief to have you here. And look at you, lovely even after an exhausting carriage ride.”

Although taken aback by the enthusiasm, Virginia’s graciousness warmed Julia and the tightness in her stomach relaxed. Perhaps this visit would be an opportunity to rekindle their friendship instead of the drudgery or boredom her father had anticipated for her.

“Virginia, it’s wonderful to see you again.”

Her cousin was taller than Julia by several inches and giving birth to two boys had given curves to her once willowy figure. But her golden curls and lovely smile remained the same as ever.

“Come inside and out of the cold. I have a pot of coffee waiting and a fire in my sitting room.” Virginia led the way through the front door and into the marble hall of her spacious entryway. The walls were covered in fine things, including a large gilded mirror which reflected Julia’s tired eyes back at her.

A handful of servants stood in a row, along the wall, opposite the stair. The butler took her things and handed them to another footman. The housekeeper and maids curtsied.

“I understood you could not bring a maid with you. I have asked that Emily wait on you during your time with us. I know you will find her service impeccable.” Virginia gestured to a young woman in a dark dress and apron. The maid curtsied, eyes downcast, but she looked pleased at the compliment.