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A man stood in the room, facing the window, his hands tucked behind his back. He turned at the sound of her entering the room.
Natalie held out her hand. “Mr. Nichols, I am Mrs. Shaw, Dr. Rayne’s nursing assistant.”
He looked surprised, but she assumed he had expected to see Dr. Rayne. “I’m afraid Dr. Rayne is with another patient right now. If you take a seat, I will gather some information so the doctor can help you.”
Mr. Nichols sat, his back straight, one leg crossed over the other. “I must admit I was surprised to discover Dr. Rayne was a woman, and now I’m doubly surprised to see that her nursing assistant is a woman, as well.”
Natalie laughed. “I am Dr. Rayne’s sister, and we were both raised in a medical home. Our father was a doctor before he passed.” She looked down at her pad. “What is your full name?”
“Mr. Gerard Nichols.”
“Your direction?”
They spent a few minutes speaking about Mr. Nichols’ ailment, which seemed to be recurring headaches. Natalie took copious notes to make sure Rayne had all the information she needed.
They both looked up when Annalise entered the house. “Mama, I have a book I must read before tomorrow. Do you think Lord St. John can help me with it?”
Natalie felt her cheeks grow warm. “I am sure he has many things to do, darling. Why don’t you go to the kitchen and get milk and biscuits. We will be leaving for home in about an hour. I can help you with your book this evening.”
She continued to stand there and, finally, after a huff, left the room. This display was something Natalie needed to address when they returned home. Especially in front of a new patient. She looked over at Mr. Nichols. “I am sorry, Mr. Nichols.”
He waved his hand in dismissal. “She is a lovely little girl. How old is she?”
“Six years. And thank you very much.”
To her surprise, he stood. “I find I must make an appointment for another day. I just now remembered something I must do this afternoon. Will you pass my information on to Dr. Rayne, and I will be in touch with her?”
“Yes, of course.” Natalie stood, fumbling with the pad and pencil on her lap. “We are open Monday through Friday from eight in the morning until about four in the afternoon. Some days later if something comes up that needs Dr. Rayne’s attention.”
“Then you don’t live here?”
Natalie shook her head. “No. When my father was practicing here, my two sisters and I lived upstairs our whole lives. But when my sister married Lord Sterling, he insisted my sister have her home away from her medical practice. It’s not far from here if she needs to do something in the infirmary after we are closed.”
He picked up his hat from where it rested on the chair alongside him. “Well, I will be off then. Thank you for your time, Mrs. Shaw.”
“Who was that?” Rayne asked after she walked Mr. and Mrs. Martin to the front door.
Natalie hesitated for a moment. “A Mr. Nichols.” She held up the pad she’d made her notes on. “He said he suffered oftentimes from headaches, but, before he was able to see you, he remembered something he said he had to do this afternoon.”
Rayne shrugged and looked at her timepiece. “I am not expecting anyone else today so I think we should clean up and head for home. Is Annalise here?”
“Yes. She’s in the kitchen having a snack.” The sisters walked to the kitchen and stopped outside the door. Annalise was busy speaking with the cook.
“Would you believe she said she had a book that she must read before school tomorrow? Then she proceeded to ask if Lord St. John could help her with it.”
They both laughed, and Rayne said, “It sounds as though St. John has won over Annalise.” She stopped just before the entrance to the kitchen. “What about her mama, though? Has he won her over?”
Natalie wrapped her arms around her middle. “I’m not sure.” She looked at her sister. “If I had never been married to Milton and never experienced how terrible a man can be to his wife, I would not hesitate about Alex for one minute. But in the back of my mind …”
“You were with him for five days. During that time did you see any untoward behavior?”
“No.”
“Did anyone at the wedding, who I am sure know St. John better than you do, speak ill of him?”
“No.”
“Did you find out why she broke their engagement?”
