The mere remembrance of her name caused him to shift uncomfortably in his seat, but he would not be deterred. He took a sip of his coffee and placed it down on the saucer.
“I did not say that I never had a female student. I said I never had a lady student. Grace Sharpe is an earl’s daughter, a lady of first society.” He picked up his fork and pushed the last lone sausage on his plate back and forth as he spoke. “Everyone knows that members of the ton are incapable of hard work.”
Dr. Barkley laughed.
“My, what a snob you are.”
James sneered at him.
“Am I? Tell me, who do you know that was born into such a world that has ever put off their leisurely lifestyles and chose towork instead?” When the doctor did not answer, James smirked with vindication. “You can’t think of anyone, can you?”
“The Marquis of Eneshire was rather helpful in the pursuit of artifacts during an archeological dig—”
“I don’t mean people who throw monies at their hobbies. I mean people who take up their own hands,” he said, raising his. “And work with them.”
“Do not discredit the patrons, James. It’s at their discretion that many a science and art is studied.”
“Which is criminal, in my opinion.”
“Criminal or not, my reformist friend, it is the way of it.” Dr. Barkley pointed at his friend. “And do you see now why I thought you a fitting teacher for the Sharpe woman?”
James scoffed.
“I’m no reformist.”
“Says the man who believes schools should be socially funded.”
“If there was ever a way to advance a society, it would be through education.”
“If you truly believe that, then you wouldn’t find any issue with Miss Sharpe searching for a teacher.”
James opened his mouth to argue, but snapped it shut when he could not think of anything else to say. It was true that he believed in education for all, not just the well to do, but he also staunchly believed in the lacking character in members of the ton.
Perhaps it was because he himself had grown up so poor, or perhaps that he understood where he would be without the support of someone more financially stable than himself, but the truth was that his distrust of the ton was more personal.
James leaned back in his chair and lifted his gaze to the plaster ceiling. There was no use in trying to convince Dr. Barkley that he was wrong, particularly when he was so keen onthe girl. If he had any wit about him, James would refuse the old man outright, but even as tempting as an idea as that was, James knew it was an impossibility.
He owed his entire practice to Dr. Barkley, nae, his entire life to the old man, as he was the one who first took an interest in his future when James was a lad.
Sighing, James glanced down at his plate and stabbed a sausage link with his fork. Yes, he would do this favor for his mentor, but he’d be sure to let him and everyone else know just how ridiculous he felt about it.
A lady as a doctor… It was preposterous.
“Very well,” he said, annoying even himself at how mulish he sounded. He cleared his throat. “But do not be surprised when this goes up in flames.”
Dr. Barkley shook his head.
“How can it? Miss Sharpe is of sound mind, better at handling a scalpel than even you, I might say. As long as you teach her everything you know, I daresay she may be one of the leading physicians in Scotland one day.”
James laughed incredulously and stood up once more. He pushed back the curtains again and peered out his window, spying as the last of the boxes and cartons were carried off inside.
“I wonder by what divine intervention you’ve managed to see to it that my house should sit directly behind Lady Belle’s.”
“Divine intervention? Nonsense,” Dr. Barkley said as he himself stood. “I told you five years ago when you bought this place that it was very near Lady Belle’s home.”
James made a “humph” noise as if to say he didn’t believe him, but then there seemed to be some movement in a second story window. It seemed whatever room Miss Sharpe was in would be directly across the way from his own bedchamber. Squinting, James saw a mop of dark curls, tied up above apeach-colored gown, darting from one window to the next and back again, as if she were hopping about the room. There was no doubt in his mind who this woman was, and as much as he scowled, he felt a flicker of excitement pulsate through his body.
That, of course, meant nothing. As a man of science, James had long since learned that matters of attraction were animalistic in nature. He could sooner stop his stomach from rumbling when it was hungry or wet his mouth when he was parched. These were basic needs and aroused feelings weren’t any different. In fact, he’d rather be aware of it now than be surprised at some other point in their time together.
