But it was still interesting. He found the resolute woman attractive. It was her determination that had caught his attention in the first place. Not her hair color, nor her shapely, healthy form, but her clear voice and the perfect enunciation of words likelatissimus dorsi, as he had heard her say nearly two years ago when they had first met when Graham MacKinnon had been shot.
Yet ever since their discussion at Lismore Hall several months prior, he had found himself thinking about her from time to time. When he had dashed her dreams, the lady did not cry or beg or make a scene. She merely stated that since she wasn’t his student, she didn’t have any reason to listen to him. He had found it amusing, if a little rude, and had gone off to find her to tell her so, but then he hadn’t been able to find her again that night.
“It looks as though they’ve arrived early,” Dr. Barkley said, pointing up at the window.
“Were they not supposed to arrive the day after tomorrow?”
“Yes, but you know Lady Belle. Her desires change with the wind,” he said fondly. “I suppose she’s eager to set her charges up in society.”
James glanced at his friend.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Miss Arabella Scott has been placed in Lady Belle’s charge for the season and she and Miss Sharpe will be participating in town life. It was the only way Lady Belle would condone her niece living in the city.”
James stepped back from the window, appalled.
“And when is she supposed to fit in a social life? As my student, I expect her full and utmost attention. I will not have her slacking because she is too tired to attend me due to some hangover from an opera the previous night or carousing at some ball until all hours of the morning.”
Dr. Barkley’s brow lifted.
“And here I thought you weren’t excited about having a student.”
“Excited? No. But if I’m to have one, then I will have her undivided attention.”
“Well then, you might discuss that with Lady Belle the night after tomorrow. You’ve been invited to dine with them.”
James nodded, turning away from the window once more. He had received an invitation from Lismore Hall about a dinner at the end of this week.
“Oh, but what’s this?” Dr. Barkley said, peering out the window himself. “It appears one of the lady’s footmen is on his way here.”
Both men made their way away from the window. Within minutes, James’s housekeeper, Mrs. Cramer, entered the dining room followed by a youthful footman with black hair and serious eyes.
“Dr. Hall? A message from Lady Belle Smyth.”
James reached for the letter.
“Thank you.”
The footman bowed and hurriedly left, followed by the housemaid. Tearing the edges of the envelope with his fingers, James unfolded the missive.
“Well, it seems our presence is required earlier than the day after tomorrow,” he read, gazing up. “Lady Belle is feeling somewhat jolty since her arrival to Glasgow.”
“Jolty?”
“It’s what she’s written.”
He handed the note to Dr. Barkley, who let out a laugh, nearly startling James.
“That woman will do anything to have her way,” he murmured before handing the note back to James. “Unfortunately, I’ve not the time to attend her here. I’ve already been gone too long from Glencoe, and I must leave before noon if I’m going to make it there before nightfall.”
James tilted his head.
“You wish me to see her alone?”
“You are her other physician.”
“This is not a home visit about her health and you know it. She wishes to lay out her plans and bully me into agreeing with her.”
