“Yes?”
“How is she?”
“Bruised but otherwise unharmed.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“What are your intentions, Dr. Hall? I know I am a senile old woman, but I am not blind. You care for my niece a great deal and I wish to know your intentions.”
James sighed, scratching his beard for a moment.
“I doubt anyone would ever accuse you of being senile, Lady Belle. In regards to Grace, however, I am fond of her. More than fond, actually. I love her.” Belle smiled. “But she does not wish to marry. At least, not until her apprenticeship is over with and she is a fully fledged physician.”
Belle frowned.
“Yes, I thought so. Well then, I suppose there is no helping it. Grace will have what she wants. But afterwards, Dr. Hall. What about when she reaches her goal, what then?”
He shook his head.
“I do not know. But I promise that I will only ever be in the business of making her happy. I do not care if she ever marries me. I just wish to be by her side always. I want to be there for her as no other person can or will be.”
Aunt Belle smirked, seemingly satisfied.
“Good. Then I believe you will be.”
He let out a soft, pitiful laugh.
“Until she realizes how much better she can do.”
Aunt Belle’s smirk vanished.
“Do not question the loyalty of a Sharpe woman, Dr. Hall. Grace is her own person, but she looks at you the same way Hope sees her Graham or how Faith sees her Logan. I believe you will have your own bride, given the time and the gentle touch I know all you doctors to possess.”
With that, Aunt Belle turned, as did the cat, and before he could stop himself, he hurried forward.
“Let me help you down the stairs.”
“What a dear. I shall be very happy indeed when I get to call you my nephew-in-law.”
Epilogue
Three years later, Lismore Hall
The warmth fromthe parlor fire’s blaze was enough to make Grace second guess her wool plaid dress that was trimmed with gold thread. It was a fine gown, far fancier than her usual attire, but one that was expected for Hogmanay celebrations.
Glancing around the room, it was a sight that would always warm her heart for years to come. Wedged between a frail Aunt Belle and Dr. Barkley sat Hope and Graham’s eldest of three children, a girl named Fiona as they read from a large book. Grace could not see, but by the look in Aunt Belle’s eye, it was something exciting. The twins, Elanor and Gregory who were barely two, were cackling with glee at Andrews, who was making faces behind a paper mask that he kept moving in front of his face, causing the two to giggle wildly.
Graham was speaking to Logan and Faith, who were swinging their own child, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy named Ian, by the arms back and forth, as it was proving to be the only thing to keep his attention for very long. Mrs. Fletcher was in a conversation with James as well, as a pregnant Rose, Aunt Belle’s former secretary, tried to gather the McTavish clan together so that they could be ready to sing in the New Year. Of course, she was finding it difficult as they were all scattered throughout the room, dancing and chatting loudly amongst themselves. Penguin the cat chased Jaco the dog around thechairs, causing a great fit of laughter, and Arabella chuckled from the corner of the room. The elderly Mr. Scott was telling her what appeared to be an amusing story, judging by her smile.
It had been a long time since everyone was together like this. For the past three years, Grace herself had been working tirelessly on her career. Having finished her apprenticeship six months ago, she had just returned to Scotland the day before from a surgical stint in Italy, where she had studied under the very surgeon who had performed Aunt Belle’s surgery five years earlier.
She had barely been able to speak to James privately upon her return before they had to embark on a journey north to Lismore Hall.
James had stayed in Glasgow during Grace’s time in Italy, and while their correspondence had been strong during her time away, the atmosphere between them had felt somewhat strained since her return. Of course, they had been traveling with James’s aunt the whole time, as she had come to live in Glasgow with James in recent months. But even after their arrival, dinner and whatnot, Grace couldn’t help but watch him and worry that perhaps his feelings for her had lessened over time.
Staring at him now, he must have felt her gaze, for he turned back to look at her.
