“So you’re married?”
“No.” He flushed a bit. “I moved here with my mother and father and three brothers. My siblings are much younger, and my parents had need of me.”
“Admirable indeed, sir.” Lakewood nodded.
Dr. Harvey interrupted. “If you’ll excuse us, we were about to have tea in my office.”
“Oh, do invite the students to join us,” Lakewood more commanded than requested. “I’d like to hear more about their studies.”
Harvey seemed surprised by the request but wasn’t going to refuse the request of a donor. “Do join us, students. If you have the time.”
“I can come,” Malcolm said, grinning from ear to ear.
Faith considered her schedule. “I suppose I can join you for a short time as well.”
The others declined, having projects that required their attention. They seemed as disinterested as Faith felt. Only Malcolm remained enthusiastic.
“You may leave your things here,” Dr. Harvey instructed. “We shall be just across the hall in my office.”
Dr. Harvey led the way, stopping only long enough to ask his secretary to bring refreshments for two more.
“I must say, this is quite fortuitous, getting to meet you,” Gerome Berkshire said, coming alongside Faith and stopping her just inside the office door. “I believe you are related to my friend Nancy Pritchard. Oh dear. I should correct myself.Nancy Carpenter. I believe she remarried very shortly after her husband’s death.”
Faith heard the disapproval in his tone. “Yes, Nancy is my cousin. We’re quite close.” She hoped her tone made it clear that she wouldn’t brook any insult to Nancy.
“Of course,” he said, smiling. “It seems that your family are all very close. I have enjoyed my own special relationship with your cousin.”
“From what I’ve been told, your relationship was with her first husband. You were business partners—at least from time to time.”
Berkshire sobered. “Yes, Albert Pritchard was a dear friend. He was like a brother, really.”
“I’m sure his loss was difficult for you, Mr. Berkshire.”
“Call me Gerome, as Nancy does.” He smiled. “I should like for us to be very close friends. Perhaps even more. Perhaps you would allow me to accompany you to the opera on Friday.”
Faith was surprised at how quickly he’d maneuvered the conversation into an unwelcome personal invitation. She glanced across the room to where Malcolm was doing his best to juggle a cup and saucer and entertain Dr. Harvey and Mr. Lakewood. For once she envied her friend.
“I’m afraid, Mr. Berkshire, that I am rather devoted to my work.”
“But surely a beautiful woman such as yourself longs for other things as well.”
“What I long for is far too personal a matter to be discussed with a stranger.”
“But that is my point, Miss Kenner. I’d like for us to be friends and no longer strangers.”
Faith knew from Nancy that Berkshire possessed a persistence that edged well into inappropriateness. Still, she didn’t wish to make a scene.
“I believe my God-given calling is to be a doctor,” she said after a moment of silence. “I’ve felt that way since I was young. To be called by God to such an important matter means a great deal to me and must remain my heart and driving focus. I am sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Berkshire.”
“I would love for you to join us, Miss Kenner,” Mr. Lakewood called, casting a knowing look at Berkshire. “You too, Gerome.”
She smiled and sighed in relief. Berkshire was every bit as obnoxious and pushy as Nancy had described.
“Miss Kenner,” Mr. Lakewood said as she joined them and accepted a cup of tea, “I was just telling these gentlemen that my wife is hosting a tea next Wednesday. I believe she and her friends would love to hear about your endeavors to become a surgeon. Would you consider coming to speak to them? It would be at three in the afternoon.”
Faith smiled. Lakewood struck her as quite the gentleman. “I would be honored, sir.”
She looked at Dr. Harvey, who nodded with a wide smile. “I told you she would be delighted,” he said, sounding quite excited.
