“That is quite exciting,” said Mrs. Finch.
Felicity nodded. “Quite. How lucky that you were on hand, Dr. Vaughn.”
But the gentleman shook his head. “While I was quite happy to be of assistance, I assure you Miss Templeton was managing without me.”
“You are too kind, sir,” replied Violet, her cheeks warming. “I assure you that your work is what saved his leg.”
“And I assure you that is not so, Miss Templeton,” he replied with a frown. “It was you who thought to lay your cloak to keep him out of the dirt as much as possible and rallied the onlookers—who were more concerned with gawking than being of use. To say nothing of the fact that you were as good as three dressers. Time was of the essence, and because of your assistance, I was able to focus entirely on the surgery, which saved his leg and possibly his life.”
Dr. Vaughn spoke with absolute certainty, as though his words were more than mere opinion but hardened fact. Immovable and unassailable. And Violet felt as fidgety as a child at church. Whatever chill she might’ve felt a moment ago fled at the flood of warmth his compliment drew forth. It burned in her heart, spreading through her until it suffused her entire being.
“Then it is a blessing we were both there, sir,” said Violet.
Dr. Vaughn bowed in acquiescence, though there was a challenge in his eye that said he did not fully accept her statement. Which only made her fidget more. But when the conversation lapsed, the gentleman shifted in place, his implacable expression softening as his gaze darted between the ladies and his feet.
“I do apologize for having interrupted. I didn’t mean to… I had hoped to…” he mumbled.
With a furrowed brow, Violet stared at the fellow, wondering what had him so discomposed all of the sudden. But it was at that moment that Mrs. Finch straightened, her eyes following Dr. Vaughn’s gaze, though with a far more determined air.
“Are you enjoying the assembly, sir?” asked Mrs. Finch.
Dr. Vaughn shuffled in place, his gaze drifting to Violet’s toes. “Quite.”
Clearing his throat, he straightened his shoulders. “Might I… If it wouldn’t be impertinent, that is—Miss Templeton, if you are not otherwise engaged…”
The fellow seemed disinclined to finish his statement, and Violet stared at him.
“I am certain she would be honored,” said Mrs. Finch with a broad smile, drawing Violet’s attention. The lady’s own eyes seemed to be communicating something, though Violet couldn’t fathom the meaning, and Dr. Vaughn seemed determined to hem and haw until dawn arrived. With a sharp jerk of her head, Mrs. Finch nodded toward the dance floor.
“Oh.” Violet straightened, blinking at the rest of the group, who watched her with equal amounts of puzzlement. “Are you asking me to dance, Dr. Vaughn?”
Other ladies might’ve managed a coquettish tone to the question with a hint of flirtation in their smile, but honest confusion rang through Violet’s words. And she wished she’d kept her mouth shut, for the gentleman’s gaze rose to meet hers again with a flicker of disappointment as though her incredulity had been a dismissal.
“I apologize if that came out sounding sharper than intended. You simply surprised me,” said Violet as she tried to gather her wits. “But yes, I would be honored.”
Strain eased from his shoulders as he held out his hand to her, and she took it, allowing herself to be guided toward the area in which dancers were beginning to congregate. But when they arrived in the haphazard grouping, they stood there silently.
“It appears that the dancing isn’t quite ready to begin,” said Violet.
Dr. Vaughn’s lips pinched together, and he nodded, his gaze darting around them but never settling fully on her for more than a heartbeat. Which left Violet free to examine the gentleman. Not two minutes ago, he had eagerly and animatedly spoken about their meeting, appearing entirely at ease. But now, he refused to talk.
“You are brave to attend an assembly so soon after arriving,” said Violet. “Travel is so exhausting on its own, let alone settling into a new home. I wouldn’t have bothered attending,as these events are bound to leave you even more fatigued. Though my friends would say I’m a spoilsport for saying such a thing.”
Dr. Vaughn’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Then you do not care for assemblies?”
“I adore them.” Canting her head to the side, Violet considered that. “But like most things, I prefer them in moderation. As it takes so many of us such a long time to travel to Bentmoor, they are loath to end it at a reasonable hour, and it grows less and less pleasant as the evening wears on whilst the guests tipple far too much punch, the room grows stifling, and the aroma becomes ever more pungent. To say nothing of the fact that I am reaching an age where the thought of dancing ’til dawn inspires more groans than glee.”
That earned her a proper chuckle, and something in his posture eased. “I have never heard a dance described thusly, though it is accurate.”
Violet shared in the laugh, but Dr. Vaughn did nothing to keep the silence from returning. The pair stood there, avoiding looking at each other, and Violet’s wits fled her, leaving her with nothing more to say. As the silence dragged on, his brows furrowed, but Dr. Vaughn made no move to counter her question with one of his own.
Why had he invited her to dance if he didn’t wish to? The question was odd, to be certain, and Violet tried to reconcile the calm gentleman she’d met on the road to Oakham with the fidgety fellow before her.
Dr. Vaughn was broadly built, yet he seemed to shrink into himself, giving the impression that he was shorter than her, though she knew him to be the same height. As he rubbed his hands on his thighs, his blue eyes darted around the gathering, never settling on her for long, and though he held fast to a smile, there was a pained edge to it that was entirely different from that which he’d employed while conversing a moment ago.
And in a flash, understanding settled on her—Dr. Vaughn was uncomfortable in society.
When discussing medicine and his profession, the gentleman could speak at length, but when faced with idle chatter, he couldn’t string more than two words together. Having struggled with such anxiety herself, Violet’s heart melted a touch for the gentleman. Even knowing that his presence in Oakham would cause her family trouble, she couldn’t bear to see him struggle.
