Jerking himself back to the conversation, Arthur smiled and apologized. “I fear my wits are lagging. Do forgive me, but I am overcome with how welcoming everyone has been.”
“We are so grateful to have a proper physician in our midst once more,” said Mrs. Slater. “It has been too long.”
“That it has,” added Mr. Slater with a nod before the couple took their leave.
Finch continued to introduce him around, and Arthur ran out of ways to express his thanks for the effusive praise and enthusiasm displayed by every resident of Oakham he met. Patients were always grateful for the assistance he offered, but thevillagers’ eagerness was far beyond anything he’d anticipated receiving. In London, he was just one of many physicians and surgeons from whom the populace could pick, but here, they viewed him as a gift from On High.
Which was both thrilling and disconcerting all at once.
But no matter where they wandered, Arthur found his attention turning toward the stately lady. Surely, his overtures hadn’t failed to catch her attention. A gentleman seeking out a specific lady for a dance couldn’t help but be noticed, and Miss Templeton had seemed pleased with their time together. Once his tongue had finally decided to obey its master, that is.
Was it too soon to seek her out once more? Finch seemed determined to parade him about the assembly, but the gentleman would be required to stand up a set or two himself, and that would allow Arthur the opportunity to sneak over to Miss Templeton again. Assuming she welcomed his company. If she didn’t, he supposed that would be a clear enough sign of her feelings.
“I must say, Dr. Vaughn, I was impressed to hear of your efforts upon arriving in Oakham,” said Mrs. Giles with raised brows. “How fortuitous that you were on hand when Mr. Evans required a surgeon. But I cannot imagine witnessing such a feat. Right there on the road? That is impressive, sir.”
“It was certainly unexpected, but I am grateful to have been on hand,” replied Arthur. “And that Miss Templeton was there as well. Without her quick thinking and expert assistance, I doubt it would’ve fared well for Mr. Evans.”
Mrs. Giles’ bright expression tightened, the edge of her smile growing tight as she and Mr. Bennington stared at him.
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least,” said Finch, who was the only one who seemed undisturbed by Arthur’s statement. “Miss Templeton is excessively intelligent and capable.”
“Ah, yes.Mr.Templeton is quiteimpressive,” murmured Mr. Bennington in a snide voice so low that Arthur wasn’t certain he’d heard properly, and without absolute clarity on thegentleman’s comment, Arthur didn’t feel confident in refuting the fellow. Though it didn’t stop him from clenching his jaw.
“My dear Mr. Finch, you promised to stand up with me. The bachelors like Dr. Vaughn only wish to dance with the pretty, young ladies, and the gentlemen of my age are determined to hide in the card room all night. You must take pity on me,” said Mrs. Giles, shifting the subject as the next tune was struck.
“I cannot believe I nearly forgot, madam,” said Finch with a curt bow before offering his hand to her. “If we may?”
In quick succession, the pair were off to their business, and though Arthur couldn’t confront Mr. Bennington, neither did he wish to spend another moment in the fellow’s company. Turning away, Arthur’s feet directed him toward Miss Templeton.
Only to see Mr. Gadd at her side once more.
Chapter 9
Arthur’s pulse quickened with each step, and he mentally rehearsed what he might say. But he was no poet. Mr. Gadd seemed the sort to know precisely what to say to a lady to turn her head while Arthur was simply pleased if he managed anything intelligible. Actions spoke louder than words, as they were wont to say, and surely, there was some way to demonstrate his interest.
With another dance beginning in a moment, the answer was clear enough: asking for a second set with her was not something a casual acquaintance did. If Miss Templeton ignored the first dance as nothing more than a kindness, she couldn’t possibly misunderstand the meaning behind a second.
And if she accepted? Surely, that meant something.
Didn’t it?
Yet how to ask? Having never done so before, this was doubly more difficult than his first attempt. Before Arthur could settle on anything useful, he was standing behind her. One of her friends drew Miss Templeton’s attention, and she turned to greet him; with her eyes on him, Arthur’s heart skittered and the few fleeting thoughts in his head flew out of his grasp.
“Good evening, Miss Templeton,” he managed.
“Dr. Vaughn,” she replied, though her companions watched him with surprised expressions that did little to calm his flustered mind.
Arthur forced himself to smile, and the lady responded in kind, easing the tightness in his chest the slightest bit and allowing one thought to worm its way back into his consciousness.
“Miss Templeton… Might I be so bold…” Arthur forced his throat to swallow, though there was no alleviating the dryness in his mouth. “Dance?”
Her dark brows drew together, her head shifting to the side. “Are you asking me to stand up with you again?”
Thank heavens. That was a simple question to answer. Arthur nodded and tried to ignore her friends, whose shock and curiosity could be read across their faces in a disconcerting mix.
“Certainly, Dr. Vaughn,” she said, taking his hand without hesitation. “That is very kind of you to ask.”
Kindness, nothing. The question was born of pure selfishness in wishing to monopolize her time, and it was she who demonstrated far more kindness by taking the time to decipher his muddled invitation. And to accept.
