But as much as Arthur wanted to say such things, it was impossible with every eye in the room pointed at them; he felt their attention skittering across his skin and boring into his back. He knew it was only in his head, for he wasn’t so arrogant as to believe that he warranted such scrutiny, but he spied more than a few pairs pointed in their direction. The new doctor had asked Miss Templeton to dance twice!
They drew up to where the set would begin shortly, and Arthur stood there like the great lummox he was, feeling as fretful as when he’d first approached her. But then, this one meant so much more.
“Breathe, Dr. Vaughn,” she said with a faint smile. “I would think a doctor of your caliber would understand the importance of employing one’s lungs.”
Arthur gave a halting chuckle, a grin on his lips. “True, but it is not always easy to do so.”
Lowering her voice, Miss Templeton held his gaze as warmth flowed from her. “Do not fret, sir. Despite what some believe, it is no great weakness to be anxious around strangers, and I’ve known many gentlemen who struggle with it. Gracious, I’ve known most of these people my entire life and still feel uneasy when I am forced to venture into society without a companion on hand.”
“I do not know if I can believe such a claim, Miss Templeton,” replied Arthur. “You seem quite at ease and comfortable with yourself.”
Letting out a sharp huff of air, the lady shook her head. “I have no natural talent for socializing, and I’ve spent years learning to overcome many of my fears.” With furrowed brows, she added, “And it has helped greatly that I am far more comfortable in my skin than I was in my youth. So much of my nerves came from uncertainties about myself.”
Miss Templeton spoke quietly and calmly, that aura of confidence leaching into Arthur and allowing him to breathe deeply once more.
“You asked me all about my medical education, and I have not asked about yours,” he said, the words slipping free without thought. “Beyond your salve, your dresser abilities made it clear you are far more familiar with medicine than one finds outside of the profession—even with a father inside it.”
“True, but I was always enamored with the subject, reading as much as I could about the subject. And Papa allowed me to observe his work from time to time.”
More than “time to time,” if Arthur were to guess. Why she chose to minimize her education on the matter was an oddity, but one did not show such proficiency without much training. Before their formal education, Arthur and his brothers had spent time learning at their father’s knee, yet Miss Templeton’s skill outmatched that which they’d gleaned. Her ability wasmore akin to their mother’s, who had served as Father’s assistant their entire married life.
The musicians struck up their starting notes, and Arthur realized he’d entirely missed the lead couple announcing the coming dance. Thankfully, the tune was a familiar one, and he knew the steps that accompanied it. With ease, they moved through the figures, and though Arthur couldn’t say he enjoyed dancing, he now understood the appeal as he brushed by Miss Templeton, his hands lingering in hers.
“Well, I am happy to hear that,” said Arthur. “Though small, a village the size of Oakham requires a physician, and I am glad to know it hasn’t been wholly without medical assistance since his passing. Especially as you show such an aptitude for it.”
*
Talking and dancing were difficult to manage. Though Violet knew the steps well enough that her feet moved of their own accord, maneuvering without colliding with others took far too much attention for her to easily do both. And at Dr. Vaughn’s pronouncement, she nearly collided with Mrs. Birks.
“Pardon?” she asked, but that earned her a puzzled expression in response.
“You are quite talented—”
But Violet shook her head as they came to rest for a moment, standing opposite one another. “What do you mean about Oakham requiring a physician?”
“Only that the village has been without one since your father passed,” replied Dr. Vaughn. “Though Bentmoor’s physicians are close enough to manage many of the ailments, Oakham has enough demand to warrant its own. It is the reason Mr. Finch’s request was so appealing.”
“Mr. Lewis Finch?” asked Violet, her spine stiffening.
Dr. Vaughn’s expression grew even more puzzled. “I met the gentleman in London. I wouldn’t say I know him well, butwe were acquaintances, and he wrote to me about Oakham requiring a physician.”
“He did, did he?” Violet fought to keep her words from snapping at the poor fellow who didn’t deserve her ire. Of its own accord, her gaze swept across the room until it rested on the lanky gentleman in question. Being tall himself, Mr. Finch was easy enough to spy, and though his attention was not on her, he must’ve felt the heat burning into his skin, for his dark eyes turned to meet Violet’s.
The moment was fleeting—hardly more than a heartbeat, but Mr. Finch must’ve seen something in her expression, for his own shifted in response. Not fear or surprise, but rather resignation. Lewis Finch knew she knew and didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed.
Heat burned through her, making the sweltering room feel like a chilly spring day, and pain struck her chest, burrowing deep. It wasn’t as though Mr. Finch was a good friend. With Felicity having been gone from Oakham for so long, Violet couldn’t even claim a close relationship, but since their moving into the neighborhood last winter, she’d spent a fair amount of time in the Finches’ company. She’d thought they were friends of a sort.
Foolish creature. Violet wondered how long it took for lessons to truly take hold. She hadn’t thought herself pigheaded or dim-witted, yet her aching heart testified to the truth. She had trusted them and had forgotten a cardinal rule—the only loyalty one could expect was from oneself. People were quick to shrug off the mantle of friendship, casting it aside with little thought.
“Have I upset you?” asked Dr. Vaughn.
Violet forced her expression to soften. Whatever his role in her current troubles, she refused to make him bear the brunt of her frustrations.
“Not you, Dr. Vaughn,” she replied, forcing a smile as her throat tightened to a painful degree. “You mentioned you do not read much, but are there any authors you enjoy?”
The gentleman watched her with furrowed brows, and Violet fought to keep her expression impassive.
“Since beginning my training, I’ve hardly had time for such luxuries,” he finally replied as they took each other by the hand and traveled along the line, releasing one another to pass behind another pair and return to facing each other on the line.
