Page 18 of The Gentleman Physician

Virginia started shaking her head, but a sigh escaped her. “I hope so. But he has never been pleasant company. How did he act at breakfast?”

“Not exactly unpleasant,” Julia said, wondering if she ought to tell her cousin how she felt or if that would only do more harm than good. “I have not fully formed an impression of him.”

“Of course.” Virginia came forward and laid a hand on Julia’s arm. “I apologize, Julia. I have no wish to alarm you or add to your burden. I am only concerned, and with everything that is already pressing upon me—” Her voice broke, and when she closed her eyes tightly, tears slipped from beneath her lashes.

Julia immediately wrapped her arms around her cousin, pulling her close. She quietly promised herself that if Gerard Macon had come to make trouble, she would do all she could to head him off before he could bring greater hurt to the already grieving family.

Chapter Seven

Nathaniel elected to stroll through one of Bath’s smaller parks on his way from one patient to another, hoping to enjoy the quiet and what little nature the month of January could afford him. It hadn’t rained for more than a day, however, which meant the whole of the grassy area had been taken up with children running about and nannies walking their charges along the paths. Still, it was a far better walk than trying to get through the streets.

The trees in this particular park were young, no more than ten years old he would guess, but they stood on one side of the path like sentinels guarding the pathway, their bare branches reaching to the heavens. In the spring, the oaks would leave yellow powder everywhere, causing an alarming amount of sneezing in children and their nannies.

Nathaniel shook his head and kept moving, though at a leisurely pace. Listening to children laugh had always lightened his heart. Such laughter meant there was good in the world, and joy, and life.

Nathaniel slowed his pace when he realized there was a woman approaching him on the walk whom he recognized. Julia Devon. Her lovely figure clad in a deep green walking gown, and her hands tucked into a brown fur muff, she walked next to a tall gentleman.

Neither of them looked pleased with the arrangement. The gentleman walked with his chin tucked down and a frown on his lips. Julia’s face was pale and her posture stiff. Though they obviously walked together, keeping pace with each other, there was a good foot of space between them. Most ladies would have their arm through that of an escort.

He was contemplating whether to do more than tip his hat to Julia, when she glanced up from the grassy area, where her young cousins must be playing, and saw him.

Her entire aspect changed as instantly as Bath weather was wont to do. Her cheeks took on color, her lips turned upward in a smile, and a hand came out of her muff to wave at him.

If I didn’t know better, Nathaniel thought to himself, I’d think she is positively delighted to see me.

“Doctor Hastings,” she greeted when they were several paces away from each other. Even her voice sounded pleased. “It is lovely to see you today.”

Nathaniel came closer and reached up to tip his hat to her. “Miss Devon. I am glad the weather has allowed you to bring the boys outside at last.”

She looked ready to say more but darted a glance at her companion, whose expression remained unpleasant. “Pardon me, I must introduce to you my cousin’s brother-in-law. Mr. Gerard Macon, this is Doctor Nathaniel Hastings, the physician who has been attending to the baron.”

Mr. Macon made his brief bow and Nathaniel returned it. “It is good to finally meet you, Doctor Hastings,” the man said, his tone hardly indicating the words were truthful.

“And you, Mr. Macon.” Nathaniel paused to give the man the ability to venture any words or questions about his brother’s health, but when Gerard Macon only turned his eyes back to the trees, he dismissed the idea of further conversation.

Julia began speaking again, her voice pitched a little higher than normal. “Would you care to join us on our walk? We are only marching up and down this path here, so I may keep an eye on Phillip and Edward.”

Nathaniel nearly answered that he hadn’t the time, but Mr. Macon shifted suddenly. “I think I would prefer to sit for a time.” He nodded towards a bench. “But you are welcome to continue without me, Miss Devon.” Without another word, he walked away, leaving Nathaniel and Julia to stare after his rude departure.

“Well.” Nathaniel looked askance at Julia. Taking in the way she sighed and shook her head, he decided a brief time in her company wouldn’t hurt anything. “If you’d like to continue the opposite way for a moment,” he said, offering her his arm, “I can walk you to that end of the lane before I must be on my way. I have an appointment in that direction.”

She hesitated, staring at his arm and biting her bottom lip. But then her hand reached for his arm and she brought herself about to face the same direction as he. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”

He barely felt her gloved hand against the thick warmth of his coat sleeve, but he was aware of its presence nonetheless. She kept the other in her muff and pulled it in close to her stomach. Nathaniel took a step, measured to allow her to match it, and then they were walking. Together. In a park.

Like they had often done in London during their months of acquaintance. How often had she met him, a maid her only escort, in the park near her aunt’s home? At least two times a week. He would wait for her under a tree, watching the lane with anticipation, knowing the half hour spent with her would be the best of his day. They spent the whole time talking of things that mattered, laughing at the inconsequential, and sharing pieces of themselves with each other.

“I have missed this,” she said, drawing him from his memories. For an instant, he even thought she meant she missed him, and a strange mixture of regret and hope stirred his heart. But she quickly added, as though aware of his misapprehension, “I have missed walking. The icy rain kept more than my little cousins from good exercise.”

Nathaniel studied her from the corner of his eye, his heart warning him that time spent with her would harm him further. Despite his conversation with Timothy, Nathaniel knew he could never be truly indifferent to Julia. He had given his heart to her, and he had a feeling she would always retain at least a piece of it without even knowing. He had to keep the rest of himself closed off to her. It was out of self-preservation.

But thinking of Timothy in conjunction with Julia brought his friend’s words back to him. “Make your peace with the situation. Tell her it hurt, you got over it, and you wish her well.”

Would speaking of the past help to heal it? Now was as good a time as any to find out. They were in a public place but perfectly able to have a private conversation. But how did one broach such a subject?

“I am glad you happened to walk this way,” Julia said suddenly, and he knew he had been quiet too long. “I am afraid I needed a break from minding more than just the children.” She glanced at him from the corner of her eye and offered a hesitant smile. “I am minding Mr. Macon as well, you see, and he is not the most even-tempered charge.”

Her words surprised a chuckle out of him. “He didn’t look as though he enjoyed being outside. Perhaps it is only the cold.” He swallowed and darted his glance away from her warm eyes, reminding himself that she was not his friend, and this was not London.