Читать книгу The Lady Who Lived Again - Thomasine Rappold - Страница 10

Oh Lord, what had she done? Maddie held her breath until Daniel and his fiancée departed the shop. She exhaled an audible sigh, heart pounding.

She estimated she had all of an hour, perhaps less, before the shocking news of her engagement spread through town. She shot to her feet, trying to stay calm. Once the drumming pulse at her temples receded to a level where she could actually hear her own thoughts, she contemplated her next move.

She had to get to Jace before anyone else did.

Smoothing her skirts, she glanced into the mirror by the wall. The beige day dress and ancient straw hat she’d chosen that morning made her look mousy and plain. Inconspicuous. Since the accident, she had preferred to fade discreetly into the background of things for obvious reasons. But today she could not afford subtlety.

“Mrs. March,” she called. “Mrs. March!”

The sound of the woman’s footsteps grew louder. The measuring tape draped around her neck dangled from her hefty bosom as she halted in front of Maddie, hands on hips.

“What is it? Have you finally decided on something?”

Maddie glanced to the forgotten book of patterns on the bench. “No, no,” she said, shaking her head. “But I wish to purchase the blue hat in the window.”

Mrs. March huffed. “I’ll have it wrapped, and you may stop back for it tomorrow.” She started away.

“I shall need it immediately.”

The woman stopped, her furrowed face resembling a month-old potato.

“If you could please just get it down from the window. I wish to wear it home.”

Mrs. March drummed her fingers on her ample hips, contemplating the request.

“Very well.” The inconvenience of undressing the window display was apparently worth the sale. Money was money, after all, even if it came from Madeline Sutter’s pocket.

Maddie followed on the woman’s clipped heels to the front of the shop. Mrs. March climbed onto a stool to retrieve the hat, thrust it toward Maddie, and then stepped aside. Maddie placed the hat on her head, quite pleased by her reflection in the mirror. The color suited her nicely. She adjusted the flouncy brim, admiring the weave and the cluster of silk flowers.

It had been ages since she’d purchased anything so fashionable. She’d abandoned her frivolous pursuit of the latest styles long ago, along with so many of her other favorite amusements.

“Thank you, Mrs. March.” Maddie paid for the hat. “I’ll return later for the old straw,” she said as she hurried from the shop.

She walked toward the doctor’s house, playing in her mind how she’d approach the matter. There was no sense trying to guess how Jace would react to hearing the news of his sudden engagement, so she pushed all such distressing speculation from her head. She’d no choice but to proceed.

The only way she could stroll into Amelia’s wedding and face Daniel and the others was on the arm of her fiancé. She would simply have to charm Doctor Merrick into playing along. True, winning him over would entail offering to answer his dreaded questions about her recovery, but compared to the humiliation she’d suffer if he failed to escort her, the invasion of her privacy seemed minor.

Fear tightened her chest. Jace’s refusal to help would prove disastrous. She was already a pariah, an abomination. Why on earth had she risked adding pathetic liar to the list?

She inhaled a deep breath to summon her courage. As Jace had mentioned, she wasn’t a coward. If she had learned anything about herself during her recovery, it was that she possessed real strength. Which meant she’d find some way to turn these unfortunate events to her favor—even if it killed her. First, she’d appeal to Jace’s thirst for knowledge. Her case was astounding, hadn’t he said so himself? He would not spurn the rare opportunity she presented; she was sure of it. She made a final adjustment to her hat, standing taller. If professional considerations were not enough to sway him, she’d dispatch every flirtatious weapon in her rusty arsenal to win him over. He might be an egotistical doctor, but he was still a man.

Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the doctor’s residence. She glanced up toward the sound of hammering above. Henry Whalen, town handyman and former friend, frowned down at her from the rooftop as he pounded away. Apparently, Jace had enlisted Henry’s service in repairing his roof.

Shrugging off Henry’s snub, Maddie stared at the house to which she’d sworn never to return. The peeling white shutters and neglected flower boxes had the same forlorn look as they had on her last visit, an ominous reminder of the nightmare she’d endured inside these walls. The blinding pain in her leg. The endless interrogation. The stunned faces staring down at her. Do you remember your name? Do you know where you are?

Butterflies took flight in her stomach. Closing her eyes to steady her nerves, she charged up to the porch. She blew out a breath and knocked on the door.

Jace answered wearing a wrinkled shirt and a look of surprise. His disheveled appearance and the open book lodged under his arm made it evident she’d interrupted his work. Here stood a man who spent his time wisely. Convincing him to squander it in service of petty lies would be no easy feat.

“Good morning, Jace.” She enhanced the chipper greeting with a beaming smile.

His wary expression told her she’d have to tone it down.

“Madeline.” He stepped aside as she swept past him into the house.

She scanned the desk tucked in the windowless alcove to the left. A lamp glowed over piles of papers and books. His coat hung from the chair he’d abandoned to answer the door.

“I don’t mean to intrude…” She murmured some pleasantries regarding the weather, that it was a fine day for walking. The empty chitchat she’d perfected over the years rolled easily from her tongue. “Grandfather and I were just discussing how pleased we are that you moved to Misty Lake. This town can use a doctor with your experience.”

She sashayed to the front room in dramatic style. Maintaining a semblance of grace proved difficult in the room’s alarming disarray. Meandering through the clutter, she edged past gaping trunks and crates, skirts swishing.

“You’re looking well.” He dropped the book to a chair as a sly smile crept onto his face.

“Why, thank you.” Puffing her chest, she whirled toward him, assuming a pose that would heighten his view. “I feel wonderfully fit.” He regarded her quizzically, as though she’d said something odd. Relaying the state of one’s health to a doctor seemed appropriate. The sudden glint in his eyes seemed anything but.

His gaze trailed up and down the length of her, but this was no clinical inspection. Awareness shivered down her spine. His blue eyes caressed her body like a physical touch, leaving gooseflesh in its wake. He moved closer. An air of urgency engulfed her. She’d poked a sleeping bear, faced him in the danger of his own den, and yet she stood unafraid. Quite the opposite, actually.

“New hat?” he asked.

Her confidence soared. She smiled, genuinely pleased by his notice. She gave a few dainty taps to the brim.

“This old thing?”

Grinning, he reached toward her.

The heat of his nearness pulsed through her veins. Breath hitched in her throat.

With a sharp tug, he tore off the price tag.

Maddie cringed. Lowering her eyes, she directed a silent curse to Mrs. March and her intentional oversight. She glanced up at Jace. Despite the sinking feeling, he could see straight through her, she muddled on.

“As I was saying, Grandfather and I are certain your practice here will be very successful.”

“Why don’t you stop fluffing my feathers, and tell me why you’re here?”

She opened her mouth to protest but sighed instead. So much for charming him. Apparently her days as an irresistible belle were behind her, along with the best days of her life. She acknowledged the loss, turning so as not to look directly in Jace’s eyes.

“I’ve had a change of heart.” She dragged a gloved finger along the dusty edge of a nearby table, then faced him again. “I’ve decided to answer your questions about my ordeal.”

His brow arched as he considered her in that way he seemed to consider everything. Skeptically.

“Why?”

His surprising lack of enthusiasm deflated her poise. “I…have a favor to ask in return.”

“Your grandfather?” Lines of concern framed his eyes; his mouth was drawn tight.

In that briefest of moments she glimpsed who he was. A serious professional utterly devoted to the welfare of others. Her admiration of him was genuine. This man’s work had meaning—true value—and suddenly she felt ashamed for involving him in some trivial charade to recover her pride.

“No, Grandfather’s fine.”

Jace took another step closer. The scent of him wafted toward her, scattering her thoughts. That strange sensation returned, that force of attraction that pulled and tempted her body in a most discomfiting way.

“What is it you need?”

His husky tone held the promise of things she couldn’t describe and yet somehow desired. Something so close and yet so far away. All at once the question flew from her lips.

“Would you escort me to a wedding next month?”

“Your friend Amelia’s.”

She nodded, knowing he’d read all about it in the letter he’d found.

“That could be arranged.”

She exhaled in relief; she was halfway there.

“Since you’re kind enough to act as escort, I wish to ask a slight something more of you.” She gave a demure smile and a coy toss of her hair.

He pursed his lips in return. “Out with it.”

She took a quick breath for the courage to proceed. In for a penny, in for a pound.

“I’d like you to attend not only as my escort, but as my fiancé as well.”

His eyes bulged, and his arms dropped to his sides.

“It would only be temporary,” she assured him. “After the wedding, I will jilt you, of course.”

“Jilt me?” He coughed.

“Why yes. I can’t very well regain my reputation if you jilt me.”

“So that’s what all this is about.” He circled his finger in the air, encompassing her less-than-stellar performance. “Regaining your reputation.”

“That’s none of your concern.”

“Oh, but I think it is—especially if we’re to be married.” He smiled wolfishly. “And beyond that, it’s disappointing. And here I felt flattered.”

She bristled at his teasing tone. “I must attend as a properly engaged woman. Propriety is everything to these people.”

“And what of my reputation as the jilted party?” His mouth quirked, and she frowned at his joking tone.

“Men don’t have reputations. They have prowess,” she snapped. “Besides, you’re a doctor. The only opinion that matters to you is your own.”

This garnered a smile.

“Will you do it?”

His smile faded as he tilted his head. The tender expression overwhelmed her. His eyes shone with compassion. Reluctance. She stared into the blue depths, saw his refusal rising to the surface.

“Madeline—”

“Please, Jace. You must.”

Her desperate tone had signaled a warning. She saw it at once. His shoulders stiffened, and the softness fled from his face.

“And why is that?”

She’d prefer to bite off her tongue than proceed, but she’d no choice now other than to tell him the truth.

“Because the damage is done. I’ve already announced it.”

“Announced…” His narrowed eyes flashed wide. “Our engagement?” He shifted his weight against his surprise. “You announced our engagement?”

“I had to. I’m sorry.”

He blinked, shook his head, looking addled.

“Allow me to explain.”

A vein emerged at his throat. Blood crept up his neck, flooding his face. “You’d damn well better explain.”

“Please, calm down.”

Planting his feet, he crossed his arms on his chest and glowered down at her.

“By all means, please enlighten me as to the reason for my recent engagement.”

She grappled for words. “Amelia is the only friend I have left. I must attend her wedding, but my cousin Marvin is unable to escort me.” Jace listened, unaffected. Maddie lowered her eyes, rambling in the shadow of his angry regard. “I had hoped to find another suitable escort, but before I had the opportunity, Daniel and his fiancée cornered me at the dress shop.”

“Daniel?”

Attempting to contain her anger at Daniel was fruitless. Bitterness laced every word.

“Daniel Hogle. My former fiancé.”

“And the plot thickens.”

She scowled at his arrogant tone. As if he had the slightest understanding of what Daniel’s desertion had cost her.

“Daniel pretended to express regret that I could not attend the wedding—because he, like everyone else, assumes I’ll never find a man foolish enough or desperate enough to serve as my escort.” Her anger again gave way to pain. “I can withstand the hatred. But the pity…” She forced a smile over her shame, lowering her eyes. “My pride got the better of me, and I spit out a lie.” She glanced up.

“And just how do you propose to substantiate your lie to the good people of Misty Lake?” he asked with a strong dose of doubt. “Considering we’ve known each other for less than a week?”

“I’ve already thought about that,” she said, encouraged by his question. “You mentioned you go out on house calls each day and have passed my house several times.”

He tilted his head. “Go on.”

“Everyone knows of Grandfather’s failing health. For all they know you could very well have been treating him during house calls this past month since you’ve arrived in town.”

“Are you suggesting I lie?”

She frowned. He looked so genuinely aghast by the prospect, she felt like a criminal for corrupting his virtue. “You wouldn’t actually have to lie. You would merely allow people to assume what they will.” Maddie tossed her head toward the sound of the incessant hammering above. “One word to Henry would be enough. When it comes to me, the gossip flies faster than the wind through this town. They’ll believe it, trust me.”

“Seems you’ve thought of everything,” he said.

“I had hoped you’d agree to the ruse in exchange for the opportunity to study my case.”

His face was unreadable, cool as a stone. She was doomed.

Several torturous moments passed as Maddie awaited her fate.

“Unfortunately, I’ve come to realize I haven’t the time to study your case. I must prepare for my patients, and as you can see, that felled limb left this office in a state of chaos. Setting things to rights will involve tremendous effort. Not to mention the bookwork that needs to be completed before I can accept new debts.” He rubbed his fine chin as a shrewd look crossed his face. “Unless…”

He dangled the word like a carrot, and she couldn’t resist. “Unless?”

“Unless I found someone to assist me.”

She thinned her lips. This was not going as planned. He was supposed to be so interested in the story of her recovery, he’d agree to anything. Or else so overset by her charm that he’d willingly cede the upper hand. Jace’s sly grin gave her the distinct feeling she’d never stood a chance.

“Your grandfather mentioned your skill at maintaining accounts. Perhaps you—”

“You want me to work here? For you?” The suggestion was preposterous for reasons only she understood. To be trapped in this office in the company of sick and wounded people would be a nightmare. She’d be unable to heal patients in Jace’s presence and yet watching them suffer wasn’t a reasonable option either. The problem was that the man had her over a barrel, and he knew it.

“The arrangement would be only temporary.” He smirked. “Just until you jilt me, of course.”

A maelstrom of emotions spun through her. Confusion, distress, and relief. She could barely think in the beam of that blasted smile.

“Working here will give credence to the ruse. You’d be helping your fiancé set up housekeeping and his medical practice. It makes perfect sense,” he added. “You may begin on Monday. Ten o’clock.”

She felt herself nod, although she couldn’t be sure. In three short days she’d be working here. Her mind reeled as she turned to leave—there seemed to be nothing left to say.

“As your employer, I’ll expect you to be prompt.”

She rolled her eyes as she moved toward the door. He followed behind.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

She stopped, regrets pelting her like hailstones. With a single thoughtless fib, she’d precipitated this whole enormously idiotic arrangement. But there was little she could do to change that now. She turned to face him with a look of surrender. “Yes?”

He pulled her into his arms.

Her mouth fell open, heart racing against the solid wall of his chest. Her senses swirled with the smell of worn linen and the hot flesh beneath. She blinked, met his eyes, feeling drunk. She didn’t move. She didn’t want to. His grip on her tightened, and she was overcome by a truth she couldn’t deny. Whether she’d planned it or not, she’d named him as her fiancé because she’d hoped to land here. In these arms. His eyes locked with hers. The moment stretched to eternity. His gaze dipped to her mouth, and he lowered his head.

Her small gasp dissolved between the warmth of their lips. Her breathless excitement. His mouth slanted on hers, divine pressure, so sweet. Her body hummed. His fluid pace was ardent, possessive, and thoroughly consuming. For the first time since the accident, she felt truly alive. Resurrected.

The world faded around her as he kissed it away. She closed her eyes and let it all disappear. Rising on her toes, she curled her hands in his velvety hair. Heat coiled through her body, a twisting, winding thread of pleasure that caused her to ache. Parting her lips to the brush of his tongue, she heard herself moan. The slick feel of his tongue against hers set her ablaze. She plunged into the taste of him, eager to burn.

He dragged his mouth away, his breath a rush of heat on her cheek. “As your fiancé, I’ll expect plenty of that as well.”

She stared stunned through her hazy arousal before he turned her toward the door and sent her through it. Maddie stepped outside into the sunlight and wandered along Main Street, her brain still encased in a velvet fog. People passed, trailing whispers, but she paid them no heed. She’d had a productive day. She’d return home with a new job, a fiancé to escort her to Amelia’s wedding, and the greatest kiss of her life.