Читать книгу The Lady Who Lived Again - Thomasine Rappold - Страница 9

Grandfather called out again, prompting Maddie to quicken her pace down the stairs.

“We have a guest,” he announced from the parlor.

The news stopped her in her tracks. They never had guests. She resumed walking toward the sound of voices echoing through the foyer. She entered the parlor to see Jace Merrick standing by the fireplace, his brawny form a stark contrast to Grandfather’s frail figure beside him. She stood motionless in the arched doorway as his presence sank in.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Miss Sutter,” Jace said.

His polished appearance caught her off guard. Dressed in a dark coat and trousers, he looked even more impressive than he had four days before. His thick hair was brushed back from his face, which was freshly shaven and deadly handsome. Her nerves knotted inside her, strangling her voice so much that she could only respond with a nod. Whatever was he doing here? Had he somehow discovered her secret and come to give her away?

“Doctor Merrick told me the two of you crossed paths the other day,” Grandfather said.

Her heart pounded as her gaze flew to Jace. His blue eyes held hers for what seemed like forever but hinted nothing about what he might say next. She pursed her lips, disliking him immensely for his reserve.

“Thank you again, Miss Sutter, for directing me back to town. If it weren’t for you, I might still be lost in those woods.”

She exhaled in relief.

“How fortunate she found you.” Grandfather turned to Maddie. “I’m surprised you failed to mention your discovery during our discussions of late.” A smile trembled on his lips.

“I…uh. It must have slipped my mind,” she said, moving into the room.

“Have a seat, Doctor Merrick.” Grandfather gestured toward the sofa. “Rhetta will bring tea.”

Maddie took a seat in one of the adjacent chairs before the men followed suit.

Grandfather leaned forward on the gold-handled cane between his knees. “So tell me, Doctor Merrick, what brings a big city doctor, like yourself, to Misty Lake?”

“My desire to sleep.” Jace smiled. It was a simple little smile that lasted the briefest of moments. Yet it managed to turn her insides to mincemeat.

A less reclusive, less pathetic woman might remain unaffected by the flash of straight teeth, the perfect mouth. But not Maddie. She gave a stiff fluff to her beige skirts, loathing him all the more for his appealing smile and good humor.

“Sleep?” she asked in a desperate attempt to focus on something other than his enticing lips.

“Working night duty in the emergency ward offered little to none. I look forward to building my practice here, where my schedule will be less challenging and my eyes will close more often.”

“How’s business faring so far?” Grandfather asked.

“I’m busy with house calls, but I’ve yet to open the office officially. When I arrived last month, I was greeted by a fierce storm and awoken by a tree limb crashing through my roof.”

“Oh my,” Maddie said.

“That storm was a mean one,” Grandfather said. “Hovered over the lake for hours.”

Jace nodded. “The damage to my patient waiting room was extensive and forced me to delay opening my practice.”

“Unfortunate, indeed,” Grandfather said.

“Roof repairs are almost complete, though, and once the mess inside is put to order, I can finally unpack and set up.”

“Well, good luck to you!” Grandfather waved his cane with enthusiasm. “And I must say I’m pleased Filmore finally hung up his stethoscope. I’m only sorry I didn’t choke him with it while I had the strength.”

Maddie pinned him with a scolding glare.

“Grandfather, please.”

He waved her away. “You’ll find I’m a man who speaks my mind, Doctor Merrick. I haven’t the time nor the wind to waste on decorum, so you must forgive my bluntness, even if my granddaughter can’t.”

Maddie rolled her eyes.

“Of course,” Jace said, clearly amused.

Rhetta whisked into the room, depositing a tea tray on the table. Her shy glimpse at their guest quickly prompted another.

Maddie rolled her eyes again. This house had gone far too long without company. “Thank you, Rhetta,” she said.

With a nod of her capped head, Rhetta left them to their tea.

“So, you don’t miss the excitement of the hospital?” Maddie asked as she poured the tea.

His smile faded. “My memories sustain me. Brutality, disease, starvation. All the worst of human suffering housed under one convenient roof.” His expression was casual, but she saw the dismay in his eyes, felt his tension as she handed him the cup. “You have a very fine house, sir,” he said, glancing around. “I’ve passed it often on my house calls.”

“We have the best site on the lake.” Grandfather puffed his chest. “What started as a summer retreat eventually became home. Maddie oversees the entire estate. Account books and all.”

“Is that so?” Jace turned to her with a nod of approval. “Very impressive, Miss Sutter.” He regarded her intently, his gaze dropping to her mouth.

“Please, call me Madeline.”

Something flickered in his eyes. “Madeline.” He spoke her name as though testing the sound, and she’d never heard anything better. Straightening in her seat, she shook off the sudden heat that slivered through her.

“My granddaughter keeps things running smoothly. I rest easy in her capable hands.” He released a long sigh. “Speaking of rest. I hope you don’t mind, Doctor Merrick, but it’s time for my nap.” Grandfather endeavored to rise, and Jace stood to help him.

“It was good to meet you, sir.”

Grandfather steadied himself with the handshake Jace offered. “And very good to meet you, young man. Please stay and enjoy your tea.” He tossed a wink at Maddie, and she lowered her eyes, hoping Jace didn’t see it.

“Please don’t mind my grandfather, Doctor Merrick. It’s been a while since we’ve had company.”

Jace returned to his seat. “Call me Jace.” His gaze followed Grandfather’s excruciatingly slow departure from the room. “How long has he been ill?”

His observation didn’t surprise her. Although he was a doctor, one had only to glance at Grandfather to detect his poor health. To Jace’s credit, he’d refrained from humbling Grandfather by mentioning it in front of him.

“Going on four years now,” she said.

“Rheumatic fever?”

She nodded. “The after effects are more apparent every day.”

“Heart disease progresses at various rates, depending on the patient. There’s little that can be done to stop it.”

“Yes, I know.” She sighed. Even Maddie’s miraculous power hadn’t checked the forward march of Grandfather’s illness.

“I’d be happy to examine him if—”

“Thank you, but there’s little that can be done. You said so yourself. Besides, he’d never allow it.” She shook her head. “After being examined by a specialist in Albany, he accepted his condition, and now he refuses to be poked and prodded by more doctors.”

“His words, I suppose?”

Maddie smiled.

“If he changes his mind…”

“He won’t.” She took a sip of her tea and tried to relax. “I also owe you thanks for not mentioning the incident with the deer.”

“I see no need to worry your grandfather with your recklessness.” His brow arched as he pointed his finger in a playful threat. “So long as you don’t go repeating such a stunt.”

She shook her head, grateful for the reprieve. “No, of course not.”

“I never found the deer, by the way.”

“No?” she asked, trying to sound sufficiently surprised.

“But I did find something else.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out Amelia’s letter.

Maddie gaped in surprise. In her haste to escape him that day, she hadn’t realized she’d lost it.

“I assumed you’d want your letter returned, since it’s personal.”

She blanched, snatching the folded page from his hand. “But not so personal you refrained from reading it?”

“I had to read it to discern ownership.” He leaned forward. “Though I must admit, I was hoping to learn more about you.”

For a moment she felt flattered. How could she not? A handsome man was declaring interest in her. The urge to sail off on the sappy emotion was overwhelming. And pathetic. She stiffened, cursing the lilt in her spirit for what it was: a prelude to pain and disappointment. She’d had far more than her fill of both.

“You have merely to ask around town for enlightenment.”

“I did that as well.”

She stared, startled by his honesty. He’d been as kind to her as he’d been to Grandfather—avoiding any mention of her diseased reputation in the hope of sparing her feelings. But she sensed he’d gotten an earful just the same.

She dropped her gaze to the floor, disappointment prickling under her skin. Why this stranger’s opinion of her mattered, she wasn’t sure. She knew only that it did, and the revelation filled her with anger. Anger at him for prying and anger at herself for caring that he had.

She waved the letter. “Well, thank you for returning it.” She stood. “I’m sure you’re still busy settling in, so I’ll show you to the door.”

Ignoring her abrupt dismissal, he remained seated, staring up at her. “Upon going through Doctor Filmore’s files, I came across yours.”

She braced herself against a rush of dread. “And?”

“And I’m intrigued. Survivors of trauma often struggle with emotional after-effects, and some are forced to seek treatment for the assault on their mental faculties. Others find ways to cope with the stress. As a doctor, I’d like to know more about your injuries and recovery.” His expression stilled. “Would you mind answering a few questions?”

And there it was. The reason for his interest. It wasn’t physical attraction to her that had brought him here; it was clinical curiosity, nothing more. She felt like a fool.

“I would very much mind,” she huffed.

“But—”

“As I’m sure you can understand, I don’t wish to talk about it.”

He stood to face her. “But your case is astounding.”

“My case?” She glared at him. “This is my life, Doctor Merrick. Please don’t reduce the sum of it to the ridiculous things you’ve learned from that old fool’s files.”

Absorbing her words, his expression softened. “He made a mistake, Madeline.”

“He did more than that.” She clenched her teeth to stave off tears. “He let them all believe…” She took a deep breath. “You know what they think of me. That I’m some oddity of nature.”

“I can help change that.”

She shook her head. “It’s too late. After what Doctor Filmore—”

“Filmore was a coward. The man declared you dead, for Christ’s sake. Then to cover his mistake, instead of admitting it, he allowed people to think there was some other dark and mysterious force involved.”

She swallowed hard. She’d waited for so long for someone to say it that she hadn’t realized how badly she’d needed those bittersweet words until Jace uttered them. The desperation in her voice was clear when she pressed him for more. “And you don’t believe that?”

He frowned. “Of course not. I’m a doctor. There’s a reasonable explanation for everything.”

Well, certainly not everything. But she wasn’t about to go pointing that out.

“I can help you. I can help the people of Misty Lake understand that you’re not some sort of malevolent aberration. Your case is rare; there’s no disputing that. But you’re not cursed or blessed or any other such nonsense.”

The more he talked and the more he tried to convince her he could help, the more furious she became. It was too late for this now. For three years she’d dealt with her overwhelming sorrow alone. She’d shouldered the guilt and the rage. No one would listen when she’d needed to be heard. Not even Grandfather, which hurt the most. She’d literally talked to the walls to spare him the discomfort of consoling her, and she’d be damned if she would admit to this stranger that her solitary recovery had been as traumatic as the accident itself.

Jace’s voice softened. “Filmore was a coward, but you’re not. You couldn’t have recovered if you were.” He took a step toward her. “Give me the opportunity to study your case, Madeline.”

She had to steel herself against melting in the warmth of his eyes, the sound of her name on his lips. “And what have you to gain from it all?”

“Knowledge. Knowledge that might help others.”

And who was there to help me? “I’m sorry, Doctor Merrick. My answer is no.”

* * * *

Maddie awoke the next day ill-rested and weary, having spent the wee hours of the evening fretting her twin problems: her confrontation with Jace Merrick and her decision to attend Amelia’s wedding. Gathering her exhausted wits about her, she concluded she would make the first step toward reentering society by refreshing her very much outdated wardrobe. She hoped that acquiring some new gowns would armor her for the ordeal ahead, and in that spirit, she presented herself at Mrs. March’s dress boutique immediately upon its opening.

After enduring Mrs. March’s less-than-enthusiastic reaction to her first patron of the day, Maddie was ushered to a wobbly bench in the far corner of the shop. She sat in the dreary light, poring through book after book of dress patterns, determined to find something dazzling. While she might be forced to attend the wedding and the slew of other prenuptial events alone, she’d be attending in style.

Maddie turned another page in the book. She tried to focus on the patterns, but her mind kept returning to her conversation with Doctor Merrick and his startling request to “study her case,” as he’d called it. He wanted to analyze her as he might a rat in a cage, to see how she’d fared since the accident. Why did men of science have to analyze everything? Was it not in their nature to simply let things be? He’d told her he’d wanted knowledge from her that might help others. While Maddie believed this was partially true, she suspected it was his ego—and his desire to be the first person to explain something inexplicable—that drove the doctor’s need to delve deeper. Whatever the reason, one thing remained clear. Jace Merrick saw her as the others did, as an oddity. True, he had a medical explanation for her revival after the accident, but he regarded her as a specimen to be studied, nonetheless. How foolish she was for having hoped otherwise. There was something about the man and the way she felt in his presence, as if he’d roused her after years of hibernation. The feeling was both exciting and terrifying. And immensely annoying.

In matters of men, Maddie was accustomed to holding the upper hand. Once upon a time she could have charmed Jace Merrick out of his boots. The Fair Five were the very opposite of wallflowers, and most people had thought Maddie as the boldest of the bunch. Flirtation was a powerful device, and one she’d wielded with skill. How easy it was to entice a man with a smile or a bat of the eyes. Would the good doctor be so easy to seduce? The appealing thought made her flush.

“Anything yet?” Mrs. March called through the bolts of fabric and ribbon.

“Not yet,” Maddie replied with a start.

Mrs. March hurried away, frustration echoing in the clipped sound of her footsteps. Although Maddie couldn’t see it, she knew the rude woman’s mouth was pursed tighter than the gray bun on her head.

Maddie continued to browse the next book, turning page after page, until she saw it. The perfect dress for the rehearsal dinner and dance. She smiled, staring at the pattern. The form-fitting bodice, the cascading layers of silk and lace.

“Good morning, Miss Sutter.”

Maddie’s spine stiffened in dread as she recognized the pretentious cadence of her former fiancé’s voice. Dragging her gaze from the book on her lap, she steadied her nerves, then looked up to face him.

“Daniel.”

He stared down at her, his green eyes drinking in the sight of her in the same thirsty way that used to curl her toes. Presently, it made her want to retch. Seeing him after all this time, and here in the dress shop, was surprise enough. It took her several long moments to force her attention to the woman on his arm.

“May I present Miss Lucinda Brewer. My betrothed.”

Hearing the news was like taking a slap. But the sting of shock subsided as Maddie absorbed the brunt of it, determined to maintain her composure. She’d had three years to prepare for this. Three long years during which she’d imagined the moment she’d come face to face with her replacement. A woman more suited to being my wife, he’d said at their last meeting.

“How do you do?” Maddie whispered through the memory of those crushing words.

“I’m very well, thank you.” Even the dismal lighting couldn’t shadow Miss Brewer’s radiant complexion and glimmering blond curls. “I’ve heard so much about you.” Her kind expression confirmed that she had, indeed, heard plenty, and Maddie shriveled beneath the woman’s pensive smile. Miss Brewer’s eyes harbored no rancor, no jealousy, just an unmistakable look of compassion that left Maddie breathless. And utterly humiliated.

Daniel silenced his fiancée with a firm pat to her arm. The reprimand sent Miss Brewer’s gaze to the floor, along with Maddie’s sinking confidence.

“We’re in town for Cousin Lester’s wedding,” he said.

While Maddie had expected Daniel would attend, the wedding was more than three weeks away. She flipped the page of the book.

“You’re early,” she replied.

“We wished to extend the trip to give Lucinda the chance to get to know everyone.”

Maddie glanced up. He smiled, a beaming smile full of perfect teeth and arrogance. She smiled back, acidly.

“How nice.”

He abandoned all pretenses for a moment, his smirk vanishing without a trace. The man actually looked disappointed that she hadn’t fallen to pieces at his feet, and she congratulated herself for holding her emotions so firmly in check. But the respite was fleeting, and after a beat, Daniel resumed his smug assault with renewed vigor.

“Amelia will, no doubt, miss your presence at her nuptials,” he said.

His false regret was too much. The hair on the back of her neck rose with her temper. How dare he assume she would decline the invitation? How dare he assume anything at all?

“I wouldn’t dream of disappointing my dearest friend.”

His eyes widened. “You plan to attend?”

Even Miss Brewer seemed stunned.

“Certainly,” Maddie cooed. “Why ever would you think I wouldn’t?”

“I assumed your grandfather wasn’t up to escorting you.”

“He’s not.”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed in warning. “Consider the impropriety of attending unescorted. People will talk.”

Maddie’s blood boiled under her skin.

“They always do.” She shrugged. “Unlike you, I don’t allow mere talk to guide my actions.” The barb left him speechless, which suited her fine. “But what makes you think I’ll be attending unescorted?”

“I…”

“You’ve been away a long time.”

He studied her, his irises darkening with something unrecognizable. “From what I hear of your situation, little has changed.”

Maddie clenched the book in her hands. Tears burned in the back of her throat. After he’d broken her heart and their engagement, she expected his pity, his guilt. Even his usual condescension. What she hadn’t expected, though, was spite. At this moment, her former love resembled his uncle, the pinched-faced Pastor Hogle, and Daniel’s suddenly triumphant expression made her wonder how she’d ever cared for him at all.

“So, tell me, Madeline. Who is this escort of yours?”

His question filled her ears with the sound of a challenge. The couple stared, awaiting her answer. Maddie wanted to run. Instead, she reacted in the moment. In anger. In defense of her pride.

“Who else but my fiancé?”

He blinked hard but recovered quickly.

“Your fiancé?” His skeptical gaze trapped her in a vise-like grip. “And who might that be?”

He sought to rip away her last shred of dignity, but she refused to let go. Consequences be damned, she simply could not resist.

“Doctor Jace Merrick.”