Our first meeting was after I had been called to her home to tend to her brother. Immediately I had been a bit taken at the sight of her. I was not sure if it was her beautiful heart-shaped face, her big brown eyes, or her demeanor. It was then I realized, I was not merely astounded by but smitten with her. However, instead of expressing that, I found myself quickly seeking to sever any further interaction as promptly as possible.
“It serves him right. Is he not the son of a baron?” one of them asked. “He reaches a bit too high with his standing for her.”
And this was why. She was the daughter of a duke, and whether he was dead or not did not change the fact that she was at the very highest tier of all society and I…at the very lowest. To even have any sort of fondness for her was imprudent on my part.
I watched as once more she glanced to the entrance, like she had done before the suggestion of our dance. Was she waiting on someone? A suitor perhaps?
“Did you not see the Lady Verity danced with my friend here, Dr. Darrington,” Henry said to them, head lifted as if there was some pride to be had in this.
“Yes, and it was quite clear she was forced.” One of them laughed. “We saw she did not utter a word to you.”
I nodded. “She did not, and Henry here was the one who forced her by asking under everyone’s gaze.”
They snickered among themselves.
“I knew it.”
“Henry, you are cruel, poor girl was terrified.”
“I do not know what you mean, she seemed quite taken with him,” Henry said in jest. I nearly punched him, as she was not a lady he could jest about. We all knew how easily even the slightest rumor could ruin a young lady. One word of her enjoying the company of a bastard would leave her open to ridicule.
However, the way they rolled their eyes as if it was not even a possibility in their mind was not lost on me.
“Lady Verity was not amused. But gracious,” I replied sternly. “Let us hope she is free to dance with someone of her own choosing next time.”
“One would have to be a mighty lord indeed,” one said, looking her over lustfully. I bit the inside of my cheek and clenched my fist but said not a word.
Henry, the ever-hopeful fool, would not let it rest.
“The woman Lady Verity stands beside…was she not once the daughter of a lowly nearly ruined baron? Now she is the Countess of Montagu and the future Marchioness of Monthermer. Anything and everything is within reach, gentlemen, so long as you have the bravery to outstretch your hand. I drink to the young Anderkins and to you, Dr. Darrington,” Henry exclaimed, lifting his glass before all and then pouring it down the back of his throat.
They snickered, mimicking his actions and drinking as well. He made it sound so easy. Simply outstretch one’s hand? I glanced down at my own. I could do a great many things with these hands of mine. I had managed to save lives even.
But…I glanced up at the young lady in blue, remembering how she felt in my hands, how I desperately wished to pull her closer to me. To think I at least managed to dance with her. It very well might have been the last time I would come close to touching a woman of her stature unless she needed medical attention.
“Gentlemen.” Henry nodded to them, returning to my side so we could walk through the hall. He took the drink I had not tasted out of my hand. “So, will you tell me now about the young lady you are interested in?”
“I am not interested in anyone,” I lied.
“You rarely ever come to such functions as these—”
“That is because I do not receive invitations to such functions as these.” To be here tonight, I had come with his father, the viscount, and I did not find that man as amicable as his son.
“That is because no one knows who Dr. Darrington is.”
“I’d rather be an unknown doctor than the bastard son of Whitmear. Did you not say to avoid mentioning it if at all possible?”
“Do not use my words against me.” He sulked, then drank before speaking again. “Be brave at the very least, and ask for a dance or something.”
I had already gotten that. But I couldn’t be too angry at him, for even if he had done it unknowingly, it was still a gift to me.
“It is best to forget such things altogether,” I said, taking another glass of wine as a footman passed by. “Innocent infatuations are part of life and need not always be acted upon. I am content.”
“What a load of horseshit,” he remarked as I gave in and drank this time. “You surely cannot have come all this way just to look upon her from afar.”
I had, actually. Now that her brother was married, she would be leaving for Everely, and I was not sure our paths would ever cross again. I had rarely seen her in London over the last few weeks, so I thought to put an end to this silly infatuation of mine.
“Dr. Darrington!” the maid all but shouted as she rushed up to me, her face flushed red and eyes wide. “The duchess requires your assistance immediately! Lady Clementina is dying!”
All other thoughts fell out of my mind.
“My medical bag is in your carriage. Have it brought to me at once!” I shouted to Henry as I shoved the glass into his hands and began to run.
5
Verity
“Lady Clementina is dying!” The words spread throughout the ballroom like a fire in trees. People, like leaves, drifted off into other groups to spread the news, and before long, even the music came to a stop.
The first person I looked for was Dr. Darrington, catching him just as he dashed through the doors with the maid in tow. I could only imagine what sight he would be met with.
“Silva, Verity,” Damon called as he reached our side and took his wife’s hand. “We are leaving. My father is already leading my mother and sister out.”
“Yes, it is hardly appropriate for us to stay,” Silva replied, gripping on tightly.
“Do you both have all your things?” he asked, looking to me.
I nodded, not sure what to say. I could not believe it was true. Lady Clementina? A girl of her age dying? Her mother had said it was nothing but a cold. And while she had clearly looked ill—far too ill even to walk—beside me moments earlier, it still had not occurred to me that her matter would be so grave. All the splendor of the Rowley home seemed to have vanished by the time we reached the outside. Instead, the air was quite grim and silent as everyone walked to their carriages. Ours had just approached when, like thunder ripping through the skies, we heard a scream that sent chills down my spine.