Page 30 of The Gentleman Physician

Julia’s heart lifted. Olivier had used the words we and I. Did he intend to help personally?

“Should I come also, to issue a sworn statement?” Nathaniel asked.

“Later this afternoon would be best. By then I ought to have a better understanding of matters. You wouldn’t know which lawyer the gentleman went to see, would you?” he asked Julia.

She shook her head rapidly. “No. Do you want me to find out?”

He waved her offer away. “The legal world of Bath is surprisingly small. I will discover it myself.” He looked around the table at everyone and Julia saw that both his wife and Nathaniel were smiling at him. “Oh, stop it. Both of you. You know I enjoy a case where I get to swoop in like an avenging angel. We haven’t won anything yet, and we may get the whole thing dismissed before I can even get my wig on.”

Nathaniel chuckled and Mrs. Olivier reached out to put her hand on her husband’s arm.

“You are a good man, Timothy,” the woman said, her voice full of admiration.

“I concur.” Nathaniel turned his warm, friendly expression toward Julia, giving her heart another reason to flutter. “It’s a good thing you asked for help, Miss Devon.”

Julia nodded, a lump in her throat. “I very much agree.” She was not alone in her quest to help Virginia, and Mr. Olivier would know best what to do.

She owed Nathaniel her gratitude, which she freely allowed herself to feel, but Julia pushed away any deeper feeling his assistance caused. He could never see her as even a friend again. She would accept that, she must accept it, and move forward with her life.

Mrs. Olivier changed the conversation to more inconsequential things, and Julia found it easy to step back into more polite topics.

“Have you been able to take in any of the sights of Bath?” Mrs. Olivier asked.

“I am afraid I have been occupied with other matters. I have not even put my name in the famous book at the Pump Room,” she admitted, widening her eyes as much as she could manage. “Scandalous, isn’t it?”

Mrs. Olivier covered her grin with her napkin while her husband chuckled.

“Dear me,” the woman said. “You sound like a proper rebel, Miss Devon. I realize you are in town to help your family, but have you not sampled any of Bath society?”

“Aside from visiting the apothecary and other shops, the park a time or two, no. But it is for the best. I cannot feel it is appropriate to go out seeking entertainment when my very reason for being in town is serious.” Julia shrugged. “I couldn’t feel right about it.”

Mr. Olivier raised his eyebrows. “What do you normally do during the season? Does your family remove to London?” She saw him dart a quick glance at Nathaniel, but she could not say what it communicated.

“I have not been to London in several years. I usually spend the season at home, in Kettering.” Julia felt no shame in the admission, though once she had longed to return to London, if only to search out Nathaniel in a crowd and assure herself he remained well. But she would not have seen him, even if she had contrived to go back, since he went away to Scotland for his studies.

“Ah. I understand that is a lovely part of the country,” Mrs. Olivier said. “And I don’t blame anyone for not being in London. I find it overcrowded with people who think themselves above everyone else. I find Bath to be a more relaxed environment.”

“I completely agree,” Julia said without reservation.

“But now that we have met, Miss Devon, will you allow me to call on you and your cousin soon? I am not at all acquainted with Lady Heatherton, but it would be a privilege to come to know her. Do you think company would be welcomed or would it be best to allow more privacy?” she asked, and Julia sensed only kind concern in her words.

“I think you would be welcome,” she said. “Virginia does not have many friends in town. I am certain you both would like each other. And I should like to see you again.”

“Excellent."

The men began conversing about a political matter and before long the breakfast had been eaten and enough conversation had to make the visit a pleasant social call as well as a business conversation. Julia went into the hall to receive her gloves and hat from the maid and Nathaniel followed close behind.

“Has this visit has set your mind at ease?”

Julia raised her eyes to peer at him, tugging her second glove into place. “It has done a great deal to help, yes. But I look forward to whatever else Mr. Olivier may discover.”

“Timothy is a good man. He will find a way to help.”

Julia paused, meeting Nathaniel’s understanding blue eyes. He stilled, having put his hat back upon his head, his hand staying on the brim. They stood frozen that way, perhaps no longer than a few seconds, but Julia felt her heart stir as she remembered the many times before she’d looked into his eyes.

“You are a good man too, Nathaniel,” she said at last, keeping her voice steady. She had not uttered his full Christian name in years, but doing so made her feel lighter, unburdened by formality and the loss of his good opinion.

He stared at her, brows drawn together. “Thank you.”