Page 57 of The Gentleman Physician

It took all the tired dignity she had to avoid snorting at that. Julia settled for frowning. “Then we ought to leave in the morning, at first light.”

“I agree. And it will not be difficult, if we only bring the boys’ things and our clothes. The rest can be sent back to the country estate. We’ll only need Nurse Smyth and my maid to come with us.”

“Then I had better inform the staff of our needs.” Julia stood and a sudden pull in her back made her wince. “Bother.” She put her hand to the spot and twisted her waist, trying to stretch the pain away.

“Julia, are you quite all right?” Virginia took a step towards her, eyebrows raised. “Should I send for the doctor?”

Heat rushed up Julia’s neck and into her face, and she knew she must be glowing like a beacon. “Oh. Um. No, of course not. I am only a little tender from my poor choice of a sleeping couch.”

Virginia’s eyes narrowed and her lips curled upward. “What is your excuse for that lovely shade of red in your cheeks?”

Both of Julia’s hands flew upward to cover the tell-tale color. She sucked in her cheeks. She had no intention of informing her cousin about Nathaniel’s proposal. The timing could not be considered appropriate by any means.

“Perhaps I rose too quickly from the chair?” Julia could not think of anything to say but forced a smile. “I must go and tell Nurse Smyth—”

“Not at all. I already have. What you must do, cousin, is tell me exactly what it is that you and Doctor Hastings spoke of while I was with Mr. Olivier. I have it on good authority that the doctor did not leave this house right away, as I supposed he would, and I have been curious all day about what he could’ve gotten up to before he went.” Virginia’s smile, though slight, was still one of amusement. She made a show of sitting in her favorite chair, and straightening her black skirts, before she folded her hands in her lap and met Julia’s eyes with an exaggerated raise of her eyebrows.

Julia hesitated, then lowered herself back to her chair. She straightened the gray shawl around her shoulders, wondering how best to begin. “Doctor Hastings had a personal matter he wished to discuss with me.”

“And how did it end this time? I confess, the man is a mystery, telling you one moment he has quite left you behind, and the next asking for your friendship. Which was it today?” Virginia’s eyes danced and she leaned forward, saying in a conspiratorial manner, “Or was it something entirely different?”

She felt her face growing red again. Julia could not tell a lie to her cousin, and Virginia seemed well enough at present. Perhaps the news would not upset her?

“Doctor Hastings—Nathaniel, he asked me to marry him.” She shrugged, helplessly. “He still loves me.”

Virginia’s mouth fell open and her eyes grew wide, then gestured impatiently with both hands. “And? What did you say? Did you accept him?”

Julia bit her lip to keep from smiling and she nodded. “Without hesitation.”

Her cousin shot to her feet, moving quickly enough that Julia barely had time to anticipate the embrace Virginia wrapped her within.

“This is wonderful news. I’m very happy for you.” She sat back on her heels, on the floor, her eyes glowing brightly. “Julia, I have wanted this for you for so long. There is nothing like it—being married, being loved by a good man. This is the most marvelous thing I’ve heard in ages.” Tears began to pool in her eyes.

“Please don’t cry. Then I’ll cry.” Julia’s eyes filled too and she reached into her pocket to withdraw a handkerchief, offering it first to Virginia.

“Oh, let’s have a good cry and be done with it. I think we both have reason.” Virginia sniffed and took the handkerchief, only to hand Julia the black-edged one she had kept about her person. They both started laughing through their tears, which only made Julia cry more.

“If anyone comes upon us, they will think us mad,” Virginia said at last, cleaning away the tears one last time. “Crying, laughing, mourning, and rejoicing. What a day this has been.”

“Don’t forget plotting,” Julia reminded her. “We must be gone by morning.”

“Yes. I suppose we must.” Virginia used the arm of Julia’s chair to bring herself to standing, then glanced around the room with a sad little shrug. “I have loved this room. I think I will make up one to be just like it when I finally return home.” She sighed.

“That would be lovely.”

“When will you marry?” Virginia asked suddenly, turning to look at Julia.

Julia shook her head. “I hardly know. I suppose when things have settled between you and Mr. Macon.”

At this declaration, her cousin threw her head back, her expression changing to one of shock. “You most certainly will not put off your happiness on my account, not even a day.” She reached out and took both of Julia’s shoulders. “You mustn’t squander the time you have with your doctor. If it were in my power to procure a special license for you, I would mount a horse myself and ride for one. Julia, no. No waiting. Do not hesitate to take your happiness.”

“But—” Julia stepped back. “You need help, Ginny. You’ve lost your husband, you are going to Christine, you face court to assure the guardianship of your children. I can’t leave you.”

“Stuff and nonsense. As dear as you are to me, Julia, you cannot do more than keep me company, and I shall soon have Christine and her family to help me with that.” Virginia spoke the words firmly, finishing with an emphatic nod. “You will marry Nathaniel as soon as possible. By all means, come back to Kettering with me if you must, but you will be back after the third time the banns are read and you will marry him. I insist upon it.”

“But—”

“I am a baroness, I outrank you, and I insist.” Virginia’s expression remained stern. “Please. I loved Charles, and I always will. I wouldn’t give up a single day of our happiness together, not for anyone or anything. Each one is a treasure. You have already lost years with Doctor Hastings. Do not lose another minute on my account. Please.”