Secrets of the Heart (15 page)

“If it tastes as good as it looks, I may have to take up boarding here too, Mrs. Hogarth,” Melton said. “This is far better than living above the Grey Fox Inn.”

“Just let me know when you’d like to move in, Mr. Melton.” Mrs. Hogarth smiled broadly. “Now, eat up before it gets cold. I’ll be right back with more victuals,” she said and left the room.

“And how are you ladies this fine evening?” Devlin asked. “No ill effects from yesterday’s mishap, I hope.”

Madeline replied, “Lady Gilling has been fighting off an awful headache most of the day. However, she put on a brave face. I did not realize it until we arrived here.”

“It is much improved since I rested,” Hally assured them. “No need to fuss.”

A shadow of concern passed over Melton’s features. “Still, I would feel better if you would permit me to talk with you further about the pain after dinner.”

“Of course, if you think it necessary, Mr. Melton. Now, let’s enjoy this unexpected time together.”

Madeline looked directly at Devlin. “Do you mind if I ask you a question, Lord Ravensmoore?”

“Not at all,” he replied.

“How did you meet Dr. Langford?”

Devlin’s heart jumped. No turning back. “He is my instructor, a very skilled physician and surgeon.”

“But why is he here in York? Where does he come from?”

“He cares about the education of new doctors, so like some of his colleagues, he visits different areas of the country from time to time to teach and help those of us learn more about special areas in medicine. He actually spends most of his time between London and York. He has a home in York and a town house in London when he is there for teaching purposes at the Royal College of Physicians.”

“I see.”

Madeline seemed to be thinking something through, and Devlin was afraid he knew what that something was.
Why did Langford leave me alone with her father?

Silence grew.

“Do you have other family, Lord Ravensmoore?” Hally asked.

Grateful for the question, he gathered his jumbled thoughts. “I have two younger sisters at home, Countess. My parents are deceased, and my brother, Edward, died in a shipwreck along with my father, leaving me as heir.”

“I am so sorry,” Hally said.

“Why did you return to your studies, sir?” Madeline asked, a frown creasing her forehead. “It must be very difficult with your many responsibilities.”

Melton grinned mischievously, raised a brow, and looked at Devlin. “Ravensmoore is a gentleman of many talents. One being to challenge our teacher whenever the opportunity presents itself.”

Devlin explained, “Dr. Langford does not approve of my desire to practice medicine. He would prefer I use my funds to help the college in the training of new physicians. As a man of science, he does not understand the calling that God has placed in my heart.”

“Why do you persist?” Madeline asked, then took a sip of her tea.

“I believe the good Lord put us on this earth to fulfill a purpose, Lady Madeline, a mission of sorts. And although I’m painfully aware that most of my peers disagree vehemently with my plans to be a physician, I believe being born into wealth is no excuse to ignore my calling.”

She studied him silently. He wondered if she laughed at him from behind her composed expression.

“It must be very difficult for you to be snubbed by your peers,” Madeline said.

Her remark surprised him. “You grow used to it, eventually.”

He watched a shadow of sadness pass over her face. Devlin hoped the subject had not caused her undue stress. He feared at any moment that she might ask him questions about Langford and about her father’s death.

Agnes entered the room with hot bread and a platter of beef. Devlin was grateful for the interruption, enticing them into other subjects of a less volatile nature. Mrs. Hogarth followed with another pot of tea.

“This pot of tea is for ye, Countess. ’Tis willow bark and will help the ache in yer head.”

“Would you agree with that, Mr. Melton?” Hally said, lifting the cup to her lips.

“It certainly cannot hurt. Many teas are medicinal. We probably don’t know the extent of their abilities yet.”

Agnes disappeared into the kitchen and returned with an overflowing bowl of boiled potatoes. “I told ye she was a grand cook,” Agnes said proudly.

Mrs. Hogarth glowed with appreciation. “I don’t believe in coincidences. ’Tis fate what brought us together this night. Ye mark my words, this is not the last night ye four young people will be together. Enjoy yerselves, now. I’ll come check on ye shortly.”

The sisters returned to the kitchen, but just before the door shut they all heard Mrs. Hogarth say, “What handsome couples they make.”

An embarrassed silence filled the room, and then Melton burst out laughing. “Does anyone else think those two are up to some matchmaking scheme?”

“It couldn’t be more obvious,” Hally said in agreement. “What should we do?”

“Nothing,” Madeline said. “I’ll have a serious discussion with Agnes. I had no idea her sister was so bold. She’s gone a bit too far.”

“I think the two of them have good intentions,” Devlin said. He raised his glass. “Let’s have a toast. May the Lord bless us all and those less fortunate with health and happiness.”

The others echoed his words and raised their glasses. He noticed that Madeline’s smile did not extend to her eyes.

The dinner continued with pleasant conversation. Devlin convinced himself he was under some kind of spell that made it impossible not to stare at Madeline. Never before had a woman fascinated him as she did, charming one moment and suspicious the next. A complex female.

Agnes and Edna appeared with a delicious-looking apple pie and a bowl of clotted cream. “I hope each of ye enjoyed yer dinner,” Edna said.

There was a chorus of cheers, applause, and good wishes. A blush rose in Edna’s cheeks, and both women glowed with pleasure.

“I told ye she was a wonderful cook,” Agnes repeated with pride. “We’ve been havin’ a grand visit, but I suppose we should be leavin’ soon.”

“Nonsense. What’s the difficulty in staying for pie and a brief stroll in the moonlight?” Devlin asked. He studied Madeline’s reaction to his suggestion.

“It’s already dark.” Madeline stood up and looked about like a hunted deer desperate for escape. “We really must go. Wouldn’t you agree, Lady Gilling?”

Hally stared at Charles Melton as if he might disappear at any moment. “I believe we have time for a short walk before we return to Richfield.”

Madeline nodded reluctantly and sat down. “A very short walk.”

Agnes sliced up the pie while Edna served her guests. The sweets disappeared quickly.

“That walk sounds like a splendid idea, Ravensmoore,” Melton said. “It’s not good for a body to sit around after a big meal. Waste of energy. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“For once, I agree with you completely,” Devlin joked goodnaturedly and rose to his feet. “Lady Madeline, Countess, your company would be most welcome.”

“And just where do ye think ye are goin’ without a chaperone?” Agnes said as she entered the room and began to clear the table. “Ye are both eligible and unmarried females,” she announced, as though it were a great secret. “I suggest ye wait for Edna and me.”

“I am a widow, Mrs. Moss. I hardly need a chaperone and can certainly serve as Madeline’s. But please join us.”

“Of course,” Madeline said. “I would never leave without you, Agnes.”

Devlin didn’t miss the plea in her eyes as she spoke to Agnes.

“We’ll wait outside,” Devlin assured her. “The evenings have been quite chilly. You will need your wraps.”

Agnes nodded. “We’ll be right out.” She returned to the kitchen.

Devlin assisted Madeline with her pelisse. Once outside he offered her his arm.

She hesitated for a moment, as if weighing her decision carefully. “I am not comfortable with this situation, sir,” she whispered. “If the countess weren’t so smitten with Mr. Melton, I would not find myself in such a dilemma.”

“As you wish, Lady Madeline. We will simply walk next to each other.” He watched Melton offer his arm to Hally. She immediately accepted as though she’d been doing it all her life. Envy tangled his emotions like weeds in a garden.

“The stars are beautiful tonight, are they not?” Madeline said, avoiding his eyes.

“The stars are beautiful, but I do believe you outshine them,” Devlin declared, his voice carefully modulated so as not to betray the depth of his feelings.

“You are too bold, sir. They will hear you,” Madeline said urgently.

“The important thing is that you heard me.” He turned slightly. “They appear far too interested in each other to bother with us.”

“Well,
they
certainly are getting along. I never thought to see Hally so taken with a gentleman again.” Hally and Melton were engaged in an intimate conversation of their own, oblivious to all else.

“Melton is a charming fellow, with more strength of character than one might suspect on first acquaintance,” Devlin said.

Madeline glanced at him askance. “He is trustworthy, then?”

“As far as I know.” The door opened behind them. “Ah, here are our chaperones.” He couldn’t prevent a twinge of regret from creeping into his voice as Edna and Agnes joined them.

Devlin and Madeline took the lead, walking in front of Hally and Melton. Devlin hoped to put a little distance between them and the others. The two sisters followed the couples down the cobblestone street.

Devlin longed to take Madeline’s hand and nestle it into his elbow. But he knew she just barely tolerated his presence, much less his touch. “How have you have been feeling since the accident yesterday? Did your arm give you any difficulty today?”

“As your patient, I must tell you that I am doing very well… most of the time.”

“Most of the time?” Devlin frowned. “What exactly does that mean?”

Madeline looked straight ahead. “I have difficulty sleeping, and my arm sometimes hurts at night. I stopped in at the apothecary today for more laudanum, but I was hoping not to use it.”

“Don’t hesitate to use it, if necessary. However, you must be cautious. I think I should visit soon and discuss this further. Would that be acceptable?”

Madeline was silent.

“Do you dislike me that much?” he asked, keeping his tone light so as not to reveal his hurt.

“No, Lord Ravensmoore. I do not dislike you. I just do not think your visit would be a good idea.”

“Why not? You’re angry and blame me for your father’s death. We must talk about it.”

“Talking about it would serve no purpose. My father is dead. It would only make things worse.”

“What things?”

“Things you do not understand. You cannot understand.”

“Perhaps I could if you would give me a chance.”

“I cannot do that.”

“But
why
can’t you talk about it?” Devlin pressed.

Madeline stopped walking and turned to him with pain-filled eyes. “Because it hurts too much.”

The eyes were nearly his undoing. He stepped closer, instinctively reaching for her hands to pull him to her and comfort her, but she sent him a pain-filled glance of confusion and pulled away. Defeated, he dropped his hands. “Shall we continue our walk?” he asked politely, woodenly.

She nodded.

He tried to think of other things to talk about to break the tension of the silence and to take his mind off his own pained thoughts. “You might be interested to know that the young woman from the asylum has been found.”

“What?” Madeline turned to him with fear in her eyes. “When?”

“This morning. She returned with two of the keepers. Are you all right? You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.” He tucked her hand into his elbow to steady her.

“I’m just concerned for the girl. Is she safe?”

The pressure from her grip on his arm increased. “I was there when they brought her back. We were called in to care for another patient at the asylum.”

“How did they find her?”

“I don’t know. Unfortunately, they put her in manacles. Langford dosed her with laudanum to help her relax.”

Madeline gasped. “How cruel. Why would they treat her so dreadfully?”

“I agree, it’s cruel. But the courts have confined her to Ashcroft because she’s been found to be criminally insane. There is nothing to be done.”

Madeline stopped and turned to Devlin. “There is
always
something that can be done. All one must do is try.” The vehemence in her voice told him that she still blamed him for her father’s death. How could he convince her that it wasn’t his fault?

They returned to the inn in silence.

C
HAPTER 10

Nothing is so burdensome as a secret.

—F
RENCH
P
ROVERB

T
HAT
N
IGHT
M
ADELINE
tossed and turned in her bed at Richfield. She could not stop thinking of Ravensmoore. “He seems to be interested in me,” she murmured, “and, God forgive me, I am attracted to him.”