The Lady Who Lived Again (12 page)

“Here’s another file.” He dropped the papers onto the desk, then turned to leave.

“Jace.”

He stopped and turned to face her.

“I wanted to thank you for coming to see me last evening.”

His chest tightened against the sincerity in her dark eyes.

“Don’t mention it.”

She frowned at his dismissal. “Of course not, Doctor Merrick.”

His brow rose at her nettled tone. “Is there something else you wish to say, Madeline?”

“There was,” she snapped. “But it’s obvious my gratitude makes you uneasy.”

“That’s because it’s unnecessary.”

“Nevertheless, I wanted to thank you for going out of your way to help.”

“I’m a doctor. It’s what I do.”

She lowered her eyes. “Yesterday, you claimed to be my friend.” She met his gaze, tilting her head. “Or was that claim merely a white lie to make me feel better?”

She looked more embarrassed than angry, and he felt like a cad.

“I am your friend,” he said quietly.

“Then please stop acting like we just met at a train station! You can be both a person and a doctor at the same time, can’t you? Many other physicians manage it. And most people accept thanks when it has been offered to them. Some even enjoy saying ‘you’re welcome.’”

He couldn’t help smiling in the face of this little speech.

“You’re welcome,” he said, holding his hands in front of him. “And in addition, I formally surrender.”

She nodded triumphantly.

“Now, may I get back to work, madam?”

“Yes, doctor,” she teased.

He shook his head, chuckling in spite of himself.

“I’m going across the street to take this to Mr. Linton,” he told her.

She glanced at the clock on the mantel. “But it’s almost ten o’clock.”

“That’s why I must hurry. If any patients arrive before I return, please have them wait.” He shrugged on his coat. “I know Mrs. Elden is coming in this morning, just make her comfortable until I get back.”

“Would you like me to deliver the snuff for you?” she asked.

The unexpected offer pleased him. And not solely because it would save him some time. Maddie rarely ventured outside the office while in town. Another small step on her road to self-guided redemption.

“I’d appreciate that,” he said. “Tell him to take no more than an occasional pinch. On second thought, I’ll write it down for him. His memory has been slipping.”

She stood, waiting as he scribbled down the dosing instructions. Her subtle scent was annoyingly distracting. He handed her the note. Her slender fingers grazed his, the brief contact sending a pulse of heat through his veins. She offered a small smile before leaving him alone with his lust.

Jace ran a hand through his hair as he strode to the kitchen for a quick cup of coffee. He sipped his breakfast, wondering how much longer he could go on like this, but soon thoughts of Maddie were chased off by the sound of footsteps in the hall.

“Hello,” someone called from the parlor.

Jace rose to greet the petite young woman standing in the patient waiting area.

After six weeks in Misty Lake, Jace now recognized most of the town’s residents. This stylish woman was no local and more likely a summer visitor. “Good morning. You’re my first patient today. Have a seat, and I’ll be with you in a moment.”

“Oh, I’m not a patient, Doctor Merrick.” She shook her head, red curls bouncing around her freckled face. “I’m Amelia Strope. Madeline’s friend.”

“Ah, the lovely bride to be. Do come in, Miss Strope.”

“Amelia, please.” Dimples graced her cordial smile as she glanced around. “Is Maddie here?”

“She’s making a delivery to a patient across the street, but she should be back soon.”

Amelia stepped toward him, lips trembling, her owlish eyes brimming with tears.

“Oh, Doctor Merrick,” she sobbed. “I…I…”

Jace wasn’t sure what was happening.

“Are you all right—?”

“Congratulations!” the girl cried. She threw her arms around him.

He somehow managed to maintain his footing against the sudden weight clinging to his neck.

“I heard the news of your engagement. Forgive my dramatics, but I’m just so happy for Madeline.” She hugged him tighter.

Aside from the curse he bit back, he didn’t know what to say. It was up to Maddie to set her friend straight about their charade. Rolling his eyes, he patted Amelia’s back in silence and waited for the uncomfortable moment to pass.

“So happy.” She sniffed.

Jace sighed. Other than a few mumbled acknowledgements, this was the first genuine offer of congratulations he’d received on their engagement, and it was a lulu.

“She’s a wonderful girl, as you’ve obviously discovered, despite all the gossip.” Amelia released Jace and wiped at her eyes. “I’m a good judge of character, Doctor Merrick. Maddie is lucky to have you.”

Jace swallowed hard.

“So… Your wedding is soon,” he said in his desperation to change the subject.

Crisis averted. Her tear-stained face filled with excitement. “Two weeks from Sunday.” She prattled on about the wedding with enthusiasm until the cheery tone of her voice faded. “I know Maddie had reservations about attending.”

“Sound reservations.”

She lowered her eyes. “Unfortunately that’s true. But I honestly believe it will be good for Maddie to be there. My fiancé, Lester, agrees.”

“I’m guessing that convincing his family proved more difficult?”

“They blame Maddie for the accident. She was driving the wagon that day—and she was skilled at it—but she and the girls were traveling a difficult path. Anyone could have lost control of those horses in the rain and on such steep ground. Sadly, Lester’s uncle has more grief than reason when it comes to this subject. Elizabeth was his greatest joy, you see, and he had long ago deemed Maddie a bad influence on the rest of us.”

Jace narrowed his eyes. “And why was that?”

“From the time we were little, it was always the same thing: Pastor Hogle would accuse Maddie’s grandfather of allowing her too many freedoms and the two men would have angry words. Later on, the pastor thought Mads was fresh—and too familiar with men. And while she was certainly the most flirtatious of the Fair Five, she was always a good and decent girl underneath. No one knows that better than I do.” Amelia shrugged. “So, in the end, I just threatened to elope if the Hogles didn’t comply with my demands.”

“I see,” Jace said.

“Of course, this caused quite the family ruckus. I’d never tell Mads about it, though I’ve a feeling she suspects as much.”

Jace had to agree. “After meeting Pastor Hogle, I admire your fortitude.”

“The man can be intimidating, but he doesn’t frighten me. Some of his parishioners, however… Well, they are another story.” She shook her head. “Pastor Hogle’s influence has had a terrifying effect on a few of them, I’m afraid. I’m just glad you are man enough to stand up to him and the rest.” She frowned. “Unlike Daniel who—” Her hand shot to her mouth. “Forgive me.”

“Maddie spoke of their broken engagement.”

“Yes. That coward abandoned her when she needed him most.” She lowered her eyes. “As did I, I suppose.”

“You were in England?”

“Yes. I wanted to return when we received news of the accident, but my father thought it best we remain abroad.” She shook her head sadly. “I will always regret deserting Maddie that way.”

“But you’ve remained her friend, despite the distance.” Jace soothed.

“Despite anything. Always.” She smiled. “Attending the wedding is a big step for her. Of course, not as big a step as becoming engaged, but she needs to face these fools just the same.” Her smile faded. “She was the belle of the ball before the accident. Everyone loved her. It’s all so unfair.” She blinked away her thoughts of the past. “No matter. Brighter days are ahead! She has you now, and I’m so thankful for that.”

The door opened, and Maddie stepped into the room.

“Surprise!” Amelia shouted.

Maddie’s eyes flashed wide. “Amelia?”

Amelia flung herself into Maddie’s arms, embracing her tightly. Jace watched the emotional reunion of what remained of the town’s Fair Five. Jace had no true friends to speak of, certainly none he had known since childhood. Colleagues, patients, and random lovers. Over the years, he hadn’t thought he had either time or desire for more. He now realized he may have been wrong, and a hollow void opened inside him as he stood there watching the two women hold each other. Maddie had lost some of her dearest companions, but he’d never had any at all.

Amelia hugged Maddie so tight she could barely breathe. The familiar strawberry scent of her hair hadn’t changed.

“Enough, Amelia.” Laughing, she broke free of Amelia’s embrace.

“But I’m so happy to see you, Mads.” Tears shone in her big blue eyes.

Maddie swallowed hard, feeling guilty for the way she’d spoken of her friend to Jace just yesterday.

“I’m happy, too.”

“I’ve met your Doctor Merrick,” Amelia said, winking at Jace. “And I must say, he works awfully fast. I’m so pleased for you both. Not to mention utterly stunned. The first thing I heard when I stepped from the carriage was that you’re engaged to the town’s new doctor. How did this happen?”

“Very suddenly,” Jace tossed in.

Maddie frowned, feeling guilty for having withheld the truth from her friend. But she couldn’t chance disclosing the sham to Amelia in a letter. A matter such as this required a face-to-face confession. And the sooner the better.

“Amelia, I must speak with you regarding our engagement.”

“Well, of course you must. I want to know everything.”

Maddie glanced to Jace, who shrugged in return. It was obvious he’d be no help.

Amelia took Maddie by the hand. “You can tell me all about it on the way to the dress shop. The other girls are meeting us there.”

“Now?” Maddie asked.

“I’m sorry for the lack of notice. I went to your house first. But the dresses have arrived earlier than anticipated, and Mrs. March wants to fit them right away. She’s set aside the entire morning for us.” She turned to Jace. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all. I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about.”

Maddie ignored his veiled remark. Summoning the courage to confess her lie, she left the office with Amelia, and they walked toward the dress shop. “There are four of you in the bridal party. Lester’s sisters, Gertrude and Dolly, of course, and my friend Caroline.”

“I look forward to meeting Caroline,” Maddie offered truthfully. But she felt nothing but dread at the thought of reuniting with Gertrude and Dolly, whom she’d known for years.

“And Cousin Philip and Cousin David have arrived from Boston. They’re in the bridal party, too. Philip will be so happy to see you.” She nudged Maddie’s shoulder. “You remember how smitten he was with you when we were girls?”

Maddie laughed. “Yes, I remember.”

“Poor Philip. He was so disappointed to hear you’re spoken for.”

“Amelia—”

“So, how did you and Doctor Merrick meet, anyway?”

“Quite by chance,” Maddie answered. “And in the nick of time.”

“Oh?”

“Amelia, I must tell you something, and you must promise to keep my secret.”

Amelia tilted her head, regarding her closely. “Of course.”

“Jace and I are not engaged.” Maddie released the breath she’d been holding.

Amelia stopped in her tracks. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s a ruse. I met Daniel and Miss Brewer by chance a few weeks ago. Oh Amelia, he was so smug and awful to me, I couldn’t bear it—he all but snickered into his elbow when he confronted me about finding an escort for the wedding. So I had to tell him that I was engaged. And since I had no fiancé at the time, I made one up. In the form of Jace Merrick.”

Amelia considered this for a long moment, during which Maddie wanted to shrivel into her shoes.

“And Doctor Merrick agreed?”

“Yes.” Maddie nodded.

The glow in Amelia’s cheeks dimmed like an expended candle. Her disappointment made Maddie feel ill.

“Oh, Mads,” she said quietly. “I don’t think I quite realized how miserable things have been for you.” She shook her head. “I suppose I wouldn’t allow myself to think too deeply on it.”

“So you understand my reasons for the lie?”

Amelia nodded. “Yes.”

“I’m so relieved. But you must promise to keep the secret. You mustn’t even tell Lester.”

“I owe you my silence.” Amelia’s small smile warmed Maddie’s heart. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you.”

Maddie swallowed hard, feeling guilty again for the way she’d spoken of Amelia to Jace.

“I’ve missed you, Amelia.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I miss them, Mads.”

“So do I.” She and Amelia had written little of the accident and their lost friends in their letters to one another. Given the physical distance between them, it was natural to maintain a superficial tone in correspondence. But now that they were together again, there were many more intimate things Maddie wanted to say. Today, however, was not the day for depressing talk. It was a day for celebration.

“Enough of this now,” she said with a fluff of her skirts. “We have shopping to do.”

They chatted all the way to the dress shop. The miles they’d spent apart closed quickly, and it felt like old times. The young man seated on the bench outside the door stood as they approached.

“Miss Strope,” he said with a tip of his hat.

Amelia’s cordial reply lacked her usual warmth.

“Matthew.” She extended her arm. “This is my good friend Madeline Sutter.”

His thin mouth tightened as he turned to Maddie. The chill of his icy eyes ran up and down the length of her.

“I know who she is.” He pulled his gaze from Maddie. “The girls are waiting inside,” he said, returning to his seat.

Amelia led her up the few stairs toward the door. “Don’t mind him.”

The directive was easier said than done. Maddie was used to receiving rude treatment, but there’d been something hinging on sinister in the way Matthew had looked at her. “I’ve seen him before,” Maddie said. “Who is he?”