open and full.
Ladies lounged in the wicker chairs; couples promenaded. The silver-haired fellow, who he now knew as Lord Featherstone, and another Regular called the Admiral were playing chess while Mr. Donner attempted to catch the naval man’s attention over some matter that seemed of great importance. Mr. Crabapple was absorbed in what Mrs. Harding was saying, Mr. George hanging on her every word as well. Doctor Owens was sampling the spa water cascading from the fountain, crystal glass in his hand, journal tucked under one arm.
“You, madam,” Linus told Miss Chance, who was standing guard over the welcome book, “are a wonder.”
She smiled at him. “Good morning to you as well. You should know the latest gossip is that a press gang has been plying its trade along the coast, and no man is safe. And there was an altercation at Upper Grace last night, the next village on the Downs. The constable there claims it was thieves, but some reported to have heard gun shots. I would downplay the former rumor, as no one in the spa is likely to be impressed into the Royal Navy, and I would reassure them concerning the latter rumor. We have few weapons at Grace-by-the-Sea, Abigail’s wound notwithstanding.”
“You continue to amaze me,” Linus said, setting down the book from Mr. Carroll.
“I’ve been working at the spa long enough it’s not much effort, sir.”
“You give yourself too little credit,” Linus insisted.
“I fear you have the same fault.” She lifted a small leather-bound journal from behind the desk and held it out to him. “I’ve had any number of requests for your attentions, so I started you an appointment book. Your first patient today arrives in a quarter hour—Mrs. Rand. She’s an Irregular. My father treated her two years ago when she complained of pleurisy. I’ve left his case notes on the table in the first examining room should you care to familiarize yourself. One warning—she is sensitive to loud noises.”
Linus stared at her. “I shall speak to Mr. Greer. He must know this spa will only function properly when its leader is at her desk.” He seized her hand and kissed the back, then strode to the examining room, feeling lighter than he had in weeks. Now, if only he could find a way to get through to Abigail Archer.
~~~
Abigail marched into the spa in time to see Linus Bennett press a kiss against Jesslyn’s knuckles. She stopped, blinking, but the vision did not go away. Her heart was pounding in the most alarming way as he turned from her friend and strode to the closest examining room, but she doubted the tempo had anything to do with her wound. She made herself continue toward the welcome book.
Jesslyn must have seen her coming, for she picked up her pink muslin skirts and hurried to meet her. “Abigail! I’m so glad to see you up and about.”
Abigail accepted her hug, careful to keep her bandaged arm to one side. “Thank you. But I must ask. Did Doctor Bennett just kiss your hand?”
Jess blushed. “Yes. I gather he’s had difficulty settling into the spa. He was grateful for the help.”
“Well, I’m glad he recognized your incomparable talents,” Abigail said, shoving aside any lingering emotion. She would not be jealous of the woman she loved like a sister, especially over a man she barely tolerated. “So, everything back to normal?”
“Nearly,” Jess said. “Eva tells me we must be on the lookout for strangers.” She spread her hands. “Every Newcomer is a stranger. Five arrived this morning alone.”
“And some never progress beyond Newcomer,” Abigail said with a look to the open examining room, where Doctor Bennett stood, head bowed, as he studied the parchment in his hands.
“He’s trying,” Jess said.
“He certainly is,” Abigail agreed. “And what of Maudie? Did he decline to allow her to work?”
Jess leaned closer and lowered her voice. “She’s been helping Eva Howland, what with the magistrate and his mother out of town. And I wasn’t sure how Doctor Bennett would take to her. Not everyone appreciates Maudie’s view of the world.”
Jesslyn’s aunt, Maudlyn Tully, was an older woman given to fancies. Most in the village understood. Even the Regulars conversed with her easily. How would Linus Bennett react to the tales of pirates, fairies, trolls, and mermaids Maudie liked to spin?
Two elderly ladies entered the spa just then. One was tiny and wizened, but her companion was far taller and sturdier. Abigail couldn’t help admiring the fine embroidery on the smaller woman’s