see what she was dreaming.
Could he?
“Very well,” he said, and a tingle shot through her.
The leasing agent returned and led them up the street to a tall stone house with green shutters on the multipaned windows. The front garden overflowed with flowers, and an old, curly limbed tree in the back shaded it from the summer sun.
“The four bedchambers are all upstairs,” Mrs. Kirby explained as she let them into a wide entry hall with a warm wood floor. “One could be used as a study. And there are quarters above the carriage house in the back for staff.”
They wandered through the rooms. Easy to imagine sitting on that settee there by the window in the wide withdrawing room, her mother’s dishes in the mahogany hutch built into the dining room wall. Ethan would love the bedroom nearest the tree. They’d have to watch that he didn’t climb out the window into it as he grew older.
And there she went daydreaming again!
Linus spent the most time studying the room to the right of the entry, which Mrs. Kirby had suggested could be his examining room.
“The house would be ideal,” he finally told the leasing agent. “How much for a year’s lease?”
She named a price that raised Abigail’s brows. Linus thanked her and told her he would consider the matter.
“Too dear,” he said to Abigail as they started for the spa at last. “It would take more than half my salary at the spa.”
“Let’s not rule it out just yet,” she said as he paused to look up and down the street. “Having you able to treat all comers would be a great benefit to the village. It would help Upper Grace and the outlying farms as well. Perhaps Mr. Greer could negotiate an agreement with the owner.”
He took her good arm and started across the street. “Who owns the land in the area?”
“Approximately half belongs to the Earl of Howland; the rest is divided among Lord Peverell and a few yeoman farmers. I’m not sure where this house falls.”
He stopped at the corner of Church and High Street, hand lingering on her arm. She didn’t pull away.
“Why don’t you go up to the spa?” he suggested. “I’ll ask Mrs. Kirby about the matter.”
“No need,” she assured him. “We’ll see her Sunday at St. Andrew’s. I’m sure the house won’t be let before then.”
“Nevertheless,” he said, “I would prefer that you continue on to the spa.”
Abigail frowned at him. His gaze had narrowed, his body tensed. This couldn’t be about the house.
“Why?” she asked. “What’s wrong?”
He leaned closer. “A gentleman has been following us since we left the bakery. I would prefer to know you’re safe before confronting him.”
Chapter Thirteen
She didn’t budge. He hadn’t really expected that she would. This was a woman who looked danger in the face and went after it tooth and nail. So, he shifted his position to put his back to the fellow and stepped to the left to allow her a view down the street.
“Big man,” he murmured. “Keeps his distance. Do you see him?”
She nodded, gaze focused beyond him. “Tough visage too. I wouldn’t want to tussle with him.”
Linus nearly sagged with relief. “Then please do as I ask, and go up to the spa.”
“And miss all the fun?” Her gaze met his, and her green eyes sparkled. She stepped around him and raised her voice. “Jack! Jack Hornswag! Come make yourself known to our physician.”
Linus turned as the burly fellow approached. Dressed in a rough coat and trousers, a red, bushy beard hanging down to the middle of his chest, he loped up to them and came to a stop to pull off his cap. “Miss Abby, Doctor Bennett. I’m your escort this evening, sir. I just thought I’d practice a bit first.”
“Mr. Hornswag is the proprietor at the Mermaid,” Abigail explained, smile this side of smug again. “Mother and I have been relying on his staff’s cooking for years.”
He grinned, betraying teeth stained yellow. “My best customers. I’ve known her since she was a girl.”
For some reason, that sobered her. “I’m glad to see you’re on duty, but who’s minding the inn?”
“Thought I’d give Arnie Williams a try. He’s my latest cook,” he confided in Linus. “It’s only one night, and he could use the experience. Plus, he’s big enough to bust a few heads if needed.” He barked a laugh.
Hornswag looked as if he could bust a few heads himself. His protection would certainly intimidate the French more than that of