The Doctor and the Libertine - Callie Hutton Page 0,43
a maid’s uniform opened. “Good afternoon, Dr. Stevens. I am Bessie and I am pleased to meet you.”
“Good day to you as well, Bessie. It’s a pleasure to meet you, as well.” Rayne stepped over the doorstep and pulled off her gloves. She handed them, along with her coat and hat to Bessie and then, smoothing out her dress headed toward the drawing room where she knew Father spent his time when not sleeping.
“Good afternoon, Father.” She walked to where he sat on a comfortable chair in front of the fireplace. She kissed his paper-thin cheek, thinking how much he’d aged since he’d retired.
One never expected one’s parent to age. To her, he was always the wise doctor, who knew what was best for his patients. And his children. He was tall, although not so much anymore. His deep red hair had turned gray and then white over the years. But his piercing blue eyes had not dimmed with age.
“It’s about time you showed up. I don’t like waiting, young lady. You know that.” He harrumphed as she kissed him.
“It is just now three o’clock.” She checked her timepiece pinned to the bodice of her blouse.
“I mean waiting for you to make time for your father. I expected you a few days ago.” He thumped the floor with his cane that was forever by his side. He would never tell her why he needed the cane since he didn’t seem to use it to walk.
At his words and tone, she immediately fell into the submissive girl who did everything possible to please her father. “I’m sorry Father, but one of my patients went into early labor. It turned out the reason was she delivered twins.” She smiled brightly. “Two lovely, healthy girls.”
He grunted. “Damned inconvenient if you ask me.”
After a few moments, she said, “Shall I send for tea?” She made to rise, but her father waved her back into her seat.
“I just had luncheon. No need for tea.”
It was a good thing Rayne had eaten the food she’d brought with her in the carriage, since as usual, Father was only concerned with his own needs. Then she pushed that disloyal thought from her head. Father had done so much for her she had no right to question him. She was a well-trained, respected doctor because her father had believed in her, and had pushed her to do her best.
“I thought Mr. Faulkner-Jones was to be here?” She looked around as if expecting the man to pop out from behind the sofa.
“He will be here shortly. I want to get all of this marriage business out of the way. Faulkner-Jones needs to return to his excavation and doesn’t have time to be dawdling around waiting on you.”
Rayne bit the inside of her cheek to keep from responding. After taking a calming breath, she said. “About that, Father. I don’t believe I want to marry Mr. Faulkner-Jones.”
He waved his hand in dismissal again. “Of course, you do. It’s been arranged for ages and it’s the best thing for you.”
Her heart pounded and she twisted her hands in her lap. “No, Father. I don’t believe it is the best thing for me. I don’t know Mr. Faulkner-Jones at all, and the one time he called on me in Bath he didn’t seem at all someone who I feel would suit.”
His face flushed and he pointed his finger at her. “Young lady, I’ve had to tell you since you were a girl what is best for you. It was quite disappointing when you were born, and your mother presented me with yet another girl.” He shook his head in disgust, as if his wife had purposely birthed only girls to annoy him.
Rayne stopped herself from rolling her eyes since she’d heard the story so many times before. Father was disappointed with a third girl. The story was the same, and the disappointment the same. Rayne oftentimes wondered if her mother had died shortly after her birth to avoid Father’s constant criticism.
“I know Father. I appreciate how much you’ve done for me. I am happy with my life and work. However, if I were to marry, I prefer to choose my own husband.”
He narrowed his eyes at her and had her squirming. “That degenerate, I’m thinking? Is he the one who’s caught your eye?”
Rayne drew herself up. “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”
He thumped the floor once more. “Yes. You do. And don’t try to pull that innocent act with me.