her hair hanging down on her shoulder. The crown was full of volume, and it was set with so much hairspray that the whole thing barely moved. Elizabeth watched her sometimes: the way she walked, the way she crossed her feet. What Elizabeth wouldn’t do for some of that confidence, the guts to dress as Francine did. Dr. Davenport would never have allowed it, though, even if she could have found the courage.
The door gave off a soft clunk as Elizabeth closed it behind her and they both turned to stare at her. The sound of the ocean softened, then James removed his hat before pacing toward her.
“Where have you been?”
“I was at the coast,” she said, slipping her arms from her jacket. “What of it?”
Things had been awkward lately, and she was increasingly aware she couldn’t make eye contact with the man she was supposed to marry. Shrugging off her coat with his unsolicited help, she moved quickly toward the cabinet located to the side of reception and made herself busy with some filing.
“It’s a bit chilly for that, isn’t it?” James said, following. “What were you doing there?”
“Drawing,” she said, picking up a small pile of papers. Her father insisted that an understanding of running the practice would help in her wifely endeavors once James took the helm.
“Well, your father was looking for you. As was I. I’ve missed you.” How different his lips felt as he kissed her cheek. At twelve years her senior, he felt like an old man in comparison to Tom. He reached for the sketchbook. “Is this today’s?” he said, turning the pages. The book opened to the drawing of Tom standing on the beach. “So, who is this muse of yours?” he asked. “I haven’t got competition, have I?” His question was laced with derision, and in some way, she realized, despite his constant support for her love of painting, he was mocking her.
Or testing me? she wondered.
“Old Man Cressa,” she replied, taking the sketchbook and closing it firmly.
“Doesn’t much look like him,” Francine chipped in, snatching a glance just before Elizabeth could stop her. “Looks more like Tom Hale.”
“Ah,” sighed James, stroking Elizabeth’s hair into place. “The unsavory boy who saved your mother.” Another cold kiss, this time on her forehead. “Sweet, wonderful Lizzy. You should give him one of these drawings. He might like it.” Her teeth clenched to hear him shorten her name, a nasty habit he had picked up. She suspected her father wasn’t too keen on it either. “I was thinking,” he said, already moving on, his smooth hands taking hers; how neat they seemed in comparison to Tom’s, like the hands of a little boy. “We should visit the Minack Theatre. It’s quite a sight, and the headland of the Porthcurno coastline is a perfect backdrop for your sketches. I think you’d like it.”
“Sounds nice,” she said, just wanting to get back to work. Every touch, every kind word, all felt like a betrayal to Tom.
“What about tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?” she almost shouted. The first thought to come to mind was of Tom, and when she might see him if she was out all day with James. “It’s a bit far, isn’t it?” Perhaps that would put him off. “And anyway, how would we get there?”
His touch was gentle but definite as he led her toward a seat. “I’m taking delivery of an Austin Morris today.” His smile lingered in anticipation of her approval, fading only when it didn’t come. “Well,” he said, a little disappointed to have had the wind whipped from his sails, “you just wait to see it. The weather should be fine, and we can take a picnic. You can draw to your heart’s content. I’ll arrange it all with your father,” he said just as Dr. Davenport arrived in the waiting room with Mr. Bolitho in tow, nursing a bandaged hand.
“Elizabeth.” Her father stopped when he saw her, his eyes flicking to the clock on the wall, saying nothing more before turning to Francine. “Could you please book an appointment for Mr. Bolitho to see me next Tuesday? And Dr. Warbeck, if you would be kind enough to see Mr. Anderson and his good wife through to my office,” he said, motioning to the couple on the far side of the waiting room. “I’ll be with you all in just a moment.” The implication was that he wanted some time alone with Elizabeth.
Once the Andersons and James were in the office, he turned