Chapter 4
O h, this was not good. Not at all.
The thick grass at her feet gave the impression that the ground was far more even than it was, and though sanity warned that she ought to slow her steps, Violet Templeton couldn’t. Her pace quickened as she crested the hill, bringing with it a clear view of the village of Oakham. Her home.
Stone buildings were scattered along the road, nestled amongst trees and shrubs almost as though the homes and businesses sprouted up from nature itself. A bit of sun peeked through the clouds, bringing out the warm hues of the russet slate roofs and hints of brown in the gray stone and imbuing the surrounding greenery with a spark of life that drove away the murky cast of the day.
The sight had never failed to lighten Violet’s soul. Until now.
But then, her thoughts were not on the lovely picture before her. They were stuck with the gentleman rolling along the road this very minute, determined to rip her life apart at the seams. A doctor in town. A surgeon, physician, and apothecary all rolled into one. And poor though it may be, Violet’s education was extensive enough to know Dr. Vaughn was skilled at his profession.
It felt as though knitting needles were doing their best to knot her insides, and Violet’s steps carried her along until gravity took over as she came down the other side of the hill. It was more luck than skill that kept her on her feet, but her thoughts were far too preoccupied to give her path any attention.
A proper physician in town! What were they to do?
Violet drew in a sharp breath and scowled at herself: that wasn’t entirely fair of her. Papa had plied his trade well and trained his son with equal tenacity. Isaac lacked their father’s work ethic, but with Violet assisting him, the town didn’t lack “proper” medical attention.
Regardless, Oakham couldn’t sustain two physicians.
Reaching the bottom of the hill, Violet marched forward, her eyes not on the passing buildings as she wove her way to the Gadds’ home. And then she paused.
What if Dr. Vaughn was settling in Bentmoor? Being new to the area, he likely didn’t know the difference between the two villages, and the other was of a size to warrant another physician; Bentmoor already boasted a pair of them, but the population was at a tipping point and a third might be feasible.
Or one of them might be leaving. Though Violet hadn’t heard any such news, it was possible. With those far more reasonable possibilities settling in her thoughts, the tension in her chest released, allowing her to take a full breath.
What London-educated doctor would settle in a village like Oakham? Even Bentmoor was far too unimportant a place for such a thing. For all his skill, Papa had been like most country healers—home-taught and was a simple “Mister,” not “Doctor.” There was no call for the lofty learning found in London and Edinburgh. And even if such a distinguished doctor found himself wishing to settle in the quiet county of Devon, he’d choose Plymouth or Exeter. Certainly not their sparse corner.
Dr. Vaughn might be settling in the area, but Bentmoor was some eight miles away, and the vast majority of the villagers would still employ Isaac Templeton over traveling such a great distance. No matter how skilled the new doctor was.
With that, Violet was able to turn her feet back to their work once more, her steps coming lighter than before, and when she arrived on the Gadds’ doorstep, she gave a bright knock on the wood.
A moment later it swung open, and she swept inside, setting her basket on the table in the entryway. But when Violet turned to hand her cloak to the maid, she found the girl staring with eyes as wide as saucers before bursting into tears. Which was the precise moment that Violet recalled the state she was in.
Dr. Vaughn had entirely distracted her.
“Good gracious,” she muttered to herself.
“What is the matter?” called Diana as she swept in from the parlor to find Sally babbling incoherently as tears ran down the girl’s cheeks. “Saints above, Vi. What happened?”
Rubbing at her forehead, Violet drew in a deep breath. “Mr. Evans wounded his leg when his cart overturned, and I assisted in mending it. I ought to have returned home and changed, but apparently, my wits were addled by it all, and I came straight here because I was so very late. I look a fright.”
“Not at all,” replied Diana with all the generous dishonesty befitting a friend. “You can borrow one of my gowns…”
But that suggestion drifted off into silence as Violet’s brows rose at that nonsense. Beyond being a full head shorter, Diana was equally thinner.
“I really should just return home…” said Violet with no conviction whatsoever. It wasn’t far, but after having walked several miles to deliver Mrs. Johnson’s medicines and the upset with Mr. Evans, she knew she wouldn’t have the determination to return.
“Nonsense,” said Diana with a frown. “I know that expression, Vi, and if I allow you to escape, you shan’t return.”
And with that, she ushered her friend into a bedchamber. In quick succession, a pot of water appeared, and Violet washed away the remnant blood plastered to her skin, which did much to erase her discomfort, but when Diana procured an apron that covered the majority of her gown, Violet felt a semblance of normality; by the time she came down to the parlor, a sheet was laid across the sofa, protecting not only the fabric but her peace of mind.
“I do wish we could give your gown a soak,” said Diana as she ushered her friend to the seat.
“I fear it is a loss,” said Violet with a sigh. She only hoped the mess hadn’t soaked into her underthings, else she would have to replace everything, and the cost of a cloak, gown, and petticoats was dear enough. “But where is Felicity? Do not tell me she is even more tardy than I am.”
Setting herself to the task of pouring the tea, Diana gave a shake of her head. “She begged off. With her husband’s family descending on them soon, she is in a dither about preparing everything. In her delicate state, she is already worn to the bone, but with that added anxiety, I doubt we will see her much until after her lying-in.”
“The poor dear,” murmured Violet, taking the proffered cup.
Though she wasn’t happy with her tardiness, one blessing (beyond her helping Mr. Evans and Dr. Vaughn) was that the tea had cooled enough for her to enjoy it immediately. Violet hadn’t noticed until that very moment just how parched she was, and like the ill-mannered swine she was proving to be during this visit, she emptied the cup in one drink. Diana’s brows rose and a hint of a smirk twisted her lips as she poured another.
“This is heavenly,” said Violet after a genteel sip. “Is it lemon and elderflower? I can taste a hint of something else, though I cannot say what it is.”
“Apple,” supplied Diana before quickly rushing to add, “But enough of that. I want to know what happened. Tell me all.”
And in quick succession, Violet supplied the details, though so much of it felt like a jumble of actions and worries. As she spoke, her heart opened in a silent petition that Mr. Evans’ leg healed properly. Dr. Vaughn had done his work well, but the farmer and his family’s future rested on the hope that he would heal without complication—of which there was no guarantee. Though his sons were old enough to manage the farm on their own, to lose a leg would be a mighty blow to them all.
Or to lose him altogether.
“We were lucky that such a talented surgeon was on hand,” said Violet. “It seems he is settling in the area. Bentmoor, I believe.”
Diana’s cup lowered, hitting the saucer with an undignified clink of the china, but it was her friend’s ashen expression that had Violet straightening.
“What is it?” she asked, but Diana merely shook her head. “Out with it. What is the matter?”
“I haven’t wanted to say a word because I couldn’t believe the rumor. It seemed too ludicrous. Ridiculous, in fact. It is entirely insensible,” rambled Diana, her brows pulling tight together.
“Please say what you are thinking.” Violet set her cup down with more delicacy than her friend had demonstrated, though her nerves were strung tight because of the agitation vibrating from Diana.
“I heard a physician is moving to Oakham. He let the Roberts’ home and means to practice here.”
Ice ran down Violet’s spine as she clasped her hands tight in her lap.
“I know it is far from ideal, but I am certain all will be well,” said Diana, shifting closer to take her friend’s hands in hers. “Your brother is a fine physician.”
Yet the lady spoke with the same tone she’d employed to assure Violet that she didn’t look as though she’d been ravaged by a pack of wolves. Despite valuing honesty in their friendship, this was just the sort of moment when such gentle lies were needed—yet they did little to calm Violet’s churning insides .
“I do not understand what has come over him,” said Violet with a frown. “Isaac always struggled to apply himself to his studies, but he did well enough under Father’s tutelage. But since Papa’s passing, I feel like I must forever harp on Isaac to do anything.”
“No doubt he feels the loss keenly,” said Diana.
Violet did not respond to that, for it would do no good to point out that it had been four years, and the time for deep mourning had long passed. To say nothing of the fact that she had also suffered that loss and managed to do the work required to help her family survive and serve the people of Oakham. If not for Violet’s skill, which quite compensated for Isaac’s deficit, they all would be in dire straits.
“But regardless, there is no need to fret. Your family’s medicines are a wonder,” added Diana with a bright smile. “Father says he would rather purchase Templeton tablets and tinctures than any he finds in London or Bath. This Dr. Vaughn cannot compete with that.”
For all that her earlier statement had been born of kindness rather than truth, Diana’s tone shifted, ringing with the conviction she felt, which helped to soothe Violet’s troubled heart. Whatever else, she could be proud of that.
Yet it wouldn’t be enough. Not if Dr. Vaughn truly were here to stay.
“And it is only a rumor,” continued Diana. “I didn’t say anything earlier because there is no reason to borrow trouble. Why would Dr. Vaughn settle in Oakham of all places? It is ridiculous.”
“No doubt you are right, Diana,” said Violet, offering up her own delicate deception. It was silly to speak the words aloud because neither party truly believed them, yet there was nothing to be done at present, so they embraced denial for a little while longer.