Chapter 14 Precisely Here
Precisely Here
THOUGH SHE HEARD voices out in the front hall, Belinda could not discern whose they were, nor what they said. A moment later, there was the creak of stairs, followed by the sound of floorboards being trod overhead.
They’ve gone up, she thought, but remained rooted to the cushion, clutching the embroidery hoop until her hands began to ache.
Look at me, hiding myself away! She secured her needle and laid the tambour aside. Why must I lose my head at the thought of facing Mr Alwyn?
Though her legs felt like blancmange, she rose and went to open the library door, just slightly. She peered out and her heart leapt into her throat.
A young man was standing in the front hall.
She quickly realized, however, that he was most certainly not Mr William Alwyn, and a curious mélange of relief and disappointment pooled in her belly. This fellow appeared to be only a bit taller than she was herself, and had a rather messy thatch of straw-coloured hair.
Has Dr Felix taken on a second apprentice? But then why did he not take him upstairs with him?
The man – or boy, really – looked as if he did not quite know what to do with himself as he stood there all alone.
If I’m to become a lady’s companion, I will be expected to welcome any number of strangers, and make them comfortable.
She stepped out to engage the fellow.
“Good day.”
The boy’s head snapped up, and a grin overtook his face.
“Have you come with the doctor?” she asked.
“Erm…I was permitted to come along. However, I was then directed to stay precisely here.” He laughed, pointing at the floor.
Told to stay downstairs? Ah, perhaps Aunt Rose thought Minnie would be overwhelmed at being examined at all, let alone by two unfamiliar men.
Belinda smiled and introduced herself.
Taking the hand she offered, he bowed over it with remarkable chivalry. “Theodore Sliger, future doctor of Brittania, at your service.”
Lindy’s eyes raced over his face as she couldn’t help but compare every detail of him to those of another student, whose possible appearance had frazzled her so completely.
“Tell me, Mr Sliger, which subject is currently of greatest interest to you in your studies?”
“Would you think me brutish if I confessed it to be Dissection?” He grimaced, winning her with his easy manner.
“Of course not. As a doctor, you will need to know the scope of human anatomy, and how better to get at its heart?”
“Ah, clever!” He chuckled, then tilted his head in interest. “And you, Miss Everson, have you lived here on Hertford Street all of your life?”
“Oh no — hardly a week of it.” Then, feeling as if she were telling him about someone besides herself, she boldly added, “I’ve come to town to find employment as a lady’s companion.”
There! Now I have formally acknowledged it, she thought, then forged ahead in her attempts to continue their tête-à-tête in a proper lady’s-companion-fashion.