The Lady Who Lived Again. Thomasine Rappold
“So she was punished for surviving,” Jace said. “For something beyond her control.” His anger came through in his tone, but he couldn’t help himself. “Narrow minded…”
“This is a small town, Doc. Losing those girls hit us hard. They were my friends.” Sorrow clouded Henry’s eyes. He steeled his bony shoulders, as if adjusting his stance might combat his grief. “They were daughters and kin of folks we’ve all known our whole lives. The mere sight of Maddie Sutter adds salt to the wound.”
Something inside Jace clicked like a switch. Maddie was more than a scapegoat. She was somehow responsible for what happened. Jace heard it in Henry’s voice now as clearly as he had in Mrs. Tremont’s last week. He was eager to hear Maddie’s account of the accident and wondered if that alone might absolve her—perhaps her neighbors simply needed to hear a true version of the facts.
“You should watch yourself around that one, Doc. Pretty or not, something about her ain’t right.”
Jace doubted Henry would be so vocal in offering his opinion of Maddie once he knew she was Jace’s fiancée. Henry wasn’t a cruel man by nature. He was a product of his environment, infected by the nonsense fears of this odd community. Jace was more determined than ever to help Maddie battle the groundless bias against her.
Being engaged wouldn’t hurt his practice—but engagement to Maddie might. He didn’t care. He would play her fiancé, despite any disapproval. This town needed his services, which meant he had little to lose. And there was a wealth of knowledge to gain. In return, Maddie’s engagement to him might help them to see she was a normal woman. A woman worth having.
What harm could it do?
“You’d better get used to seeing more of her, Henry. She’ll be helping me here in the office.”
Henry’s eyes bulged.
“She’s a bright woman, and I can use the assistance.”
“People won’t like that.”
“Then I suggest they brace themselves.” Jace took a deep breath, unable to resist. “Because during the short time I’ve known Madeline, our casual acquaintance has fast become something more.”
* * * *
Maddie walked toward home, consumed by a jumble of thoughts she was struggling to sort. It had been a long day. Strangely, the shock of seeing Daniel and hearing the news of his engagement had dissipated. As had the pinching feeling in her chest borne of their encounter in the dress shop.
She currently had more pressing concerns. Namely, Jace Merrick and his unforgettable kiss. She sighed, thinking of little beyond her own desire as she ambled along. She inhaled deeply, letting the fragrance of wildflowers and pine fill her lungs. Releasing the breath brought her back down to earth, where she landed with a thud in the middle of reality.
She’d entangled herself with a man who could destroy her. A man with a scientific mind and keen perception. What was more, she’d invited him to probe into her life, the darkest days of her existence. If he somehow discovered her gift in the course of his inquiries… Well, Maddie didn’t want to think about the consequences of that. Jace would not treat such information lightly, and if exposed, she might find herself confined to an asylum or worse.
She wandered into the house as if lost in some dream. After removing her new hat, she peeled off her gloves, then tossed the garments atop the table in the hall. She supposed she had to inform Grandfather of what she’d done before he heard it from Rhetta or Gil. The two made frequent trips to town and were bound to hear the news of her engagement sooner or later. She felt a fresh wave of dread as she realized she’d have to enlist their help, as well as Grandfather’s, in supporting the premise that Jace had been treating Grandfather all along.
She walked through the foyer and down the long hall, checking each room that she passed. The echo of her footsteps on the marble floor waned as she padded across the carpet in the solarium. Through the wall of windows facing the lake, she saw Grandfather outside on the patio, enjoying his afternoon port in the sun. A thick afghan covered his legs from the constant chill he suffered despite the warm weather. Staring out at the water, he looked so at peace, so resigned to his fate. So ready to go.
She stopped in the arched doorway. Leaning on the doorjamb, she watched, trying to etch the picture of him in her mind. Staring at Grandfather’s regal profile, she felt—once again—deeply ashamed of what she’d become. A liar. A woman willing to use a man she barely knew for her own selfish purposes. Swallowing back her guilt, she pushed herself from the doorjamb and plastered on a cheery smile.
“Hello, Grandfather.” She sank into the wicker chair at his side.
“How was the shopping trip?”
“Eventful,” she said for lack of anything else.
He turned toward her, brows arched like a pair of furry gray caterpillars as he waited for her to elaborate.
“I ran into Daniel and his fiancée at the dress shop.”
He frowned at the mention of the man he’d once liked but had grown to despise. “Tell me that you gave him hell.”
“I can only tell you that the meeting drove me to do something foolish. When he assumed I would not attend the wedding for lack of a suitable escort, I invented one.” She fidgeted with her hands on her lap. “I told him that I was attending with my fiancé.”
Grandfather coughed, nearly spilling his port. “Good lord, Maddie! I’m curious to hear how you plan to dig yourself out of that one,” he said as he set down the glass.
“I already have.”
His eyes flashed wide.
“Doctor Merrick has agreed to act as my fiancé until after the wedding.”
“And why on earth would he agree to such a thing?”
He seemed less stunned by her lie than Jace’s agreement to participate in it. It stung to know she was so repellant. That even Grandfather realized no man would touch her with a ten-foot pole.
“He’s a doctor. I’m a curiosity.”
He frowned. “You’re no such thing.”
“Perhaps you can speak to Rhetta and Gil?” she asked, changing the subject. “If anyone questions them about the engagement, they can simply mention that Doctor Merrick made house calls here.”
His eyes dimmed as he nodded. “They’re loyal to a fault,” he said. “No worries there.” He took another sip of port and stared back toward the lake. “After your parents died, I made a promise at their graves to protect you.”
“None of this is your fault. You must know that.”
“Perhaps. But it changes nothing. Men should be lined up to court you, the way they used to be. You should be engaged to a man who loves you, planning to start a family of your own, not clinging to the fading shreds of the one you have.” His icy hand reached for hers. “I only wish you’d reconsider leaving—”
“You’ll not get rid of me so easily,” she said, fighting back tears. “And neither will they.”
He stared at her, his eyes so sad.
“This is my home,” she uttered.
“But after I’m gone…?”
“That won’t be for ages, old man.” She forced a teasing smile. “In the meanwhile, I must do this. And as frightening as it is to face them, it’s time I rejoin the world.”
With surprising strength, his bony fingers gripped hers in the paper thinness of his hand.
“You’re a strong girl. You’ll be fine.”
Whether the reassurance was for her benefit or his, she felt better.
“I’ve missed Amelia terribly. A part of