An Unwelcome Suitor by Ashtyn Newbold

Author:Ashtyn Newbold [Ashtyn Newbold]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Regency, Romance, Victorian
ISBN: 9781690633815
Google: 63w9yQEACAAJ
Amazon: B07V9JBX1T
Goodreads: 51086675
Publisher: Independently published
Published: 2018-12-31T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Juliana gave me a weak smile from over her cup of hot lemonade. “I have always suspected the rumors surrounding Charity to be a sham.” She sat, propped up against a horde of pillows, the skin beneath her nose red and her eyes puffy from her cold. Her voice was raspy, as if hindered by shards of glass.

I had just finished telling her of my visit with Charity the day before. My insides had tied themselves in knots as I stared at the clock. Dr. Pembroke would be arriving at any moment. I hadn’t told Juliana the truth about his family—that was his secret to tell. I only wondered why he had not already told her.

“Are you feeling better today than you felt yesterday?” I asked.

Juliana shook her head. “I feel quite the same. But I am not worse, so I must be grateful for that.”

Her optimism reminded me of Charity.

“Luke has been so thoughtful in coming each morning to ensure I am well,” she said. “I like that about him.”

I noted her choice of the word like. That was a good start, to be sure. “Yes, he is a very thoughtful man.”

Juliana’s eyes rounded. “Did I just hear a compliment toward him pass your lips? What has happened to you, Eliza?”

I cast her a smirk. “I am trying to be more thoughtful, myself. But I must say he is still quite unimaginative.”

She coughed into her elbow, taking another drink from her cup. “There is little adventure to be had in a courtship when someone is ill.”

The door creaked open, and I turned toward it, my nerves on edge. Dr. Pembroke stood there, wearing his usual dark colors. They meant something completely different now, something that aroused my sympathies, causing my heart to sting for his sake. He did not wear black to signify any dark, sternness of character. He wore it to mourn his mother. The comparison seemed to embody all the wrong judgements I had made of him.

His eyes found mine for an instant before flashing away, turning to Juliana. “How do you feel today?” There was no trace of warmth in his voice, just a meticulous question from a physician. I had yet to see any sign of affection or even fondness between them. Both were cordial and kind, but that was where it ended.

“I feel much the same as yesterday, though slightly better with Eliza’s company.” She smiled up at me. “She never fails to amuse me.”

I thought I saw one corner of his mouth twitch, but I couldn’t be sure. “I did not know your sister’s company was so entertaining.”

That was an intentional stab. I held back my smile and stared at him, hoping he could feel my firm gaze on the side of his face.

Isabel returned to the room with another drink for Juliana, and I took that as my opportunity to leave. If Juliana and Dr. Pembroke were to truly get to know one another, then I needed to be out of their way.

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