The Alpha of Rickett Hall by Merel Pierce

Author:Merel Pierce [Pierce, Merel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Reticent Desire Publications
Published: 2021-04-27T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The trip to Gateshead Pass was a two-day affair. They stopped over in Bodmin Moore, where they stayed at a charming little inn that Mr. Harcourt liked far less than she did, given how many stairs there were to the second-floor landing. After a long day in the carriage, managing the stairs was all the additional exercise he could tolerate, so they’d shared a meal downstairs before retiring to their rooms.

He was in a mood when they departed the following morning, sore from the prior day’s ride and in poor spirits, but managing his temper nonetheless. Juliana humored him and made little conversation. She was suffering from a headache herself, so it was not so difficult to pass the ride in comfortable silence.

They arrived in Gateshead Pass shortly before lunch. Despite being near time for their appointment, he insisted they stop at a nearby café so that she may get something to eat. He himself ate little, but lorded over her until she had consumed enough to satisfy him.

Mr. Harcourt’s concern for her wellbeing was at times abrasive, but the goodness of his intentions made her feel safe and cherished in a way she’d never expected to experience outside of her own family. It made her feel… good.

Dr. Potts’s office was on Baker Street in the affluent part of Gateshead, and thankfully situated on the first floor of the building. With Mr. Harcourt’s leg so ill-fitted, Juliana did not think she could bear watching him limp up another flight of stairs.

The man was very polite and professional, despite what Juliana recognized as obvious surprise that she should take over the discussion when it came to the fitting of Mr. Harcourt’s new limb. Mr. Harcourt allowed it, sitting in near silence as she listed her concerns and the issues they had with the current leg. Dr. Potts’ new design was much improved over the one Mr. Harcourt had made do with for the past few weeks, and Juliana was thrilled when they were able to leave the office only having needed a few small alterations to make it a proper fit.

Though his stump was already tender and would have to grow accustomed to his new limb, she could already see a difference in his gait. Soon he might even be able to walk without his cane.

Mr. Harcourt suggested they stay the night in Gateshead instead of starting back right away, and while Juliana worried some about his stamina, the fact that he felt well enough to be out was so promising that she readily agreed.

To her surprise, the first place they went was a dressmaker. When she expressed confusion, he coyly reminded her that he still owed her a new dress. He would broker no argument and tolerated her fitting in stoic silence with a glass of champagne as he sat in an armchair at the front of the shop. Had it not been for the continued throbbing of her head, she thought she might have tolerated the fitting better with a glass herself.

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