10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

It was unusually beautiful outside. No patients had come in that mid-morning, and Justin took advantage of the lull to go for a short walk around the town. He was just on his way back when he spotted Charlotte's mother walking in the direction of her home. Her jaw was set, her shoulders square, and her pace frantic. It was obvious something was wrong.

"Mrs. Harrison," he called as he caught up to her. "Stop a moment."

She did, and turned a face filled with anguish toward him. "Doctor," she said quietly as she fought to smooth over her features.

"What happened?" he demanded. "I can tell something has. Let me help you." His head twisted side to side, seeking the source of her upset .

Mrs. Harrison paced a few steps away, and then back. "I cannot tell you," she answered, her voice tense.

"And I cannot let you leave in this condition," he replied, gently taking her elbow and leading her over to a bench just a short distance away. "Something is wrong, and I would be remiss as your doctor and as your friend if I let you go and something happened to you."

She was quiet for a long moment, then met his eyes. "Doctor, can I count on your discretion?"

"Of course," he answered. He looked down at her hands. They were trembling. Concern filled him, and he reached over to check her pulse. It was rapid. It was obvious she was agitated, and it wasn't good for her to be. Mrs. Harrison had been through so much in recent years, yet hadn't seemed to let it bother her. This must be incredibly serious for it to have shaken her this much.

"Very well," she relented. "I had gone into the dressmaker's shop to show some samples of lace I'd made. They liked them and wanted to buy more. I thought to stop over at your office and let Charlotte know. However, when I was leaving, just outside of the building I overheard a man laughing about all of the young women after him, and how he'd have his pick before the festival."

She took a deep breath. "That isn't uncommon. Some young men, women too, let their egos take over when the festival comes around. I wasn't intending to eavesdrop, but the conversation was right there. There was no way to avoid them."

"I understand," Justin assured her.

"I hadn't looked to see who was speaking yet," she continued. "But then, one of the men said that he was leading on three women, one being Charlotte. I glanced over then, and saw it was August Middleton. I was so angry that I took leave of my senses. All I could think about was how hurt she'd be when she found out. Especially if she was not the one he chose at the end."

Justin closed his eyes a moment. He could imagine the scene. And August's reaction. "What happened next?" he asked, almost afraid to know.

Mrs. Harrison's whole body trembled, and he took her hands into his. "Take some deep breaths," he told her. "Slowly. There you go."

"I-I told him that I thought what he was doing was terrible. I'm not sure if he recognized me. He pushed past me and laughed, then wandered over to your office." She shook her head. "I assumed he went inside."

Justin glanced toward his practice. There, standing before the door was August, talking to Charlotte who was smiling at him. Anger filled him. It was all he could do to keep it in check as he turned to Charlotte's mother.

"Are you hurt?" he asked her.

"No," she said as she shook her head. "Not physically. But, Doctor, you must keep this between us. It would hurt Charlotte so to know that August wasn't completely interested in her."

She opened her mouth, then closed it. The worry on her face fueled his anger. "I won't say a word," he promised.

"I…I don't feel, in my heart, that August would ever choose Charlotte. We have nothing. He wants a woman to be a full package, beautiful and wealthy, he said. His father won't let him have anything else. It will devastate Charlotte when she learns that."

"If he loved her, none of that would matter," Justin said. He was grateful there weren't many people around. He knew he looked angry, and his eyes were likely smoldering. It was a struggle to have some semblance of calm in his voice.

What he wanted, right now, was to tell August he was a fool. That he didn't deserve Charlotte's affection. Wasn't worthy to even walk on the same street as her.

It was true, what Mrs. Harrison said. There were many people who would choose the one they married only to make themselves look better through their looks or their wealth.

That had never been something he'd thought of. He would take Charlotte no matter what. Even if she had nothing. He would give her everything that she wanted, if he could. If she'd just look at him the way he longed for her to .

"I feel responsible," Mrs. Harrison murmured. "If I had just tried harder, begged my husband not to sign those papers, perhaps we wouldn't be so badly off. Charlotte might have stood a better chance at a successful marriage if we had something, if she was better off."

"A marriage to that man isn't what she needs," Justin said, not caring if his voice sounded harsh. "What Charlotte needs is someone who loves her, thinks only of her. She is a woman worthy of far more than August Middleton. The fact that he can't see that, can't see beyond her beauty and cares about her monetary value shows what a fool he is."

He froze then. He'd said it aloud. Said too much. And to her mother! A surge of panic filled him, and he dared to glance at Mrs. Harrison. She was looking at him oddly, but then a soft smile came over her face.

"I-I must go," he said, rising quickly from the bench. "If-if you are well, then I will take my leave. You have my confidence, of course," he added.

"Thank you, Doctor," she said, still smiling. "Yes, I am well. But, one more thing."

"What is that?" he asked as she lightly placed her hand upon his arm.

"Consider telling her that you are attracted to her," she answered. "I would much rather have you become part of our family than August. "

Justin blushed, then he shook his head as a bitter laugh broke forth. "Mrs. Harrison. I am keeping your confidence, so you must keep mine. Charlotte has no interest in me. Her happiness is all I want. Even if that's not with me."

He walked away then, knowing his shoulders were slumped. It was impossible not to feel conflicted. August was no longer in his doorway. For that he was glad. But a tightness had filled his chest, making it difficult to breathe. He knew that August wasn't a good person, but to hear a confirmation that he was merely leading Charlotte along felt almost more than he could bear.

A part of him was glad, to be sure. He knew what a despicable human the man was. But Charlotte didn't. She was in love with him. Longed for him. He made her happy.

Mrs. Harrison was right in that when Charlotte found out, if she found out, it would hurt her in the most terrible of ways. Justin knew that if she did marry August, it wouldn't be long before Charlotte learned how little she meant to him. It was apparent August was that sort of person.

Her mother's words came to him, and he entertained the thought, only for a moment, of telling her that he cared for her. But that would confuse her. Complicate things. He didn't want to risk losing her. Making her feel uncomfortable .

Oh, he could get by without a nurse, if he had to. But her friendship wasn't something he wanted to lose. Nothing was worth that. Their easy conversations, the way they would joke together—those things were valuable to him. Priceless, really.

Perhaps there was another way. He didn't need to be direct. Why, he'd simply hint that someone else might make her happier. Plant a little seed in her mind. Maybe that would open her eyes to the fact that there was someone better—much better—suited than August Middleton to be the man who received her love.