Second
. o O o .
"Although not a gentleman physician he's apparently an uncommonly good surgeon and apothecary," Ruby's grandmother suddenly declared into the lull in the dinner conversation. "Old Mrs. Ginger told me herself that she had been forced to send for him last time Whale was unavailable, and he made such a good impression that she swore she would send only for him in the future."
Though the words were positive in nature Granny Lucas's tone told another story altogether. Forcing herself not to sigh Ruby looked up from her dinner. She could sense her sisters brace themselves on either side of her, but they remained silent. "Of whom are you speaking, Granny?"
The raised eyebrow told Ruby her grandmother was not fooled by her show of ignorance.
"You know perfectly well, child! It's a wonder he didn't retract the proposal immediately. To refuse to see the groom at all before the wedding day!"
"Mr. Hopper didn't protest the arrangement, Granny."
"Perhaps he should have! It is not proper. I think you'll find you two will go well together, you both disregard the rules of good company!"
Ruby clenched her jaw to keep a crass retort at bay. She had sent the letter declaring her intentions of not meeting her future husband before the wedding day without her grandmother's knowledge, and had only informed her after the fact and after she received the positive reply from Mr. Hopper. Her grandmother had been livid at the impropriety of it all, and even now, nearly a week later, she was making her displeasure abundantly clear.
Only half listening to her grandmother's tirade Ruby finished her dinner in stony silence. She would not regret her act of rebellion; let Mr. Hopper learn immediately that she would not be cowed! However, Ruby amended, wincing as her grandmother's voice rose and broke into her musings, in the spirit of familial harmony she better quit the house for a few hours. It was her experience that when her grandmother was annoyed with her it was best to remove herself completely and let her sisters soothe her grandmother's ruffled feathers on her behalf - they were much more proficient at it; Ruby somehow always ended up making both herself and her grandmother even angrier than they had been to begin with. They were probably too much alike to see perfectly eye to eye. No, better she take a long walk to calm herself and let her sisters work their magic in peace.
The snow had finally started melting, the first rays of the spring sun doing its best to thaw the icy ground, and Ruby set out with rising spirits. From an outsider's view she might appear to meander with no particular destination in mind as she crossed field after field, climbing over stiles and springing over puddles with excited activity, but when she reached the muddy road leading southwards she kept to it.
As she walked along at a comfortable pace she kept a weather eye on the horizon, looking for a certain figure, hoping he would appear in the distance. It was a stubborn kind of optimism that had kept her returning to this path again and again ever since their strange and unconventional encounter a month or so back when the snow had still covered the ground. It was clear he didn't venture this way often, or at least not at times when she was lucky enough to chance a meeting, but she didn't know where else to seek him - so she returned to the one spot she had seen him and hoped.
This day her optimism was rewarded, but as he came from the other direction he was almost upon her before she turned and discovered him. Jumping back with a startled yet delighted laugh she raised a hand to her chest to still her suddenly madly beating heart.
"My apologies, my friend!" He cried in dismay as he dismounted and reached out to steady her. "I pray I did not give you too bad a fright!"
She waved his concerns away with a happy grin, silently guessing her heart would beat just as madly even if she had seen him in the distance and had been given the chance to prepare. "Not at all, dear friend," she assured him warmly. "'Twas but a momentary fright, nothing more than a refreshing rush of the senses!"
He smiled and looked much relieved at her words. "I am glad to hear it."
Feeling suddenly uncharacteristically flustered and nervous Ruby averted her gaze and fiddled with her gloves. She had looked for him, hoped to meet him again, but finding herself face to face with him now... She was acutely aware of the state of her frock: a good four inches of mud caked the bottom of her petticoat from her walk and letting her gown down did not do much to hide it. She probably looked a fright! She mentally cringed. Just like last time. But at least this time she was wearing her bonnet so her hair looked more or less manageable... Still, she would so have wanted to make a good impression – at least one better than the first.
"It is good to see you again."
Daring a look at him she saw to her surprise that his face was lit with barely contained happiness as he regarded her almost shyly, apparently either oblivious to or uncaring about her shabby appearance, and his words sounded endearingly sincere.
How strange that such a simple greeting would make her stomach flutter so! Ruby curtsied and hoped she wasn't blushing.
"You are well, I hope?" He sounded genuinely interested and Ruby felt herself further charmed by his earnestness.
"Very well indeed today, my friend," she replied, but didn't add: 'Better now for your company.' though she wanted to. "I was not expecting you from that direction," she admitted with a laugh at her own expense, his kind words and warm demeanour loosening her tongue and brushing her nervousness away. "Many a day I've been looking for you, but always has my search been towards -" Her hand which had motioned towards the horizon in illustration stilled suddenly as her words registered in her mind. She hastily lowered it and looked down, feeling her cheeks flame.
"You... You've been looking for me?"
His voice was so hopeful that Ruby dared to lift her eyes to his. Green eyes met blue and she felt the embarrassment ease its grip and let go, being replaced by something light and happy.
"I have," she admitted, much emboldened by the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice.
"You honour me, my friend," he murmured with a soft smile, but looking a little wistful. "I must in turn profess that I have hoped to catch a glimpse of you as well, every time I have ventured out this way. You have made the most powerful of impressions upon my mind."
Feeling both pride and happiness rush through her Ruby stepped closer, smiling her wicked smile and feeling decidedly wicked too when he blushed.
"Would you mind if I walked with you for a while?" He asked shyly. "I have no pressing matters at the moment and would welcome a stroll in good company."
Feeling practically giddy at the prospect Ruby readily accepted and taking his proffered arm they started down the path at a comfortable pace. Ruby giggled as the mare followed at a polite distance even without being lead by the reins. Her companion chuckled and with a nod in the horse's direction he jested: "She's on her best behaviour around you, my friend. No doubt trying to make up for the disastrous first impression!"
"Wouldn't want me to think her a savage horse without any manners whatsoever, hm?" Ruby jested in turn. "Well, I do believe she is slowly but surely making her way back into my good graces."
He laughed and Ruby felt flush with pleasure at the sound. He had a wonderfully pleasant laugh, and it made her feel both happy and safe to hear it. She resisted tightening her grip on his arm, forcing herself to not step even closer.
Though both keenly aware of the impropriety of their conduct - not being introduced and on their own without a chaperone being but two infractions upon good manners of which they were guilty - neither could bring themselves to be the one to address the issue. Because if it was mentioned then the little comfortable world they had created between them, their unexpected safe haven, would be shattered beyond recall. So by unvoiced agreement neither mentioned anything serious, speaking instead of the weather, the beauty of the countryside, books and art, small but insignificant episodes in their lives – nothing that could jeopardise their promise to remain merely two souls in similar straits, drawing strength and comfort from each other.
Though he didn't say overly much he still proved to be an engaging conversationalist; he asked sensible questions and gave his thoughts freely when she asked for them, and what he said gave proof of good sense and good principles. When she spoke he listened intently, giving her the sense that he valued every word that escaped from her mouth. For Ruby who was used to her beaus only half-listening to what she had to say or listening with a look of bored indulgence, his undivided and earnest attention was both flattering and encouraging. Ruby decided that upon the whole she would pronounce his mind well-informed, his enjoyment of books exceedingly great, his imagination lively, his humour quite compatible with her own, and his observation just and correct. The fact that they seemed to agree on most, though not all, matters was to the young woman further proof of his good character despite the lack of serious matters in their discourse. Ruby was enjoying herself immensely, not recalling last she felt as comfortable and happy in conversation.
"So what brings you out here on this fine day, sir?"
"Oh, I've been visiting the Nolans." He replied without hesitation, seemingly completely unconcerned about the rudeness of her direct personal question. "Mrs. Noland is -" His words were interrupted as his stomach loudly declared its hunger and he blushed with a self-conscious chuckle. "I beg your pardon, miss. I've not eaten since dawn and it seems my stomach is protesting the oversight."
"Not eaten since dawn!" She exclaimed with a gasp. "My dear sir, mount your horse at once! Though it shall hurt me to see you go, I would not be so selfish as to keep you starving! Shoo! Away with you!"
He made as if to protest but she gave him a mock scowl and wagged her finger at him. Chuckling good naturedly he raised his hands in surrender before graciously obeying her command.
But once he was in the saddle Ruby reached up to place a hand on his knee and looked at him imploringly. "Promise me you will take care of yourself," she begged him in all seriousness, an unexpected protectiveness blooming in her chest.
I would take good care of you, she vowed silently. I would greet you when you came home with food and drink and comfort, and you would be led to a warm fire and loving company... We would speak like we have spoken today, free of censure, and we would be safe in the knowledge that no judgement would be cast upon us by the other.
But of course it was not to be. She would just have to content herself with a promise from him to take care of himself. "Promise me, sir."
He looked at her with a mien suggestion that no one had ever asked such a promise from him, and she could tell he was moved by her words.
"Your concern do you credit, my friend," he said softly, placing his hand over hers, leaning down to look her in the eye. "I shall do my best to oblige you in all things, this included."
The air was heavy with unspoken thoughts as they gazed at each other. When he at long last straightened his smile had turned melancholy and her heart felt heavy. He tipped his hat to her and she curtsied, and with that he was gone and she was alone again.
. o O o .
To be continued...