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Chapter Thirty-Eight
Dr Ferguson Calls to Attend
"I truly do not like having to leave you like this…" Emily murmured against her daughter's ear the next morning as she hugged her goodbye. "I mean, what with your husband soon gone back to sea and all…"
She sighed dramatically as she drew back to frown at her son-in-law waiting impatiently beside the open front door to escort them from the house to their waiting carriage. "You will be all alone…"
"We are but a telegram away," Bradford said encouragingly. "Our daughter has always known what's best for herself and hers." He put a hand to his aching head, wishing he hadn't indulged himself so liberally with too much whisky the previous night. "And she's not all alone here. Not at all. She has Martha and the children to care for her. She will be fine."
"Yes, well. I still do not like it," Emily huffed. "But she is a married woman again, with her own needs and responsibilities. I do understand that now." Her mouth thinned. "And her writing."
Her expression said she still did not like that aspect, but Carolyn ignored that as she stood back. "I will be fine, Mother. And I know where you are if I need you. Please don't worry for me."
Emily fussed with her fine linen handkerchief. "I would feel better if you would at least consent to either Harriet or Hazel coming for a small visit. They have returned from their tour of foreign lands and it has been an age since they saw you or the children. They can be such a help and they wouldn't bother you, I'm sure of that."
"Thank you, Mother. But I cannot afford any more distractions for the moment," Carolyn replied, seeing her husband's sharp look of intense annoyance.
She hurried to forestall him. "I have a manuscript I must complete. If you truly love me, please say nothing to the twins, for the moment. I value my privacy."
"Oh, but…" Her mother sighed brusquely. "Very well, if you say so. And perhaps it is better if they do not catch word of your unfortunate literary pursuits. I would not know what to say or think."
Emily shook her head. "But you will see to it that you send me regular weekly updates on your progress," she affirmed casting a brief glance at her daughter's waistline. "Otherwise, I will worry." She pressed her lace-edged handkerchief to her lips.
"Of course…" Carolyn smiled cautiously. "If I need anything I will telegram you immediately." She took another step backwards, waving her hand toward the open front door.
"Good… Good…" Her father walked forward to hug her tightly and kiss her cheek. "Now we really must be going. That carriage outside is paid for by the hour and the driver idles uselessly at the gate while we tarry here. I'm not made of money, you know. I want to get home to my own bed."
He gave his daughter a quick, surreptitious wink as he smiled down at her. He leaned close to kiss her cheek again before turning to his wife and taking her arm. "Come along, Mrs Williams. Our own home awaits our return. We have been gone long enough. I do not like being a stranger to my servants."
"Yes, but…" Emily protested, even as she allowed herself to be drawn from the house and down the front path to the gate.
After a few tears and some more murmurings about staying, she was finally persuaded to climb up into the coach and Daniel shut the door firmly behind his in-laws with a grateful sigh. He and Carolyn stood together watching the carriage drive away out of sight until only the swirling dust cloud of their departure remained, hanging in the already overly warm morning air.
"I swear it's easier to remove the barnacles from the hull of my ship than to prise your mother loose from your side," he opined, drawing Carolyn's arm through the crook of his. "And as for her idea about sending those blasted cousins of yours to visit. I would keel-haul them first."
"I know…" Carolyn shook her head as they walked back toward the house. "She means well. She just doesn't know how to let go. She never did. That was the reason why Robert and I eloped. I am her single chick and she fussed with such grand plans for our wedding. It just became too overwhelming. She has never forgiven me."
"That's putting it mildly," Daniel replied with a wry laugh, as they entered the house and he slid his arms around her burgeoning waist. "I will never allow you to become like your mother," he teased gently.
"I won't allow it either…" Carolyn turned into his embrace. "I will miss you," she said before kissing him slowly.
"More than words can say," her husband agreed with a sigh.
From the kitchen came the reassuringly domestic sounds of the children chattering as they helped Martha clear the table and wash the breakfast dishes. They started laughing at something she said. These were the simple things he would miss in the lonely weeks ahead.
"I will miss Martha's cooking. I will miss holding you in my arms in the night as we are rocked to sleep on the waves." Daniel leaned down to rest his forehead against his wife's. "I must go…" he whispered. "I can feel that the tide is already starting to turn. If I linger, they will send Malcolm up to fetch me."
"I know…" Carolyn swallowed tightly. "If only we had one more hour…"
Her husband shook his head regretfully. "One more hour would run into two, then three…" He smiled ruefully. "Before we knew it, Lucius would win our bet when he sails into the Pool of London all alone and triumphant."
"Yes…" Carolyn nodded as she stood back, releasing him from her embrace. "And we can't have that," she managed to reply around a throat tight with unshed tears. "There would be no living with that man if he won. He enjoys victory just a little too much."
She inhaled, releasing a slow sigh. "And I have a manuscript I must finish. Sally has promised to come visiting soon. Also, I've made an appointment with Dr Ferguson, the new physician from the town. He will drive out to see me for my next examination. I've heard the poor young man is finding it hard to make any headway with the townsfolk. I'm sure I'm going to be far too busy to miss you." Her voice trembled.
"I love you, Mrs Gregg…" Her husband leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose before they walked arm-in-arm into the kitchen.
He said his goodbyes to the children and Martha, encouraging them and Carolyn to remain at the house. He didn't think it was wise for them all to walk down to the busy docks in the rising morning heat and brave the chaos of the ship's departure.
"If you think it's best…" Carolyn reluctantly complied with his wishes, but seeing the sense of his argument. She walked with him back into the foyer, with her arm around his waist.
"I would rather you stayed here and then I know all of you are safe and waiting for me to return," Daniel replied as he kissed her one last time. "Down at the docks, I fear I might change my mind and not sail at all…"
"Go…" Carolyn urged, standing back resolutely, folding her hands before her, away from the temptation of clinging to him and preventing his departure. She never knew it would be this hard to say goodbye.
Her husband smiled sadly as he turned away to pick up his sea bag from beside the front door and slung it over one broad shoulder. "I do love you…"
"I love you, too…" Carolyn watched him leave her there, knowing it was useless to say anything more that would further delay his longed-for return.
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Three days later:
Dr Angus Ferguson drew his somewhat tatty old buggy to a halt before the front gate of Gull Cottage. The vehicle had come with the practice he'd unexpectedly been put in sole charge of and he hadn't had any time to replace it with something more modern and convenient.
"Like a few other things around here…" He sighed as he tied off the reins and got down to stare up at the house as he collected his bag.
He'd been thrown into the running of the practice single-handed when the town's elderly doctor had suffered a debilitating stroke and been sent to live in enforced retirement with his spinster sister over in Beacon Bay. The arrangement had been made that the young doctor would pay off the buying of the practice from his monthly earnings.
Freshly released from medical school, Angus had found it to be a baptism by fire for a young man still deeply unsure of his welcome in the town, given the shiny newness of his qualifications and his boyish looks. He was supposed to only be the old man's locum for six months - doing light duties and learning as he felt his way around before he moved on.
Old Dr Feeney had doctored to the town for over sixty years and was firmly entrenched in the bones of the place. More than one frowning housewife had looked the new young doctor up and down in disbelief when he'd arrived on their doorstep to physic the patient sheltered within.
Many had looked beyond him for any reassuring sign of old Doc Feeney. His absence from the scene only deepened the patient's reluctance to be treated by someone so young and fresh. But Dr Ferguson had dug in and persisted. He had also taken to carrying his medical degree in his bag, just in case.
"Well, here goes nothing…" he murmured as he walked slowly up to the front door of Gull Cottage.
He stroked one finger along the line of his moustache. That too now seemed to be a pointless exercise in frustration. No matter how much he tried it was still no more than a line of fuzz, barely worthy of the name. But he persisted with it only to distract the patient's frowning attentions from the youthfulness of his features.
The late morning sunshine burned down on his shoulders, making him uncomfortable in his heavy woollen formal attire. He raised one hand to run a finger around inside the starched constriction of his collar and necktie.
He'd also inherited his predecessor's mature housekeeper. Mrs Hudson believed in being thorough in all things. Her new young doctor was not going to be turned out looking unkempt and uncared for. She had her valued reputation to think of.
"Damnation take it…" Angus shifted against the itch of the wool against his sensitive skin.
He longed to be able to shed his clothing and go swimming in the ocean. The main reason he'd chosen to locum in the town. For the proximity to the cool Atlantic waters.
He'd been surprised and flattered to receive a request for an appointment from Mrs Carolyn Gregg. He knew of her and the fact she was married to one of the town's foremost sea captains. But this would be their first meeting.
He was desperate to make a good impression. It could only help his cause with the townsfolk if the lady of the house spoke well of him. But he was also un-used to dealing with ladies in the delicate state of pregnancy. He'd returned to his medical books and had read up on everything he possibly could.
"You can do this…" He raised his hand to the door knocker, using it with an authority he didn't feel.
In answer to his knock, the front door swung open slowly, creaking eerily on its hinges. But there was no one in sight.
"Hello?" Angus frowned, peering into the interior.
"Good morning." Jonathan appeared from behind the door to greet him, taking a bite from the large oatmeal and raisin cookie in his hand.
"Ah, good morning…" The young doctor looked down, his taut stomach dropping with relief at the sight of the child. "I'm Dr Ferguson. I'm here to see, Mrs Gregg."
Children seemed to accept him without question. Almost as if they saw him as still young and one of them. It didn't make his work any easier.
"That's right. Mother said you'd be calling by today to see her." Jonathan stood back, his cookie-laden hand dropping to his side. "Please come in. My mother's upstairs in her room."
"Thank you…" The doctor stepped quickly over the threshold and stood looking all around.
Unseen by his young master, Scruffy sneaked from the kitchen and snatched the dangling cookie from his hand. The animal raced away through the open front door as he gobbled up his prize.
"Hey!" Jonathan set off after him. "You give that back!"
Angus was left alone in the foyer, staring after the boy and his pet. The skin between his shoulder blades began to itch with awareness. He suddenly had the unwelcome sensation of being watched by an unseen gaze. As he turned and moved further into the house seeking direction, he drew level with the open living room doors.
He frowned at the stern portrait of a man that was hanging above the fireplace. The frowning blue eyes seemed to be boring deep into his soul and they carried an explicit warning. How a painted image could appear to be judging him, the young man didn't know. But he eased his collar and necktie for a second time.
"What a… splendid-looking fellow," he commented enviously, needing to fill the heavy, brooding silence. He felt a deep stab of envy. "And that is one very excellent moustache."
"It sure is…" Jonathan walked back to his side, having given up the pursuit of his pet. "That's my father. That's Captain Gregg. I want to look just like him when I grow up. I want to go to sea, as well. I've already sailed as his second cabin boy," he confided with pride.
"Ah, I see…" The young doctor shook his head. "A very fine-looking fellow, indeed."
He turned away with a heavy sigh. "You said your mother is upstairs, young man?"
"Yes, Sir…" Jonathan nodded. "I'll go and get Martha. She'll show you up."
The boy hurried into the kitchen, leaving the doctor to look all around enviously. He tightened his grip on his medical bag. One day he just might be able to afford a grand house like this with its generous proportions and fine workmanship.
Martha bustled into the foyer, bringing the delicious scents of fresh baking and a welcome sense of normalcy. "Oh, good morning, Doctor. I was outside in the garden and didn't hear you arrive." She beamed at him, even though a shadow of doubt shone in her eyes. "And you're right on time too. Please to follow me."
She wiped her hands on her apron, then indicated the staircase before walking up the steps. Angus followed, feeling as if the Captain's critical eyes were still boring into his back.
They arrived at the beginning of a long broad hallway with closed doors on either side. The housekeeper led him toward a door with a large brass knocker. She opened it and put her head around the edge.
"The doctor's here. May we come in?" she asked of someone unseen within.
"Of course, thank you, Martha." Carolyn looked up from her writing.
The housekeeper stood back, indicating for the young doctor to enter the room. "Do you want me to stay, Mrs Gregg?" she asked.
"Thank you, Martha. But I think we'll be fine," Carolyn replied, watching the young man standing nervously just outside the room clutching his bag.
"If you say so. But I don't know if the Captain would agree. I'll be downstairs when you need me to show him out again," Martha remarked, giving Angus another once-over look of concern.
"Thank you." He braced himself as he walked in. Martha shook her head as she closed the door behind him and returned downstairs.
"Good morning, Mrs Gregg…" The young man smiled, fully intending to bluff his way through and make a good first impression. He walked to the desk with his hand outstretched and a look of stern gravitas pinned firmly to his face.
Carolyn smiled as she stood to take his hand and the young man grasped her fingers firmly. "I am very pleased to meet you."
"As I was pleased to receive your message." Angus nodded briskly. He set his bag down on the desk and opened it. "Ah, you asked for your first pregnancy examination. You estimated that you're about four months along already."
He fought to keep the rush of warmth from invading his cheeks. He had yet to deal with many pregnant ladies. More often, the female patients in his practice dispensed with his services completely, preferring the attendance of the town's vastly experienced midwife.
"Yes, that's right, Doctor," Carolyn agreed, watching him with questioning eyes. "My last two pregnancies were straightforward and uneventful. I can only hope for the same this time."
"Yes, of course…" Angus frowned down into his open bag. "I met your young son downstairs. A fine boy. Ah, first I would like to wash my hands." He held them up before him.
"The bathroom is just down the hall," Carolyn directed him with a widening smile.
The young man's earnestness intrigued her. She watched him hurry from the room and was grateful Daniel was not here to observe him. No doubt his stern authority would have made the poor young man even more nervous than he already was.
"Excellent," Dr Ferguson returned quickly. "Shall we get on with your examination? Would you care to lie down on the bed for me? I wish to make you comfortable, Mrs Gregg."
He reached into his open bag and drew out a linen-wrapped parcel. He opened it carefully, laying out his instruments as Carolyn toed off her shoes and lay down on the bed.
The young doctor looked up, drawing a steadying breath as he approached the bed. Carolyn smiled confidently at him, as he drew up the folded coverlet from the end of the bed and spread it over her as a cover.
"If you would care to remove your undergarments," he asked, still trying to sound stern and in charge.
"It's all right," Carolyn encouraged, as she reached beneath the coverlet and her skirts to take off her underwear. "I have already seen a Harley Street doctor when I was in London. He pronounced everything was as it should be and the baby has a good, strong heartbeat. He said he didn't expect there to be any complications."
"Harley Street?" Angus's voice rose a couple of octaves in shock. "Oh, my… Um, well then, you have had the very best of care, haven't you?" His small laughter was nervous and uncertain. "Harley Street…" he repeated with a bemused shake of his head.
"You will be fine…" Carolyn encouraged him. "I've heard about how hard you're trying to make everything work for you with the town. That's why I asked for you instead of the midwife. I have confidence in you. I have heard nothing but good things about your work."
"Thank you…" Angus's breath left him in a rush as he turned his attention to the end of the bed. "But, Harley Street…" He shook his head again as he carefully lifted the edge of the coverlet to begin his examination.
※※※※※
Half an hour later, the young man had completed his work. He repacked his bag with an air of welcome satisfaction as Carolyn redressed herself beneath the coverlet. "I'm happy to confirm that the dates your Harley Street doctor indicated, Mrs Gregg, are correct. With the good Lord's grace, this will be a baby born somewhere around Christmas time. Rather fitting, I think."
"Thank you, Dr Ferguson…" Carolyn got off the bed, pushing her feet back into her shoes before standing to rearrange her petticoats and dress. "I'll come down and see you out."
"Thank you, Mrs Gregg," the doctor replied as she followed her from the room. He glanced into the living room again as they passed the open doors. As before the painting appeared to be glaring at him disapprovingly.
He shook his head as he adjusted the set of his necktie. "Do call me if you feel there's anything that comes up that you need to talk about."
"I will do that, Doctor. Thank you."
Ferguson held out his hand to shake hers. "And I do hope all goes well for you…" His gaze flicked to the portrait above the mantlepiece. "And your captain."
"Thank you, Doctor…" Carolyn said again as she opened the front door. "I'm sure everything will be fine. Goodbye and thank you for coming."
"Well, you're a strong woman and the baby seems to be in excellent health. I'm sure everything will be fine. Goodbye." Ferguson nodded as he left the house.
Martha appeared from the kitchen as Carolyn turned away from closing the front door. "How'd it all go?" she asked anxiously. "Good, I hope."
Carolyn walked forward to hug her closely, kissing her cheek. "Everything's fine. More than fine, it seems. Dr Ferguson was pleased with my progress. That will certainly ease the Captain's mind."
"I'm so glad…" Martha returned her hug. "After all that you've both been through. I'm sure your child will be the spitting image of the Captain. If it's a boy," she amended quickly. "A girl should look like her mother."
"Yes…" Carolyn smiled. "Perhaps the child will also have his stubborn nature? We shall have to wait to find out," she replied. "I can hope for a healthy baby with all its ten fingers and toes. A boy or a girl, I don't care which."
"And your parents?" Martha asked quietly, watching her friend closely. "Now that you know all is well, your mother will wish to be updated about your progress. You know her."
"Yes, my parents…" Carolyn sighed roughly. "I'll telegraph them tomorrow. I dread the idea of my mother letting word slip to either Harriet or Hazel. That will be all the excuse they need to arrive at the house, uninvited. They will disrupt everything."
"Hazel was as welcome as a bad toothache last time…" Martha shook her head with a frown. "If the two of them decided to descend on us…"
"My thoughts exactly," Carolyn replied. "But there will be no escaping them once they know."
"Well, let's hope that the Captain arrives home beforehand to look after you. I would like to see the twins try to wheedle their way around him. He's not so easily fooled."
"No, he isn't…" Carolyn took comfort from the statement.
But the idea of a visit from either of her well-meaning but misguided cousins made her frown. As soon as they heard the glad news, they would feel they had the right to intrude once more and how could she refuse?
Running away to sea again held a great deal of appeal. She sighed and shrugged as she made her way back upstairs to continue her work.
※※※※※
Three weeks later:
Carolyn sat at her desk, completing the writing of her latest manuscript in the quiet of her bedroom. The time ticked slowly by on her bedside clock, but she ignored the rumblings of hunger in her abdomen as the sun climbed to its zenith and then began to fall back toward the horizon behind the house.
She had been alone for some time now. Martha had taken the children into town for a shopping trip before a much-anticipated visit to the ice cream parlour as a well-earned treat. They had been gone for most of the day.
She needed to get her final draft completed and ready for Sally Hall to collect. Her editor was waiting impatiently for the new instalment and had decided to come visiting to discuss their future plans.
"At last…" Carolyn murmured as she typed the welcome words, THE END.
She leaned back in her chair with a grateful sigh. Her shoulders and arms were sore, as were her back and neck. But it was the good ache of a task well done and completed.
"'Love Conquers All…'" she read the title of the new manuscript slowly.
It was a highly romanticised account of her many adventures aboard a fictional ship with her handsome and dashing sea captain. Just the thing to whet the appetites of her voracious readers who were always clamouring for more. And to silence the sour grouching of Ellsworth Hall who didn't seem to recognise a good thing when he read it. She relished the opportunity to prove the man wrong once more. It made her even more determined to succeed.
"I could wish that you were still here with me, now…" Carolyn shook her head as she turned in her chair to look out the windows behind her, seeing the sunlight playing across the restless Atlantic waters.
She well remembered that last night they were together as husband and wife. Her man walking back toward their bed, naked and magnificent. Her cheeks heated with the memory even as her whole body tightened with fresh need and desire. Of course, none of those vivid imaginings would ever make it into any of her manuscripts.
"Oh, my, no…" Her lips curved in sensual remembering even as she shook her head with regret.
What a scandal it would cause if she ever did imagine including such wanton imagery. Such vivid imaginings were for them, alone. Their ongoing delight in adding to her never-ending list of likes and dislikes in their lovemaking. She knew she was extremely lucky to have such an understanding husband and generous lover.
"Oh, Daniel…" If she closed her eyes she could hear again the snap of the freshening wind in the billowing sails of the Carolyn and the chuckle of the waters cleaved in twain by her sharp keel. Her very own handsome and dashing sea captain was aboard, standing in his place beside Mr Javis at the wheel as both men watched the vast waters around them for any fresh signs of danger or unrest.
"Be well, my love…" she whispered longingly. "Be safe…"
She yearned to be with him, all the while knowing it was not possible until after her babe was born. But her heart still felt heavy and sore as she frowned at the ocean's far horizon knowing her beloved was far beyond it somewhere. She sent him her fervent prayers for a safe and speedy return.
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