Page 23 of Brian and Cora
She waved for him to stop. “No need for formality in my case, Dr. Cameron. I’m in perfectly fine health. I came to talk to you.”
“Well, then…” He gestured toward one of the two wooden chairs in front of his desk and returned to his seat.
She took as calming a breath as her racing heart and tight corset would allow. “In New York, I was training to be a nurse. Informally, that is. My father and stepmother didn’t approve. I read medical books, volunteered at the local hospital, and sometimes at the foundling home. Because the doctors and nurses trusted me and knew of my ambitions, when time permitted, they went out of their way to teach me procedures and treatments. I didn’t just mop floors and carry slop pails.”
As she talked, the doctor sat back in his chair and rubbed his chin. Then he proceeded to ask her questions, quizzing her to ascertain her knowledge and proficiency.
Her stomach tight, Cora did her best to respond truthfully, detailing what she did know and had experience with, and also admitting when she lacked knowledge. He kept his expression bland, but interested, only nodding occasionally, so she had no idea what kind of impression she was making.
Finally, he lowered his hand and sat up. “I think ye might just have been sent by God to help me out, although I’m notquite sure how we’d do this.” Like his wife, the doctor had a faint Scottish accent. “I’ll have to think on the idea.”
Relief spread through her.
“My Alice is expecting our second child. We’re over the moon, of course.”
“Congratulations,” she murmured.
“Craig, our first, was a surprise after ten barren years when we’d long given up hope. We never dreamed to have another. We certainly never expected her to quicken so soon. Craig’s not even two.”
“Sounds like two miracle babies.”
He grinned and nodded, showing crooked teeth, before sobering. “This pregnancy is harder on her. This week in particular has been difficult. She’s tired. She has morning sickness, which she didn’t have with our first. Our Craig is an active bairn, keeping her, and me when I’m not busy with patients, on our toes. We have a housemaid, who helps out with our son and also cooks and such. But Alice has always been my nurse and insists on continuing. And frankly, there’s times when I have sore need of her. I’ve been fretting about her not getting enough rest, having too much to do….”
Neither mentioned the specter of death that always hovered over a laboring mother. Dr. Cameron probably has seen too many of his patients die and must fear for his wife.
“I want to hire a nanny. But in Sweetwater Springs, available women are few and far between. I’ve written to my family in Scotland to send over a lass, who hopefully will arrive in the next month or so.”
Is he asking me to fill in until then? Cora’s hopes sank. She did not want to be a nanny.
“If I could have someone to relieve Alice of her nursing duties, that would be helpful, indeed. I don’t know how…with you living at the Bellaires’, having to summon you if there’s acrisis…. I don’t know if that will work. But give me a few days until things settle down, and our minds have recovered from all the worrying we’ve been doing. Then we’ll talk some more.”
“Thank you, doctor. I’ll look forward to that.” She sent a longing glance at the open journal on his desk and turned to leave.
“Come back tomorrow. I have some journals Angus and I have already read. I’ll dig them out, and you can borrow them.”
“Oh, how lovely! I’ll see you tomorrow, Dr. Cameron.” Cora walked back down the hall with mixed feelings. While grateful the doctor hadn’t dismissed her out of hand, he hadn’t welcomed her with open arms like she’d hoped. But, at least he’ll allow me to read his journals.
Right now, all I can do is wait while he thinks.
So far,Cora loved almost everything about her new life in Sweetwater Springs. Residing in the elegant Bellaire-Norton mansion made the rest of the town seem quaint, rather than primitive. She was excited for the tea party today held by Delia to introduce them, well, mainly Aunt Rose, their future librarian, and looked forward to meeting and conversing with some of the ladies of Sweetwater Springs.
What she hoped for was a friend near her age—not to replace Ivy, of course. But she could already tell that without a friend to confide in and share activities with, she’d feel like something was missing in her life.
Donning her new seafoam-green day dress felt so indulgent. She ran a finger over the lace and green ribbon trim before picking up a matching length to thread through her chignon. After fluffing the fringe of bangs across her forehead andfastening on her locket, she couldn’t help twirling in front of the mirror to admire her appearance. How marvelous to wear a new outfit instead of shabby clothes in ugly colors!
With one final glance in the mirror, Cora almost dance-stepped out the door and down the hallway to the staircase. At the bottom in the entryway, she saw Rose and Delia talking while waiting for her to join them in greeting their guests.
Delia shone in a basque and skirt of molten gold with jewelry to match, and she looked up and beamed approval at Cora.
Such a kind and elegant lady’s regard made Cora’s heart warm and gave her more confidence.
Rose, too, wore a new gown in a smoky-blue color, which brightened her gray eyes, and a pearl necklace. Watching Cora descend, for the first time since her brother’s death, her aunt displayed a genuine smile, one which lit up her expression and made her appear much younger. “Oh, my, how pretty you look.”
Cora grinned back at Rose and Delia. “I think we all do Sweetwater Springs proud.”
The clink of china made Cora turn to look through the square opening into the parlor. Tilda and her daughters set out platters of fancy sandwiches, cookies, and tiny cakes on the buffet and also on small tables scattered throughout the large room.
A knock sounded on the door, and Cora’s stomach jumped.
