Page 90 of A Daring Pursuit

Geneva clutched her hands. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry? You have a brother, and now, a sister.” Docia’s fingers twisted about and tightened around Geneva’s. “I’ve missed having a sister.” A distant gaze softened her focus. “Someday, I shall tell you all about Eleanor.” She blinked and turned back into her haughty, more familiar self. “And youareyounger, which shall make it much easier to boss you about.”

Geneva smiled through a blurred vision. “I doubt that you shall find it easy. Now more than ever, you’ll have to treat my friend Abra with her due respect. Otherwise, I shall flatten you,” she choked out. She threw her arms around her newfound sister’s neck. So many questions flooded her. She withdrew, unable to meet Docia’s eyes. “Somehow, Papa—Wimbley—must have learned the truth of my… heritage. That must have been what he meant when he said…” She looked at Noah. “When he said what he said about Mama.”

“I think that was likely the case. There’s also the possibility he confronted Chaston… the former Chaston,” he said gently.

Docia gasped, her eyes going to him. “You believe he killed my father?”

“He confessed as much.”

“He was an awful man,” Geneva told her.

“I’m glad he’s dead,” Isabelle said with heartfelt emotion. “If I were already a doctor, I would not save him. I suppose I would have to, really.” She paused, her gaze going to Noah, then said, “Perhaps you should crack his skull open and study his brain, Noah.”

Sander cleared his throat. “Good gads, Isabelle. The ghastly things you come up with…”

“Well,” Verda interrupted. “I take it Miss Wimbley will be staying around awhile?”

“Of course she will be,” Noah informed her. “She’s already agreed to be my wife.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Six Months Later

Stonemare held thefresh strong scent of pine and evergreen as Noah made his way to the dining hall. He entered and found the whole of his family already seated and at different stages of breaking their fast.

A plate laden with kippers, bacon, and a gross amount of eggs sat before Julius. The latest copy ofThe London Timeshad Sander largely ignoring his own plate while Verda and Isabelle nibbled on slices of apples and pears.

The only persons missing were Docia, who’d left for London months ago, and Noah’s adorable wife, who’d vacated their bed hours ago. Shocking, as he’d kept her up long after midnight, tasting and savoring every inch of her delectable body. But, alas, he’d made true the vow of creating an office with space and light for her to work to her heart’s content. He’d chosen a large chamber in the west tower. One that could handle the tables required for all the newspapers and broadsheets her many cohorts sent to her that arrived daily.

He kept the fire tended to regularly in the event she dashed from their bed in the night with some urgent idea, as she’d explained in no uncertain terms, that must be taken down immediately “lest the sea steals the thought from my head never to return.”

Of course, Noah had wisely inclined his head at her haughty andboldedict. Such brilliance was not to be contained. He loved her as she was. If and when they were ever blessed with children, he suspected she would have no notion how to raise them. But such worries didn’t concern him.

He glanced at Julius attacking his eggs as if he hadn’t eaten in a week. Yes, Noah knew all about raising an infant.

“Coffee, sir?” Fletcher startled Noah from his musings.

“Thank you.” He took his seat at the table next to the empty chair.

“I don’t think Geneva eats enough, dear,” Verda said.

“She eats when she’s hungry, Aunt,” he said, silently agreeing. His coffee appeared along with Winfield, holding out a salver with two missives. Noah selected the one with his address. It was from Lucius.

The newspaper snapped. “Good God,” Sander said. “Listen to this:

‘A Consideration of the Gentle Sex in the Field of Medicine

Most recently, this Sapphire was approached with a most curious and progressive notion. The idea that women might not only partake in the healing arts, but indeed excel therein. Such an assertion is sure to raise eyebrows among the more traditionally minded, but this ideal should be considered with earnest reflection: the manifold of the presence of lady physicians. Just think, dear readers, what a service of this nature could offer, particularly to the gentler sex.

Possessing, as women do, their natural tenderness and compassion would bring a degree of patience and attentiveness that is particularly beneficial in the care of the sick to the practice of medicine.

The lady physician, endowed with such qualities, would excel in the gentle arts of nursing and caregiving, fostering an environment conducive to her patient’s recovery.

’Tis unfortunate, however, that the path to becoming a physician is stacked with obstacles for women. The rigorous study of anatomy, the demands of clinical practice, and, mostly, the societal prejudices that persist against women in the learned professions. Yet should a lady succeed, the rewards for herself and for her patients would be considerable indeed.

In conclusion, it is this Sapphire’s belief that her presence in the medical field would prove a great advantage to the ladies of our society. With her unique perspective, compassionate nature, and the potential to ease the delicate sensibilities of her patients, the lady physician may well come to be regarded as an invaluable asset in the noble art of healing.

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