Cassidy's War Page 18

  “I don’t know what to tell you, Cassie. I’m not experienced in love and marriage.”

  Cassidy swallowed. “I don’t understand George. I still can’t believe he actually got into a fist fight with Madison.”

  “After knowing George as long as I have, I must admit, I wasn’t surprised.” Quinn’s eyebrow arched. “What’s hard to imagine, is that he lost control when he’s been investigating the man. Don’t tell me they were fighting over you?”

  Her face heated, but she laughed to cover her embarrassment. “I’m not sure what they were fighting about. Seems they had words, and I just assumed George was jealous of the attention the doctor paid me.”

  Quinn grinned. “I believe ol’ George has never quite gotten over you after all these years.”

  Cassidy flushed recalling the morning she’d spent in George’s room. If Quinn knew, he’d likely be on his way to sock George in the jaw.

  “I was all set to marry him right after the war.” Cassidy spread her arms and stepped back to the table. “He’s the one who left me at the altar. Not the other way around.” She slid out a chair and sat. “And now I fear he’s cavorting with other women behind my back.”

  Quinn shook his head, pulling out the chair he’d vacated and sat across from her. “Not sure what to tell you, Cassie, but I feel sure he’s regretted his decision to leave every day of his life since.”

  She bit her lip. “I just don’t understand the man. He acts like he loves me but can’t stick around long enough for anything to develop.”

  “And what about you and Madison?”

  She shrugged. “He thinks he’s courting me, but I’m only after information. Maybe he’ll slip up.”

  “I don’t like it much.” Quinn shook his head. “He could hurt you.”

  She sighed. “As I told George, I’m being careful. I won’t allow him to get me alone anywhere. If we’re courting, as he thinks, it wouldn’t be proper anyway.”

  “Good.” Quinn leaned back, lifting his hands behind his head.

  She cradled her chin in her hands. “George is a complicated man. I thought I’d come to finally know him before he left. But now...” She straightened her spine and spread her hands. “The picnic took me completely by surprise.”

  Quinn quirked a brow. “Seems to me the man is smitten.”

  She huffed out a breath.

  “So, what’s the plan of attack against Madison?”

  “I’ll continue to allow him to court me, and you have to get busier with Miss Baker. She should be over her throat ailment by now. Maybe you could catch her in town and inquire as to how she’s feeling.”

  Quinn grinned. “Better if you did that.”

  Cassidy tapped his forearm. “Go on. I suspect she’ll be thrilled to see you again and welcome your attention.”

  Quinn sat back. “I’ll tell her you sent me by with your blessings.”

  “There you go.” She sipped her drink. “We have to flush Madison out. Between the three of us...”

  Quinn set his glass down and cupped his chin in his hand. “You’re including George, I reckon.”

  She nodded. “I know he’s still with us. At least, I hope he is.”

  “Despite everything going on, you’re still in love with him.” He pointed a finger. “That’s why you’ve never married.”

  “And who are you to talk?” She glared.

  “I’ve been too busy studying medicine to look for a woman I could settle down with.”

  She smiled. “I’ll bet once you call on Miss Baker she’ll have you eating out of her hand. I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

  “You’re absolutely sure she doesn’t have a beau hidden away somewhere she’s been writing passionate letters to?” He grinned.

  “Not that I’ve heard.” She tapped his arm again. “After you examine her throat, invite her to the ice cream parlor.”

  He laughed. “I thought Sarah was the matchmaker in this family.”

  “Seriously, Quinn. We have to draw her out before Madison drives our practice into the ground.” She bit her lip.

  “In the meantime, I want you to try to stay out of the good doctor’s clutches.”

  “I will.” She stood and hugged her brother around the neck. “We work well as a team, don’t we?”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Cassidy kept company with Sarah in the parlor through the evening. Her sister muttered and sighed, attempting to knit a cap for her coming baby. Cassidy tried to help, but the end result had to be pulled out and redone.

  “Oh, I’m just no good at this!” Sarah complained. “Wes assures me I’ll be a good mother, but I just don’t know.” She stood and stretched her back. “I can’t abide this much longer.” She rubbed her hand over her stomach. “He kicks all the time, and I can’t ever get enough sleep.”

  Cassidy laughed. “Means you’re going to have a healthy, active child. You should be glad.”

  “But babies are such hard work. Poor Wes can’t afford help right now, and he has to travel so much.” She turned her mournful gaze on Cassidy. “He used to take me with him, but now I’ll have to stay home with the baby.”

  Cassidy reached for her sister’s hand. “It’s called responsibility, Sis. You should have known once you’d married Wes, this would be the end result.”

  Sarah frowned. “I guess. But I’d always thought of children coming way ahead in the future. This happened much too soon for me.”

  “Well...Wes is just getting his business dealings started. In time, I’m sure he’ll earn enough for you to get some help. Then you can leave your children behind and go on trips again.”

  Her sister heaved a harsh breath as she settled on the chair. “Children? I’m having a hard enough time dealing with this little one.”

  Cassidy sighed. “That’s what marriage is. You make a home with your husband and have little ones.” She yawned and stretched. “I think I’ll just go on up to bed.”

  Sarah glanced at the clock. “It’s too early, Cassie. I’m the one who should be tired.”

  “Well, I do need to catch up on my reading.”

  “You’re not reading those medical journals Quinn gave you again?”

  “No...as a matter of fact, I’m reading a novel by Elizabeth Wetherell called The Wide, Wide World.”

  “Is it good?” Sarah’s brow quirked.

  Cassidy rose and smoothed out her skirts. “I don’t know. I’ve just started reading.”

  “When you’re done with the book, pass it on to me.” Sarah rose too, arching her back. “I could use a good novel to read.”

  Cassidy nodded and bade her sister goodnight.

  In her room, she tried to read, but the words swam before her eyes, her thoughts a jumble. George was the love of her life, but she feared to trust him again. Would he stay in town once this business with Madison finished? George had said he planned to ask her to marry him again, but he may have used the ploy to charm her into his bed. She’d made a big mistake by succumbing to his charms. He said he loved her, but she’d always have doubts about him straying. What if he left again? After all the heartache he’d dealt her, he shouldn’t be the only man who made her heart leap and pulse race with anticipation of just catching a glimpse of him.

  ****

  Monday while Cassidy, Quinn, and her mother were having lunch, a knock sounded at the front door. Quinn excused himself and reappeared to announce. “We have a guest.” He turned, his scowl focused on Dr. Madison standing behind him.

  The doctor smiled at her mother, but when his dark gaze settled on Cassidy, his lips curved downward. Her mother ushered him to a seat. As he sat, she set up a plate for him and poured a glass of lemonade.

  Cassidy tried to keep her expression neutral, but his gaze seemed to bore into her. His brow knitted, and his lips thinned to form a rigid line.

  Her mother resumed her seat and glanced at Madison. “A pleasure to see you again, Doctor.”

  “Thank you, ma’am, I mainly dropped by to see if
your daughter was all right.”

  “As you can see, she’s fine.” Her mother frowned. “Why are you so concerned?”

  “I discovered Mr. Masters had returned to town. I’m not sure what he’s up to, but I’d hate to see Miss Stuart taken in by such an unsavory man.”

  “Tell me, Doctor, why are you so concerned for my welfare?” Cassidy asked candidly.

  Her mother’s brows rose. Cassidy glanced at Quinn. His gaze fixed on Madison.

  “I’d hoped we had something special between us,” the doctor said. “I was puzzled when you neglected to tell me you were going on a trip.” He held Cassidy with his gaze. “And at dinner Saturday night, you changed the subject every time I inquired about your jaunt to Philadelphia. I’ve spent the last few nights tossing, wondering what I’d done wrong. I stayed away yesterday but made the decision that I must speak to you today. I’d like to know where I stand with you, Miss Stuart.”

  She shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet.”

  “Perhaps it would be best if we discussed this at another time.” Dr. Madison’s face turned pink.

  She glanced sidelong at her brother. Quinn set down his fork.

  “Well,” her mother said. “I think we should talk about what you two did when you were in the city.”

  “Yes.” Madison leaned back in his chair. “I’d like to know what you two did there also.”

  Quinn saved Cassidy from having to answer. “I learned a few of the new antiseptic surgical techniques at Pennsylvania Hospital not yet available at Harrisburg, and Cassie applied as a student at Female Medical College.”

  “Interesting.” Madison poked his fork into his potato salad. “I do recall you saying you wanted to apply to that school, Miss Stuart.”

  “And you implied you’d help me get in.” She scowled.

  “Ah, so I did. You must forgive me. Apparently you were unhappy with me at dinner over this misunderstanding. I promise to make it up to you.” He sipped his drink. “I’d have been more than happy to take you to Philadelphia.”

  “Is that so?” Cassidy folded her arms across her chest.

  “Cassie!” her mother scolded. “Mind your manners at the table.”

  “Sorry, Ma.” But she stared Madison down, daring him to answer her question.

  Quinn cleared his throat. “If you’ll all excuse me, I have things to look after.” Her brother rose from the table and gave her a pointed look before leaving.

  Her mother started talking about her vegetable crop in the garden. Dr. Madison politely engaged her but kept stealing glances across the table at Cassidy.

  She decided the best course would be to wait until after lunch and have a private talk with the doctor.

  ****

  After lunch, her mother invited Dr. Madison to dinner, but he begged off, explaining he had work to attend to. Before he left, he asked Cassidy if she would go for a walk with him in the early evening. She agreed, because she wanted to set things straight between them.

  He arrived bearing another bouquet of flowers. Her mother scooped them up to place in a vase, while Cassidy pinned her new straw hat on her head.

  “I missed you when you were away. You grow more beautiful every day, Miss Stuart.” He lifted his elbow for her to take.

  For mid-May, the evening was breezy and cool with a clear blue sky. The sun wouldn’t be setting for a few more hours.

  They strolled down the path and turned toward the center of town. Dr. Madison tipped his hat to all the ladies passing by, and Cassidy caught more than a few knowing smiles. Did everyone expect her to marry this man?

  Her thoughts were in such a whirl she didn’t notice they neared his home. Instead of escorting her up onto the wraparound porch, he edged her around the side of the house. A colorful garden of roses, petunias, and marigolds left the small area awash in color.

  “I hadn’t realized you had such a grand garden,” Cassidy said.

  He led her to a bench set up amidst the blooms. “The perfect place for the two of us to have a private talk.” He inclined his head. “Unless you’d like to go inside?”

  She licked her lips. “Is the maid still working?”

  He chuckled. “I’m afraid she’s gone home for the day. You’d likely think it improper to go inside with her away. Or would you?”

  She bristled. “I most certainly would.”

  Did he want to talk about the real reason she’d gone to Philadelphia or something else?

  He settled on the bench beside her and draped his arm across the back above her shoulder. She stiffened. Several yards away stood his nearest neighbor’s house, but no one seemed out at this hour. Surely someone would hear her if she screamed.

  “Miss Stuart...” He leaned in close. The strong scent of tobacco threatened to choke her. “Over the past few weeks I’ve come to care a great deal for you.”

  “Oh.” She sat up straighter to discourage him from brushing against her.

  “I hoped you’d come to feel the same for me.” He frowned.

  “I-I’m not sure about anything right now.”

  “But you’re of an age where you need the comfort of a husband, a home of your own, and children.”

  Her face heated and she stood, dislodging his arm. It plopped onto the seat.

  He jumped up beside her and grasped both her hands. “Miss Stuart...or may I call you Cassie?”

  “I-I don’t think it would be proper.”

  “It will be soon, my dear.” He smiled and she shivered, fearing his next move.

  He lifted her arm and led her down the garden path, toward the back of the house. He plucked a red rose and presented the fragrant bloom to her.

  She took the offering, but the sharp prick of a thorn bit into her thumb wrenching a gasp from her.

  “I’m so sorry,” Madison said. “I should have removed the thorns before handing it to you.”

  He took the rose from her and lifted her injured hand. He pressed his lips against the spot. A warm tingle accompanied his touch, but she had the urge to recoil.

  “Dr. Madison, please...”

  “Call me Scott.”

  “I don’t think...”

  He leaned in and planted his heated mouth on hers. She tried to pull away, but he held tight, trying to force his tongue between her lips.

  Twisting away from him, she broke free and sprinted toward the front of the house, hoping to catch anyone’s attention.

  He grasped her hand and yanked her back. “Cassie, don’t leave. I have something very important to ask you.”

  She swallowed hard but didn’t dare allow him to lead her back into the garden. She glanced toward the front of the house. She wouldn’t allow him to force her inside.

  His gaze sought hers. “I care for you very deeply, Cassie. I want us to combine our medical practices. You’d be an excellent assistant.”

  “But what about Quinn?” She racked her brain for a way to extract herself from this whole situation.

  He frowned. “Surely, your brother could do better by finding a position at a city hospital. I’d like you to marry me.”

  She bit her lip, glancing to and fro. “I can’t.”

  “You can’t?” He frowned. “You can’t or you won’t?”

  “Dr. Madison... Scott...now isn’t the time to discuss this.” She pulled her hand away from his and turned to the front of the house.

  Rough hands spun her around. She glanced up into his reddened face.

  “You will marry me. I’ve planned the whole thing out. You’ll move into my home, and we’ll work together. Your brother can go off and find a position wherever he likes.”

  She shook her head. “Quinn already turned down a position in Harrisburg. He wants to revive our father’s practice.” The doctor’s hand on her upper arm tightened. “You’re hurting me. Let go!”

  He gripped her, pinching into her flesh.

  “Ow!” She kicked him in the shin, then yanked her arm away.

  “We have nothing more to discuss.” She spun
on her heel and raced up the path.

  “Come back here, you bitch!” he ordered.

  She gathered her skirts and raced down the cobbled path. As she rounded the front of the house, a man and woman strolling by stopped to gape.

  Her face hot, she hurried past them toward the center of town. A shout caused her to turn her head. She caught sight of Dr. Madison kicking the fence post at the front of the house.

  She turned and strode ahead, not daring to look back again.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  George left his hotel room and strolled to the tavern for a bite to eat. He’d agonized most of the night before over what to do about Cassidy. He didn’t want her socializing or being anywhere near Madison. If he told her he worked as a Pinkerton agent, would the revelation redeem his actions in her eyes, or would the fact he’d lied to her, hurt his chances of ever getting her back? Although he wanted her in his life, his main purpose right now was to see her safe.

  As he exited the building, he spotted a dark-haired woman in black racing up the street.

  “Cassie!” he called.

  She didn’t answer. He sprinted after her, caught her arm, and spun her around. Puffiness around her face and stained cheeks told him she’d been crying.

  “Cassie, what’s wrong?”

  She pulled on the brim of the hat, half concealing her face. “Nothing, George. Go back to whatever you were doing.”

  “I am not leaving you like this.” He glanced down the street. “Did Madison hurt you?”

  She shook her head. “All he did was propose marriage.”

  George’s blood heated. “And what did you tell him?”

  “I told him, no, of course.” She scowled.

  Relief surged through his body. He pulled a handkerchief from his vest pocket and offered it to her. “Good for you. Now dry your eyes.”

  She dabbed her face with his hanky, then her face puckered. “George, I don’t know what to do. I want this to be over.”

  He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Being close to her and inhaling her sweet scent brought back all the passion of the morning in his hotel room.

  “Come with me,” he said. “I need to talk to you.” He glanced up and down the street, searching for a place they could converse in private and not be gawked at. He spotted the alley beside the hotel, hoping no workers were out there now.