Stonehenge in a nutshell.
As always, I hear the townsfolk on the fringes. “Sapphireearbobs? Why would Lenore waste them on her?”… “Thank goodness for the glasses!Terrifying without them, you know… ” Others are discussing Kelly. “Devilishhandsome and a doctor, too. Rumor has it he’s single.”
How foolish of me to think I could do this. More foolish yetfor them to think at all.
Kelly reads aloud from the menu and describes the variety ofteas available to us. I barely pay attention as I listen to a group ofdebutantes at another table plotting to ensnare him. Still oblivious to themanaging females, he makes suggestions from the trays of sandwiches and cakes,and I lift my hand when something sounds good, like a culinary auction.
Though I don’t select many items. No scones, as it turns out.They’re too crumbly. My entire side of the table would be a mess. Instead, Ichoose sandwiches—cucumber with dill—fruit and cheese, and my usual Earl Grey.My face feels hot as I eat in public. Do I look ridiculous? Is there somethingstuck in my teeth? I can’t imagine ever wishing for the Cornishwoman’scompanionship, but wouldn’t ghost-sight come in handy now?
I take small bites and chew slowly as Kelly tells funny storiesabout his daughter Alice. He’s good company, and I begin to relax. Due to thelate night meetings with Tom, I haven’t spent much time practicing my tablemanners. Still, the sandwiches are dainty, crustless squares and not too difficultto consume. When a bit of cucumber drops onto my lap, I brush it off, hopingKelly doesn’t notice. I’ve just finished a slice of pear and hard Chesirecheese when Kelly offers me a petit four. The doctor shoves the littlepastry into my mouth before I can decline.
“Bit of chocolate on your chin,” he says, laughing. “Under yourbottom lip.”
Horrid man! The whole room must have seen.
My napkin is just large enough to hide behind as I wipe themelted frosting away.
“There’s that expressive face,” he says, once I’ve cleaned up.“I’m getting quite used to it.”
Kelly leans closer and sighs. His breath smells of herbs andhoney. “We’ll have to do this again, Hester.”
No, we will not. The townspeople are agog as it is.
“I want you to say to yourself, ‘Noah, I’ve had a wonderfultime. We must sup together anon.’ That exact wording, mind you.”
Apparently, the people around us are so caught up in thisexchange that they’ve stopped gossiping. The room is quiet except for theclatter of silverware on china. I imagine what they see, and entertain theimage of the doctor and I together at our table by the window, heads nearlytouching. This might seem like a romantic engagement to those who don’t know better.
“Say, ‘Noah, you are a prince among men. High tea will never bethe same without you.’”
Oh, for the love of heaven…
He takes something out of his jacket pocket. A rabbit, maybe? Ihear a shuffling sound and feel a packet of paper sliding between my fingers.He turns my hand and kisses my knuckles before I pull away.
“You’re welcome.”
A resounding gasp echoes across the tearoom, as though someonehas inhaled with shock after witnessing such forward behavior between the newdoctor and the town deficient. The man coughs several times and several moreafter that.
My escort’s tone is so smug that I am naturally curious to knowwhat it is I’m holding, what he thinks requires my gratitude. I examine hisgift. Stiff cards with cutouts in the middle.
“Stencils,” Kelly announces proudly. “I had them made up at thestationers.”
Ah, of course. Stencils. How lovely. Never heard of the blastedthings.
But I pretend to know all about them for the doctor’s sake andnod wisely as he explains. It’s impossible to concentrate, however. The man onthe other side of the room has increased the volume of his cough. Actually,it’s become more of a distressed gurgle. A waiter is hurrying this way,straight toward Kelly.
“You’ll learn your alphabet and eventually write—” the doctorstops speaking a moment before the waiter arrives and rises to his feet. “Holdon, that fellow’s choking.”
Kelly and the waiter rush the man out of the lobby, presumablyto avoid distressing the other diners, and knock someone over in the process.Amid this confusion, I realize that I am in trouble. Big trouble. Well over sixfeet of angry Scottish trouble. O di immortales! I want to cross myselfeven though I’m not Catholic.
Are you coming out, love? Or shall I come in?
Let’s talk later. When you’ve had a chance to get yourtemper in hand.
That may take years, Hettie. Go out the side door behindyour chair. There’s an alley on the right.
Standing slowly, I hug my cane for moral support. It’s notas it appears, Tom.
I know what I saw through the window.
You won’t understand.
Try me.
Following Tom’s directions, I leave through the side door, butcowardice wins over valor. I swivel back toward the hotel before a hand grabsmy arm and yanks me into the alley. Tom removes my spectacles before I can stophim.
Explain.
He knows how I hate having my glasses taken away and hisblatant disregard of my wishes makes me seethe. I put my hands on my hips andthrust out my chin. There’s nothing to tell! Dr. Kelly asked me to tea, as afriend, and I accepted. Is that a crime?
Tom crowds me a little. Just for the record, which part wasthe most enjoyable, love? His feeding you the pastry or the knuckle kiss?
Kelly just likes to be outrageous sometimes. That’s all.
Oh please. He was looking for an excuse to touch you. And Ididn’t see any objection on your part.
This sparks my temper to new heights. I shove Tom’s chest withmy palms, but he doesn’t budge. Marry me then. I’m sick of waiting.
All right, let’s wed. We’ll elope.
Having asked Tom to run away with me every year since I waseleven, I am filled with joy at this prospect, until I
