Page 7 of Love with a Notorious Rake

“I know nothing of his scandalous past; he’s never spoken of it to me. And you have instructed me not to ask questions of the patients, to ensure their privacy. But I can well speculate, considering the bruises and marks of abuse on his body when he first arrived. Has this to do with that brute of man showing up here this past February? Delaney, wasn’t it? He threatened Aidan, did he not?”

“Again, I cannot reveal anything.”

How infuriating. She’d briefly witnessed the confrontation after Aidan’s Uncle Garrett had burst into the room. Delaney stood behind Aidan, holding him tight, brandishing a knife. It had been frightening to observe. But then Delaney had yelled at Cristyn and her father to leave, and she didn’t witness what happened next, nor hear anything of the conversation. “You think he will slide into his old lifestyle, don’t you?” What did he know about Aidan to make him believe that? How horrid was this “desolate past?”

“Cristyn, not all discharged patients meet with complete success in their recovery. Will Aidan Black? I can only hope. But due to his wealth and selfish ways, he will be exposed to more temptation than most. He could slide into his old habits.”

“You don’t like him,” she accused.

“It’s not my job to like or dislike my patients.” He paused, took her hand, and squeezed it, his expression concerned. “I don’t want that kind of life for you, never knowing if he will wander off the path of sober living. The uncertainty of it. I’ve revealed too much. It hardly matters, as he will be leaving shortly.”

Cristyn was rather shocked by her father’s blunt opinion. “Well, regarding his selfishness, he does come from a privileged background, correct?”

Her father gave a brisk nod in reply.

“Surely this is not the essence of the man. I believe Aidan feels things deeply, but keeps his emotions hidden. I believe he is on the right path, and merely needs—”

“A caring and compassionate woman to bring him out of his shell? To guide his way?” He released her hand and sat back in his chair. “Along with the reasons I’ve already stated, he’s not of your class; he’s far above us in station. It would not work.”

Frustrated, Cristyn frowned. “I don’t agree. But as you say, it hardly matters. Aidan has already informed me that once he departs, we will not see each other again.”

Blast her father for looking relieved. “It’s for the best.”

She stood. Simmering anger caused her to clench her fists. She knew she should leave before saying something she would regret. “I will go and attend to Mr. Holmes.”

“I am sorry you’re upset. As difficult as it is, you cannot allow emotions to enter into caring for a patient. Empathy of course, but nothing else.” He blew out an exasperated breath. “I’m proud of you, Cristyn. Never forget that. You have accomplished much these past years. I love you, and I don’t want to see you hurt in any way.” He gave her an affectionate smile.

Biting her lower lip, she nodded, too overwhelmed to reply. As she exited her father’s office, her heart contracted in pain, as if it had suffered a permanent fissure.

What did she want from Aidan Black? For him to admit they had formed a bond. That the bond went beyond intense physical attraction. That it was passionate, if the brief burst of desire at the oak tree was any indication. She wanted him to accept they had much in common, were already good friends, had shared a certain…intimacy with regard to his recuperation.

Far above us in station? How far above? Should she confront Aidan and demand that he own up to his feelings and reveal his past? He had purposely avoided any topic concerning his life. She knew nothing, other than he was rich and resided somewhere in Kent.

No. She had some pride. Tonight at dinner she would act the polite hostess. And when he departed, she would think on him no more.

* * * *

Mrs. Williams brought in plates of food and laid them in front of Cristyn, her father, and Aidan. The woman had been hired recently, and besides doing the cooking and cleaning in their small cottage, she did the same at the sanatorium.

“The meal looks wonderful, Mrs. Williams, as always.” Her father smiled.

The widow flushed, smoothing her apron. “Thank you, Doctor. If you need anything else, call out.” She departed. The room was rife with undercurrents—not only between Cristyn and Aidan, but the housekeeper and her father as well. Was something developing there? Cristyn wouldn’t mind; he’d been alone for years. Everyone deserved a degree of happiness.

Cristyn glanced at Aidan, who was staring at his food with disinterest. Though he may not have believed it, he deserved happiness as well. What she would give to see the sadness gone from his beautiful azure eyes. It had been her experience at the clinic that, on the whole, most people did not succumb to addiction unless there was underlying melancholy—she had seen it in him.

He wore a crisp white shirt, matching neckcloth, and a gray and black waistcoat, looking entirely too handsome for his own good. And for my own good.

Picking up his utensils, Aidan cut into the meat, making small, bite-sized pieces. He appeared to be in no particular hurry to consume his meal. “I wish to thank you both for your humane and empathetic treatment during my incarceration.”

Her father chuckled. “How amusing, though it’s true your sentence is nearing its end. You can be proud of your achievements.”

Aidan scoffed. “I was not a brave soldier, injured on the field of battle, drowning in such pain and agony that opium was the only choice for relief.”

“You were drowning in pain and agony of another sort,” her father replied between bites.

Aidan’s brows knotted, perhaps in displeasure at the honest assessment. Cristyn was fascinated at his reaction as his mouth twisted into a cynical frown. “Do not make excuses for me, Doctor. I willingly chose the course I traveled. Excess and thrills. Sin and adventure. No other reasons.”

“I beg to differ,” Cristyn interjected. “The soul can be wounded as deeply as any part of the body. I’ve witnessed this firsthand with many patients. Especially with you.”