Yesterday's Roses Read online

  Her tirade was interrupted by a short, sharp scream, immediately followed by a longer shriek. The shriek was quickly muffled, leaving both women frozen in their tracks. Being intimately acquainted with the sounds of human suffering, Hallie could tell that the person making those sounds was not only in pain but frightened as well.

  The woman seemed to wilt as she cast a distressed glance toward the staircase, and for the first time Hallie noticed how young she was. Why, if you looked past the sophisticated attire and elaborate hairstyle, she was really nothing more than a jaded schoolgirl—one who could have benefited from a switch to the backside. She couldn’t have been more than eighteen or nineteen, though her demeanor was that of a woman much older.

  Mr. Parrish certainly likes them young, Hallie thought sourly. Fighting back her disgust, she reminded herself that as much as she disliked this girl, there was someone upstairs who sounded badly in need of her help. And as a doctor Hallie had taken an oath never to forsake those who were suffering. She was about to offer her assistance when the girl resumed her assault.

  “Haven’t you people done enough damage to this family?” There was a growing note of desperation in the girl’s voice. “I might have been naive enough to believe the lies about your noble intentions in the past, but I know better now. You go back to Lavinia and tell her that I’ll do anything necessary to protect my brother from her viciousness! Tell her—”

  Another sobbing scream from upstairs crescendoed into a series of louder ones and served to deflate what was left of the girl’s waning confidence. “Just leave,” she choked out.

  She looked on the verge of tears, and against her will Hallie found herself feeling sorry for the girl and seeking to reassure her. “I would be glad to give this Lavinia your message—if I knew her.” She gave a self-deprecating shrug. “But I’ve only been in the city for a little more than a week and have met very few people. I definitely haven’t met anyone named Lavinia. From the sounds of her, I doubt we would have much in common.”

  The girl didn’t look at all reassured by Hallie’s words. As another cry rent the silence and both women jumped in surprise at the crash of glass being forcefully broken, a tear rolled down the girl’s cheek. She rubbed it away with her balled-up fist, a gesture childishly at odds with her adult appearance. Indistinct sounds of an argument seemed to agitate the girl even more, and when the argument was abruptly cut short by the slam of a door, she firmly grasped Hallie’s arm and started to drag her toward the door.

  “Look here, Miss—?” Hallie shook off the girl’s hand impatiently. “You’ve got me at a disadvantage. You have my name, but I haven’t the slightest idea who you are.”

  A harsh grate of laughter forced the women to break the glower they had been exchanging and transfer it toward the tall, dark-haired figure slowly descending the stairs.

  “Always keep your adversary at a disadvantage. Isn’t that right, Penelope?” the man quipped as he came to a stop at the bottom step. He swept Hallie with a quick but all-encompassing look before asking drily, “It seems as if I’m also at a disadvantage. Who are you?”

  “You’ve already decided that I’m your adversary.” Hallie didn’t like the way his silvery-green eyes seemed to bore into her, and she definitely didn’t like his handsome face. A man that good-looking was bound to be selfish, vain, and as past experience had taught her, cruel. If it hadn’t been for his aura of raw masculine power, Hallie would have been inclined to call him beautiful. But she sensed that no one except a fool would dare call him that within earshot. And Dr. Hallie Gardiner was no fool.

  She certainly wasn’t fool enough to have her head turned by that face or, for that matter, by his tall, athletic physique. She’d seen how miserable a man like this could make a woman. Her own mother had been reduced to an unhappy shadow by such a man. Hallie had always believed there was no man on the face of the earth who could match her father’s good looks, but this man was twice as handsome, and that made him twice as dangerous. So perhaps he had been right after all, for that pretty face was enough to make him her adversary.

  It was Penelope who finally answered the man’s question, her tone damning. “She’s from the mission.”

  “Ah. Well, that would explain a lot,” he replied, staring pointedly at Hallie’s drab gown and unkempt hair. “What brings you here, Mission Lady? Undoubtedly Penelope has already given you her opinion of the Bible-thumping brethren of the Mission Society.”

  “I have an appointment with Jake Parrish and unless you’re he, which I doubt, I—”

  “Why would you doubt it?” he interrupted lazily, amusement stealing into his cold eyes.

  “Well, everyone knows that Mr. Parrish is a genius.”

  “A genius, you say?”

  “Yes. And rich.”

  “Of course.”

  Hallie’s mind raced to think of something that would wipe the arrogant smirk off the man’s face. “From what I can surmise, he’s inclined toward a charitable nature. And renowned for his … kindness. So you see, you couldn’t possibly be Mr. Parrish. You obviously possess none of the aforementioned virtues!”

  The last part, about Jake Parrish being kind, was pure fabrication. Hallie had certainly heard no such thing and doubted that it was true, but it had seemed an inspired touch. She stole a glance at the man through her lowered lashes, expecting him to look thoroughly chastised. He was staring back at her, thunderstruck.

  Kind? he thought wryly. She has imagination, I’ll give her that. And rich? Since when is that considered such a virtue? Convenient, yes. But virtuous? He threw back his head and howled with laughter.

  “I don’t see that any of this is funny in the least!” exclaimed Penelope in a querulous voice.

  Ignoring her protest, he pointed out to Hallie, “It seems as if you’re the one at a disadvantage. I am Jake Parrish, and it’s been a long time since anyone has added kindness to my list of virtues. If that’s what those crows at the mission are saying these days, I’m going to have to remind them that lying is a sin.”

  Hallie had the good grace to blush at his words. Oh! Good show! Now you’ve really done it! First you insult the man and then resort to lies. He’ll never help you now. Never in a hundred—no, a MILLION—years! I definitely see a trip back to Philadelphia looming in your near future, Hallie … unless you think of something—and quick!

  But what?

  Ever heard of an apology?

  But one look at his hard face told her that probably nothing short of groveling on her hands and knees would do to pacify him. Damned if she would stoop that low! Oh, Lord! Why couldn’t he have been the pompous little toad she had imagined? Him she could have handled. Without thinking, she murmured, “You’re not quite what I was expecting.”

  “And what were you expecting?”

  “Don’t encourage her, Jake! Dr. Barnes should be here any time now, and we don’t want her around prying into our affairs.” Penelope cast a meaningful glance toward the stairs, and Jake nodded in agreement.

  “Well, Miss—” he began brusquely.

  “Doctor,” she corrected him. “I’m Dr. Hallie Gardiner from the Mission Infirmary. You asked me to be here at four o’clock.”

  “Really?” He pulled out a pocket watch and snapped open the case. A tune that Hallie recognized, but couldn’t quite place, began to play. He raised his eyes to hers. “You’re late.”

  “I know, but the gate was locked.”

  He clicked the case closed again, abruptly cutting off the music. “Why didn’t you just ring the bell?” As he watched the heat rise in her cheeks, it suddenly dawned on him how she’d come by her unkempt appearance. A mocking smile twisted his mouth, and he asked with feigned innocence, “Just how did you get in, if not through the gate?”

  “I found a back way,” she answered truthfully, unable to meet his cynical gaze. She would die before she admitted to climbing his fe
nce.

  “You obviously went to a lot of trouble to see me,” he said with pointed emphasis on the word “trouble.” When she didn’t deny it, he admitted, “To be honest, I had completely forgotten our appointment. I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time and trouble. I can’t see anyone today.”

  “I told you he was indisposed,” Penelope crowed.

  “Really?” Hallie swept him from head to toe with her skeptical gaze. “He looks healthy enough to me.”

  “See, Penelope? You have a doctor’s word on it.” Smiling slyly at Hallie, he added, “I’m glad someone agrees with me on that score. My overbearing little sister insists on treating me like an invalid.”

  The challenging look he threw at Penelope forced her to protest, “Jake! You know what Dr. Barnes says about exciting yourself.”

  “Proves my point that doctors are a pack of charlatans and butchers, doesn’t it!”

  Color infused Hallie’s face as she pointed out, “I’m a doctor, and I am neither a charlatan nor a butcher!”

  He snorted. “No. You’re something worse.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes. You’re a straitlaced little spinster who is so afraid of your own femininity that you’d rather compete with men than admit to your failure as a woman.”

  Her face darkened to an unbecoming shade of crimson in her anger. “And you’re a typical narrow-minded ass of a man if you’re stupid enough to believe that!” she retorted. “Could it be that you’re actually intimidated by a woman who can do more than play the spinet, do needlework, and simper adoringly every time you stoop to grace her with your inane conversation? Why is it that every time a man—”

  Her tirade was cut short by another loud scream, punctuated by several heavy crashes.

  As the wailing continued, a tall, reed-thin black woman scampered down the stairs. Ignoring Hallie’s presence, she blurted out, “She be bad, Mista’ Jake, real bad! I done all I can, but the Missus, well, she ain’t havin’ nothin’ to do with me. Won’t let no one close! The Missus be needin’ a docta’ real soon! I cain’t do no more!”

  “Damn it!” Jake bellowed. “Hop Yung! You get your yellow ass—” He whipped around, only to find Hop Yung right behind him. A muscle worked in his jaw as he skewered the houseboy with his angry glare. “Where the hell is Dr. Barnes? I sent you for him more than an hour ago! So help me, Hop, if you forgot to fetch the doctor—”

  “Hop talk to doctor assistant,” the Chinese man cut in defensively. “He say doctor come r-right way!” At his employer’s quelling expression, the houseboy swallowed hard and sidled toward the door. “Hop go. See what keep doctor.” With that, he sprang out the door, slamming it behind him with a loud bang!

  “Celine? How much time do you think we have?” Jake asked the black woman, distractedly raking his fingers through his hair.

  “Don’ know, Mista Jake. She seems real bad off. Don’ know what else to do.”

  “Excuse me,” Hallie interrupted. All three people jerked around, obviously having forgotten her presence. “Maybe I can help?” When they just stared at her as if she had suddenly mutated into a three-headed monster with cloven hoofs and a forked tail, she proceeded urgently, “There is someone who needs a doctor’s services, and this Dr. Barnes doesn’t seem to be in any kind of a hurry to get here. Perhaps I should have a look at the patient.”

  It was Penelope who finally broke the stunned silence. “Absolutely not! Dr. Barnes will be here any time. We know and trust him!”

  “Are you so sure he’s coming? God knows, I’ve been in enough situations where I couldn’t leave a patient, not even if President Johnson himself had demanded my services.”

  Jake ran his thumb across his jaw and studied her thoughtfully for a moment. “Are you a good doctor?”

  She answered without the slightest hesitation, “Very good.” And the words rang true.

  “You’ve got conviction, I’ll grant you that. I’m almost inclined to believe you.”

  “Jake!” Penelope shrieked, trying to be heard above the raucous cries, which had resumed with a vengeance. “You’re not actually considering engaging this woman, are you? I’m not at all convinced that she’s not a fraud.”

  Fraud. Charlatan. Butcher. That did it! Hallie had had enough, thank you kindly. She’d been gracious enough to offer her services, and they’d been insulting in their refusal.

  “Fine!” she snapped. “Then I don’t see any point in continuing this interview. I’ll be returning to the mission now, and leaving you to the tender mercies of this Dr. Barnes—if he shows.”

  As she turned to leave, Jake Parrish’s hand shot out and grasped her arm in a bruising grip. When he turned her to face him, Hallie could have sworn that she read a fleeting anguish in his expression. Visibly wincing at the sound of another heartrending wail, he nodded.

  Penelope’s face distorted into a study of horror as she realized her brother’s intent. “Jake, if you engage this woman and something goes wrong, well, don’t say I didn’t warn you!” Lifting her skirts, she ran up the stairs, her shoulders shaking with soundless sobs.

  Jake’s eyes narrowed as he met Hallie’s indignant glare. “You say you’re a good doctor and you want to help?” His punishing grasp tightened on her arm. “Then pray for strength, Dr. Gardiner. You’re hired!”

  Chapter 2

  “Fine.” Hallie nodded at Jake Parrish, picking up the gauntlet he’d defiantly thrown. “Of course, I’ll require the use of both my arms in order to provide my best services. That is, if you haven’t permanently impaired my circulation.”

  Jake glanced down, genuinely startled by her remark. He was clutching her arm so tightly that the veins in his hand were standing out in tense relief. Murmuring an apology, he loosened his grip and deftly eased his hand into a gentle, massaging motion.

  A burning tingle raced down Hallie’s arm as her blood resumed its flow. Surprised at the tenderness of his ministrations, she quickly glanced up from his long-fingered hand to his face. As their eyes met, she could have sworn that he looked … kind.

  Confusion and hallucinations are common symptoms of a head injury, she told herself, suddenly wondering if she’d suffered a worse fall from the gate than she had previously thought. After all, as Mr. Parrish had already pointed out, he wasn’t kind.

  “Doc?”

  Hallie jumped at the sound of his voice.

  “Your arm? I take it you’ve suffered no permanent damage?”

  “Uh? Oh … no.”

  He smirked at her confusion in a manner that made Hallie long to kick him. Arrogant beast! She would have thoroughly enjoyed watching His Supreme Smugness’s face dissolve into a mask of pain and outrage as he howled at the indignity of it all.

  “The patient?” he prompted with mock helpfulness.

  “Of course.” She gave the arm he was massaging an impatient tug. “Will you please stop prodding at my arm in that annoying fashion? Must I remind you that I’m hardly a delicate young miss and am not likely to fall into a fit of vapors at a little rough handling?”

  “Yes to your first question.” Jake abruptly dropped her arm. “And no to your second.”

  To Hallie’s mortification, he leaned forward to examine her face critically, making it clear that he was searching for signs of her impending fossilization. As if in confirmation of some insulting conclusion, he nodded and actually had the nerve to chuckle.

  Uppity bastard! Hallie’s foot began to twitch. I know exactly where I’d like to kick him.

  Arching his brows in feigned astonishment, his voice dripping with sarcasm, Jake said, “Let’s see now … one … two. I count two arms and both in your possession. Are you ready to begin your duties?” His handsome face became the picture of solicitude. “Of course, I realize that you’re no longer a young miss and your circulation might not be what it once was. If you need more time—”

&nb
sp; “I’m fine,” she snapped. The gall of the man, alluding to her age. Good Lord! She was only twenty-six years old, hardly ready for a shawl and cane. With an indignant sniff, she said, “If you’re finished wasting my time with your pleasantries, I’d like to do the job you’ve hired me for.”

  His only response was another of his superior snorts. As he turned on his heel, he nodded over his shoulder, apparently expecting her to follow.

  The man must be suffering from a nasal condition, she thought spitefully. And hadn’t Penelope snorted in much the same manner? Must be a family defect. Well, she had just the treatment for their condition. One that involved a big, sharp hook.

  So caught up was Hallie in her delightful pictures of treating Mr. High and Mighty’s nose to the agonies of the hook that she was completely robbed of her breath, more from surprise than impact, when she slammed into something solid. An explosive curse told her that the “something solid” was Jake Parrish’s back.

  Instinctively she grabbed at him for support but soon realized her mistake. He, too, appeared to be fighting for his balance. For one dreadful instant, Hallie was certain they were about to go tumbling down the stairs to land in an ignominious pile in the foyer below.

  To her eternal relief, Mr. Parrish quickly mastered the situation. Crushing Hallie against his side with one steely arm, he grabbed the oak banister and managed to haul them both to a more stable perch. As Hallie went hurling into his hard chest, she heard something clatter down the stairs.

  They stood frozen in that position, Hallie clutched against the strength of his tall form, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist, both fighting to catch their breath. The impropriety of their closeness was forgotten in favor of mutual relief, but only for a moment.

  All too quickly, Hallie became all too aware of the muscles rippling beneath the fine linen of his shirt. There was something about the way his powerful torso pressed against her soft curves that made it impossible for her to breathe. Pointedly ignoring the spicy, masculine scent that clung to his waistcoat, Hallie turned her face from where it had been buried against his wide shoulder, suddenly overwhelmed by his disconcerting proximity.