Married By Midnight(48)

Dr. Thomas cleared his throat and kept his eyes fixed on Garrett’s. “I believe I can. How much did your mother tell you?”

“Everything.”

Giant snowflakes began to fall outside the window. Garrett watched them for a moment.

Again, nothing felt quite the same as it had a few short days ago.

Dr. Thomas relaxed in his chair. “I wasn’t sure if she would ever tell you the whole truth. Mostly because I thought you might leave again after today, but I am pleased you know the particulars at last. It wasn’t easy for either of us all those years ago.”

“No, I should think not.”

Garrett swallowed over a sudden wave of emotion that rose up within him. All his life he had known he was a bastard. His mother had showered him with love, of course, but not his father—never his father.

He didn’t feel like a bastard now. He liked Dr. Thomas. He liked him very much. There was something about the doctor that made Garrett feel at ease...made him want to embrace the future.

In that moment, sitting in his real father’s office, he felt certain this was all meant to unfold exactly as it was unfolding. He wasn’t sure why yet, but believed it would eventually become clear.

”I am not sure how to proceed,” Dr. Thomas said. “It’s Christmas Eve, and I feel very blessed. I am proud that you are my son, and that you know the truth at last. I hope we can come to know each other better.”

“I would like that,” Garrett replied, “which is why I have come. I wish to extend an invitation to you, sir. Would you attend my wedding to Lady Anne this evening? It would mean a great deal to me.”

The doctor’s eyes filled with warmth and happiness. “I would be honored, Garrett. What time?”

“Five pm,” he replied, “but because Christmas is tomorrow, there is only one more train—at noon. It leaves from Paddington Station, and since I am the groom, I must be on it. Can you finish here in time and accompany me?”

Dr. Thomas stood up. “Absolutely. If you could wait here, I will be ready in half an hour.”

“Excellent.” Garrett stood up as well. “May I take a look at some of your medical books while I wait?”

“By all means,” Dr. Thomas replied as he departed the room. “I will be back soon.”





* * *





They caught the train in plenty of time and spent the two-hour journey talking about Dr. Thomas’s life as a young man and his decision to enter the field of medicine. Then they discussed Garrett’s childhood and his recent years in Greece.

Garrett told him about the boating accident. Dr. Thomas was sympathetic and urged Garrett to remember that he had done everything he could to save the boat and the passengers on board.

“Sometimes, nature is a beast,” he said, “and tragedy is unavoidable. I see a great deal of it in my profession, and I have learned that most of us must face some form of challenge in our lives. But without hardship, we wouldn’t learn and grow.”

Garrett absorbed every word of his father’s advice and reflected carefully about the accident for the remainder of the trip back to Pembroke. He thought about the settlement he would receive for marrying Anne today, and was more determined than ever to share it with Georgina’s family. Nothing could ever replace what they had lost, but it would at least ease Garrett’s conscience to know they would have no financial worries in the future.

By the time the train pulled into the village station, the snow was falling fast and the temperature had dropped. Garrett had previously arranged for the palace coach to be waiting. He and the doctor hurried through the biting wind and snow to reach it at the curb.

The driver was hunched over with his coat collar pulled tight around his chin, his wool scarf wrapped around his face to shield against the storm.

“It’s a fine day for a wedding, my lord!” he said good-naturedly as he tipped his hat at Garrett.

“Quite right, Jameson! How were the roads?”

“They were passable getting here, but we should leave without delay. Wouldn’t want you to be late for your own wedding!”

“Certainly not.” Garrett swung inside, where it was warm and sheltered from the wind.

He took a seat across from Dr. Thomas, who removed his hat and brushed the snowflakes off the brim.

“Are you nervous?” he asked with a teasing smile.

Garrett shook his head. “Not in the least. I cannot imagine marrying a more perfect woman. Odd, really. I’d always imagined one’s wedding day to be a daunting affair, but it’s not daunting at all. It feels right in every way.”

Dr. Thomas regarded him with understanding. “I know that feeling, as I felt it once myself, many years ago.”