While Lori and her mother played cat-and-mouse back at Idleworth (with Foster overseeing much of their conspiracy), Wade Lambert found himself travelling across the country with old classmates.

His former friends enjoyed boyish frolicking that comes with undisciplined freedom and there'd been a time in his life where he enjoyed such things. But having gotten used to the calm and level-headed camaraderie of doctor Garin, he found their companionship rather dull.

Freddie Burkes, a rather wide gentleman with a bushel of rusty curls framing his round face, was not at all mentally stimulating. He enjoyed the company of pretty girls and relished the comfort that came with a hefty inheritance. He made a point of this by flaunting his hand-carved walking stick with its atrocious golden bull-headed handle decorated with diamond encrusted horns and buying rounds for the patrons of any inn he visited.

"Nothing quite like treating the lot and receiving their adoration in return, eh, Lambert?"

He grinned at his friend just after tipping a hefty purse of notes to the buxom waitress, who simpered in his direction.

His cousin handled all his affairs and Freddie Burkes only had to sit back and enjoy a monthly cheque to do with as he pleased. Wade found this lifestyle an unattractive one; that a man could do nothing even if he had the leisure to was unthinkable!

Nate Hemshaw had been one of his closest friends and really had changed the least, which, in Wade's eyes, was a blundering shame. He'd always been shy and withdrawn and always too lenient with the other fellows. So much so that when Freddie charmed his fiancée two summers ago, Nate made no comment, scene, or show of being offended, and went about with the oaf as though nothing happened. Wade's respect for Hemshaw plummeted in smoke.

Finally Danny Rhodmayne, the most violent tempered of the three, was a true rogue. He'd simply blown into town one windy afternoon with no history attached. Naturally, the townsfolk gossiped about this rough-looking boy who was mighty tall for his age, but Wade, naturally enthusiastic about new people, found common ground with the boy and brought home all the way from Cairnes where he'd gone to school. His parents were apprehensive about taking the boy in, but eventually conceded. He didn't stick around long and disappeared without a trace, only returning once in a while in his mysterious fashion to greet Wade before carrying out another of his disappearing acts. Wade acknowledged and accepted the young man's behaviour, realising that Danny had never really found his rudder in life.

With these three, Wade bounced around the country, his thoughts always returning to Idleworth. He thought often of his friend, who enjoyed quiet evenings at home and long walks and thoroughly enjoyed calling on his patients. The boisterous ways of Freddie Burkes irritated him sometimes, especially how he bragged to the women at parties with a shamelessness that suited him.

Hemshaw's fond retelling of conversations with his sisters reminded Wade of his own turnip back home who likely was getting into some scrape. Her frequent letters of family life were not helping matters, since he wanted a break from the affairs at Idleworth. However, he had some comfort knowing Garin visited the manor once or twice to take her riding.

This comfort (a short-lived one at that) was blown to bits when Rhodmayne engaged in a brawl at a pub; this ended with someone sporting fractured bones, another a broken nose and resulted in Wade's favourite expensive overcoat being torn at the hem!

On his last day with the trio, he took a walk with Nate Hemshaw after a light drizzle. A smooth, grey bank of clouds hung in the afternoon sky. The lazy town of Ortz welcomed the pair with a whispering breeze and the faint clucking of chickens from distant cottages. The rolling hills and sloping fields were an endless ocean of dull yellows and greens.

Hemshaw took a long, dragging breath.

"You smell that? Freshly ploughed earth, ripe grass and rain. Nothing better than a long walk in the country."

If there was one similarity between Doctor Garin and Nate Hemshaw, it was their appreciation of nature and the outdoors. In appearances, however, the doctor and his old classmate could not be more dissimilar: Nate had a long, wiry frame with a schoolboy's gait, a perfect nose and shaggy hair that fell into his eyes while Garin carried his towering frame with an authoritative grace further complimented by his inquisitive eyes and copious dark locks held fast with a ribbon.

They reached the weather-beaten stone bridge overlooking a murky green lake opening to the channel. Some ducklings squawked as their mother took a casual dip in the water.

"What's biting you, Lambert?"

"What makes you ask me that? Nothing's the matter. The sky is clear, the day is free and so am I."

Hemshaw nodded, still looking out over the lake. He squinted at something in the distance.

"Something's on your mind, and I understand you don't want to talk about it. But it's tickling you mighty deep, that's for sure."

Wade turned to him, annoyed and curious all the same.

"What makes you say that?"

Hemshaw chuckled and looked at the sky.

"Your moodiness is out of character. You're irritable and don't find any of Freddie's jokes funny-also unlike you. You were upset after our fight with those boys at the pub and threw a fit over your torn coat when another version of you would have laughed, bought rounds and shrugged off the coat situation, saying you'd buy a new one. Again, unlike you."

He gave Wade an all too understanding look.

"I'm willing to wager you've gotten yourself into another pit. What's it this time, then? Bad business deal? Debt of some sort? Or is it a woman? Something similar to Betsy Parson or that singer Sofia Salazar?"

Wade smirked.

"She had a voice that Sofia..."

Hemshaw grunted his agreement as they stared across the water.

Rosa Salazar had been a fiery performer with dazzling eyes and a voice that'd drag a man to depths of a glorious hell with grin. Wade had been one of those men, entranced by her alluring smiles and whimsical laughter that he'd almost convinced himself he'd fallen for her. She, however, had made it clear that music was her life and the arts her guiding star and disappeared from his world with her troupe without as much as a goodbye. Part of him was grateful for this dismissal, as his mother might have died of heartbreak if anything cane of his entanglement with a dancer. Even Garin had breathed a sigh of relief when the air cleared of the lady's wily Latin blood.

"Come now, out with it. I'm willing to wager that whatever it is, this time it's started at home."

Many can relate to the annoyance felt when the friend that knows us so well can somehow discern our cares and moods as easily as arriving at the conclusion that the ocean is salty. Wade Lambert was no different, and with a scoff, he returned his gaze to the lake. The duck and her ducklings had already vanished, which, for some inexplicable reason, saddened him.

Hemshaw patted him square on the shoulder.

"You always figured out what to do, Wade. And I doubt this time will be any different. Take a breath and think things through."

The young man turned to go but halted when Wade groaned in a fashion quite unlike himself.

"Dash it all, then! I'm engaged to be married, man. There!"

Nathaniel Hemshaw had never been one to betray his surprise (another commonality between the doctor and himself), and for a time only levelled a look at his old classmate. When Wade's placid expression did not alter, his brows climbed so high they disappeared behind the hair hanging over his forehead. For some minutes, the two stared at each other before Hemshaw let out a quiet yet incredulous, 'Blimey!'

His reaction earned a laugh from Lambert, and Hemshaw caught his hand, giving it several enthusiastic pumps.

"By Jove, you're right in the head?" He then clapped him on the back. "Never thought I'd live to see the day! You married?! By all that breathes, Lambert!"

Once all the congratulatory words passed, Hemshaw shook his shaggy head.

"Why didn't you say anything? We'd have celebrated, and I'd have knocked some propriety into old Freddie in a heartbeat. Straight I would have! Who's the lucky girl? Or shall I say, who were you fortunate enough to charm into marriage? We both know you never cared a sword's hilt for anyone's daughter."

In older times Wade might have swatted him in the ear, but children grow up and he only shook his head instead.

"That remains uncertain."

"What? How can you be getting married and unsure of the bride-to-be?"

There was a pause.

"I suppose it's arranged, then?"

Wade tossed a smooth pebble into the lake, watching the rippling effect.

"It was my mother's idea and I've only agreed because father made me a flattering offer."

Hemshaw whistled on hearing the promised shares, nodded at the doctor's advice and warnings, chuckled at Lori's involvement and shook his head in bewilderment at the women in question. He chortled when Wade finished his description of the races with Alice Flynn.

"Surprises always kept you company, my friend, but I'll admit, I think I'm almost jealous. I don't even understand why I'm surprised by all this. I'll tell you what: I won't breathe a word of this to the fellows and you'd best post me a letter when this business is all settled. Agreed?"

The two shook hands and parted ways with Hemshaw's laughter ringing through the air.

Feeling lighter than he'd been since leaving home, Wade set off to catch the late evening train to Curds where he'd continue by horse to Harwickshire, meanwhile his mother (exhausted with encouraging her daughter to finish her embroidery) anxiously awaited his decision on a bride.

____________________________________________

Dear me, all this running around is exhausting!

(Although, truth be told, I'm thoroughly enjoying the sights! The cows have such sweet eyes! 😍🥰)

Wade had taken a break from the affairs of home life (and had much to say regarding his mother!) Interestingly enough, his sister's bundles of letters were a constant reminder of the decision he'd have to make soon.

Poor boy.

We should be back in Harwickshire at our next meeting, I think.

Until then: VOTE!!⭐🌟⭐