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The operating theatre smelled strongly of carbolic acid and the metallic scent of blood. It might have seemed macabre, or entirely unladylike, to anyone else, but Belle Fox loved that smell. Whenever she caught it, she knew that her talent for medicine was needed.
But on this sunny morning, things were different.
Although the day had begun much like any other weekend, her mother, Lady Jane, was once again thoroughly displeased that her eldest daughter would rather spend a perfectly peaceful day at the hospital. Belle, as usual, refused to be deterred and made her way to the hospital despite her mother’s concerned objections.
It was a great disappointment, however, when Belle discovered that nobody needed her help at all. For three hours, absolutely nothing had happened, and even the overworked Dr. Sneed finally told her that he would be quite happy to send her home for the day.
So Belle stood in front of the medicine cabinet, rearranging the bottles while secretly hoping that someone would give her a task—anything to keep her from having to return home.
“What a nuisance. Which idiot has mixed up the bottles?” she muttered into the empty room, not expecting an answer.
“If you’re talking about an idiot, you must mean Fagin.”
Belle startled slightly as two arms slipped around her waist. Within seconds, however, she recognised him. She would know that voice—and those hands that had touched her so many times—anywhere.
Jack Dawkins.
“Where have you been? Was there a patient I didn’t know about?”
He kissed her cheek tenderly, his arms still wrapped around her waist from behind.
“No. I had a disagreement with Sneed about the usual subject. I simply think he isn’t doing himself any good by working so much and ought to take some time off. In the end, it changed nothing. But how are you, darling?”
He leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to her neck. Belle immediately giggled.
“I’m quite well. It’s simply so quiet today. Not that I’m complaining that there are no injured people, but I had hoped to try out some new methods of treatment.”
“Sorry, darling.”
A mischievous light appeared in his eyes, followed by his familiar grin.
“Well, I have to go to the market for Hetty anyway. You could help me, Mylady.”
Belle blinked at him, a flicker of anticipation appearing in her bright eyes.
“Do you think we can? It would be lovely. We haven’t done anything together in ages.”
Although Jack and Belle had received her mother’s blessing, Lady Jane still refused to allow Belle’s reputation to fall into disrepute. According to her conditions, Jack had to formally court Belle, and there were to be no more secret meetings.
That did very little to stop Jack from climbing through Belle’s balcony door at night, however, where the two of them could enjoy several private hours together.
Lady Jane had also made it clear that Jack was no longer to involve himself in criminal affairs. Considering his fondness for adventure, this was considerably more difficult for him than he cared to admit. But there was nothing Jack would not do for his lady.
“No, I don’t think she’ll mind. It’s hospital business, after all, and your mother doesn’t necessarily have to know. Besides, I miss you terribly, and we ought to take advantage of the opportunity. So, Mylady, what do you say?”
Jack looked at her hopefully.
Belle turned towards him and gently placed her hand against his cheek. She considered it for a moment, biting her lip—a sight Jack adored.
She looked into his eyes, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and nodded decisively.
Jack’s grin widened.
“Then follow me, Mylady.”
With that, he took her hand and pulled her along with him, laughing.
The market was crowded, filled with the smells of fresh bread, fish, herbs, and spices. Belle’s arm was properly linked through Jack’s, as etiquette demanded of a lady walking with a gentleman.
Whenever they encountered people of their own social standing, Jack behaved like the perfect gentleman.
If only they knew what unladylike things Jack and Belle did behind closed doors at night.
And yet, despite everything, it hurt Belle to see him pretend.
Ever since he had begun formally courting her, Jack had become increasingly convinced that he was not enough for her. Belle knew it, and it irritated her terribly. How could this brilliant idiot possibly believe that he was not enough?
He was everything to her.
Jack Dawkins was, and would always be, the only man she could ever love.
She loved him so fiercely that sometimes it felt as though her heart were being torn apart in the most beautiful way, only to be pieced together again whenever he looked at her.
Jack stared at her intently.
He did that often.
More often than not, he seemed unable to understand how he had been fortunate enough to be loved by such a remarkable woman.
“Ah. Here it is.”
They had stopped in front of a stall covered with herbs, medicinal powders, and small pots of salves. The elderly woman behind the stall was Mrs. Welben. She had known Jack for as long as he had been practising medicine and always seemed delighted whenever she saw that he had managed to avoid the gallows for yet another day.
“Well, Jack. How are you today? Clearly, you’ve escaped the gallows again. What a blessing!”
Her affectionate and amused gaze then fell upon Belle.
She stood beside Jack, their hands intertwined. He gently ran his rough fingers—the fingers hardened by countless hours of surgery—over the back of her hand.
Such a small gesture was something they could only allow themselves on this poorer side of the market.
Jack knew that, beneath all her confidence and independence, Belle still felt somewhat uncertain among his friends. Many of them believed she was nothing more than a pretty skirt and a princess who loved Jack simply because it allowed her to break the rules.
That was precisely why Belle tried never to draw attention to herself. Everything she did could be used against her.
“Well, Jackie, who’s this fine young lady you’ve brought me?”
Belle immediately began to laugh at the nickname, while Jack gave the woman an irritated look.
“Don’t call me that. And to answer your question, this is Lady Belle Fox.”
Belle was pulled back into reality by the introduction.
“Good morning. I’m Lady Belle, and I’m a medical student under Dr. Sneed.”
Mrs. Welben looked slightly embarrassed. Jack could only assume that she regretted mentioning the gallows in front of the Governor’s daughter.
“Oh… Mylady. How may I be of service?”
After they had finished collecting the supplies for the hospital, Belle and Jack sat together by the harbour, just like any other young couple in love.
They talked about everything and nothing.
Belle told him about the latest articles she had read in The Lancet, while Jack told her about everything that had happened over the past few days.
They ate pastries they had bought at the market, enjoying the rare freedom of simply sitting beside one another.
“Mmm, Jack. You were right. This is delicious,” Belle murmured after taking another bite.
“I know. But…” His grin returned. “Do you know what’s even more delicious? Because I happen to know a certain lady…”
“Jack Dawkins!”
Belle swatted him affectionately on the arm, her cheeks turning pink.
She really ought to have grown accustomed to such remarks by now. He made them constantly. Yet somehow, every single time, he managed to embarrass her all over again.
And she secretly hoped he never stopped.
“What? It’s true. You told me recently that I shouldn’t lie anymore.”
He gave her a feather-light kiss.
But before he could pull away, Belle caught him by the collar and kissed him properly.
Jack’s eyes widened for half a second in surprise, but he immediately melted into the kiss.
When they finally parted for a breath, Belle whispered against his lips,
“I love you, you brilliant idiot.”
He laughed softly.
“I love you, Belle Fox. Ten times more than you could ever love me.”
“I highly doubt that.”
And together they watched the sun sink over the harbour, wrapped closely in each other’s arms, unaware of the dangers the future still held for them.