The Lady Who Lived Again by Thomasine Rappold Read Free Book Online Page A

spurn the rare opportunity she presented; she was sure of it. She made a final adjustment to her hat, standing taller. If professional considerations were not enough to sway him, she’d dispatch every flirtatious weapon in her rusty arsenal to win him over. He might be an egotistical doctor, but he was still a man.
    Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the doctor’s residence. She glanced up toward the sound of hammering above. Henry Whalen, town handyman and former friend, frowned down at her from the rooftop as he pounded away. Apparently, Jace had enlisted Henry’s service in repairing his roof.
    Shrugging off Henry’s snub, Maddie stared at the house to which she’d sworn never to return. The peeling white shutters and neglected flower boxes had the same forlorn look as they had on her last visit, an ominous reminder of the nightmare she’d endured inside these walls. The blinding pain in her leg. The endless interrogation. The stunned faces staring down at her. Do you remember your name? Do you know where you are?
    Butterflies took flight in her stomach. Closing her eyes to steady her nerves, she charged up to the porch. She blew out a breath and knocked on the door.
    Jace answered wearing a wrinkled shirt and a look of surprise. His disheveled appearance and the open book lodged under his arm made it evident she’d interrupted his work. Here stood a man who spent his time wisely. Convincing him to squander it in service of petty lies would be no easy feat.
    “Good morning, Jace.” She enhanced the chipper greeting with a beaming smile.
    His wary expression told her she’d have to tone it down.
    “Madeline.” He stepped aside as she swept past him into the house.
    She scanned the desk tucked in the windowless alcove to the left. A lamp glowed over piles of papers and books. His coat hung from the chair he’d abandoned to answer the door.
    “I don’t mean to intrude…” She murmured some pleasantries regarding the weather, that it was a fine day for walking. The empty chitchat she’d perfected over the years rolled easily from her tongue. “Grandfather and I were just discussing how pleased we are that you moved to Misty Lake. This town can use a doctor with your experience.”
    She sashayed to the front room in dramatic style. Maintaining a semblance of grace proved difficult in the room’s alarming disarray. Meandering through the clutter, she edged past gaping trunks and crates, skirts swishing.
    “You’re looking well.” He dropped the book to a chair as a sly smile crept onto his face.
    “Why, thank you.” Puffing her chest, she whirled toward him, assuming a pose that would heighten his view. “I feel wonderfully fit.” He regarded her quizzically, as though she’d said something odd. Relaying the state of one’s health to a doctor seemed appropriate. The sudden glint in his eyes seemed anything but.
    His gaze trailed up and down the length of her, but this was no clinical inspection. Awareness shivered down her spine. His blue eyes caressed her body like a physical touch, leaving gooseflesh in its wake. He moved closer. An air of urgency engulfed her. She’d poked a sleeping bear, faced him in the danger of his own den, and yet she stood unafraid. Quite the opposite, actually.
    “New hat?” he asked.
    Her confidence soared. She smiled, genuinely pleased by his notice. She gave a few dainty taps to the brim.
    “This old thing?”
    Grinning, he reached toward her.
    The heat of his nearness pulsed through her veins. Breath hitched in her throat.
    With a sharp tug, he tore off the price tag.
    Maddie cringed. Lowering her eyes, she directed a silent curse to Mrs. March and her intentional oversight. She glanced up at Jace. Despite the sinking feeling, he could see straight through her, she muddled on.
    “As I was saying, Grandfather and I are certain your practice here will be very successful.”
    “Why don’t you stop fluffing my feathers, and tell me why you’re