...dance in the rain?” “Why not?” She pushed away and began twirling again. “It’s fun. We need some fun in our lives, don’t we?”
Father’s eyes sparked, and his face became dangerously calm. “Careful.” As if his threats ever deterred her. “Or what? You’ll block me from becoming a physician? It seems you’ve already decided on that.” She planted her palms on his desk, leaning forward with a sneer. “You can’t cow me the way you do your clients. Unlike them, I see you for who you are. A calculating, manipulative man who cares nothing for others, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.” She straightened, burning rage pulsing through her. “You won’t win. I’ll find a way to fulfill my dream. Count on it.” Pushing back his chair, her father rose slowly, gaze locked on hers. “I’ve had enough of your rebellion. You had your time in medical school. That part of your life is now over. No doctor in Boston will take you on. I’ve made sure of that.” A surge of heat exploded in Tori’s stomach. She slammed a hand on his desk. “How dare you!” “I dare more.” Father’s lips curved in a cruel smile. “As of now, you’re cut off from family funds...
Harrison’s gaze went back to the church doors. The organ swelled into the wedding march made popular by England’s Queen Victoria when her granddaughter married a few decades ago. His lips twisted with the irony. How appropriate as he prepared to marry his own Victoria. She’d probably spear him with words if he dared call her his to her face. Smothering a smile, he waited for his bride to appear. Then she did, on her father’s arm, and Harrison lost the ability to breathe properly.
Tori stuffed the questions down. She had a job to do, as did he. Ever since Mr. Tolson spread word that she’d fixed him up right—and that the rumors about her were wrong—people seemed more inclined to trust her. She’d only heard a couple protests about her gender over the last week. Things were finally looking up. Now if she could just sleep through the night. Thunder boomed in the distance, making her jump. She stared out the apartment window and watched rain pour down in sheets. It looked cool and refreshing. The early-August heat vanished with the storm. An impulse seized her. Tori bit her lip. The longer she watched the rain, the more she wanted to be in it, let it wash away her cares and worries. Why not? She crept down the stairs to the infirmary. Harrison sat at their desk, working on a list of necessary supplies. She slipped out the back door without alerting him to her presence. Rain pounded her skin, soaking her hair and clothes in a matter of seconds. She laughed, spreading her arms wide and twirling in the cool torrent of water. When she stopped, she closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sky, letting rain pour in rivulets down her cheeks.
~~~~~~
It was the time when high society and white men ruled homes, businesses, and even their families like an owner of slaves was known to do... Victoria, as our main character, had already seen her older sister escape from their home and had moved west, out of easy reach of her parents. But Victoria, a redhead that had obtained the fiery nature of her ancestors had watched as her sister left. But her goals were more lofty then just escape... She wanted to become a doctor. A woman who knew she would be alone in the professional field of doctors which was, of course, all white men who had become doctors as an accepted field for sons of high society rich families who were those who felt they were superior in their lives, especially about keeping women in their place...
Perhaps this is a tired, older than history story who we've known about forever it seems. But, Lauralyn Keller zapped the history lesson when she created her characters of the new generation living or moving into higher society... And some of them watched what was happening, and decided that was not what was wanted to have happen in their lives!
Victoria was quick to move from the name of a Queen, to go by Tori, at least to her friends... She of course, would have had the aggravation of men also studying medicine creating the atmosphere most women have experienced working in an environment where men and women work together. No matter what period in history, that type of man will be there...
And, of course, the "unique" method by which marriages were made in High Society continued... As soon as Victoria was a graduate--and got that out of her system--she was inundated with her parents working to match her to another rich family who would, of course, merge businesses in order to become richer and richer... Well, of course, an also normal event happened, one of the "suitors" was assured that he would be in the top running for her hand, and since she was a beautiful woman, he naturally was willing... Not to wait... Of course, sharing what had happened was kept to herself, but she vowed that she would never marry such a man!
But at the same time, her father had also made it clear to all doctors in the rich part of town that they would NOT allow her to take the required residency in any of their offices! Or else face her father's wrath...
Funny to learn that, like today, we are fully aware that not all men dream of power and money... And Victoria had found a small clinic where she met a doctor who was happy to have her assistance. They had worked together for quite some time. Enough for Harrison to realize just how skilled Victoria was in presenting her medical knowledge to help his patients... They had become somewhat friendly as co-workers are prone to do, while they realized that a professional environment had been established and expected at all times...
And then something happened in both of the lives of Harrison, the lead doctor in the clinic... and Victoria, the doctor who was helping him with no salary... Harrison had learned of a major inheritance from an aunt which would allow him to fulfill his dream of building a hospital out west where it was most needed.... Victoria's father had given her a deadline--get married or get out with no financial support...
Of course, Victoria's situation was the most dire... And so one day, she proposed a business proposal to Harrison. She would become his wife... If he agreed to settle in Harmony Springs, where her sister and family had settled...
~~~~~~
BTW, I'm sorry that I couldn't find suitable music selections from the 1800s, but it's the sentiment that I wanted to share for this delightful family drama... As you might realize, Tori had grown so withdrawn that she didn't really trust anybody, including Harrison. After all, she had only known him as a co-worker. What would he be like as a husband? Would he think he owned her like her father and suitors had portrayed throughout her life? Especially, when her mother seemed to not have any love for her own daughters... What was this strange thing called being "husband and wife?"
I so enjoyed the time spent in Harmony Springs. Tori was now near her sister. She felt more secure; she would continue to address her marriage as a business arrangement--a marriage of convenience...
Until Harrison realized that he cared enough and decided to court his wife, after getting suggestions from the man who had won Tori's sister's hand in a loving marriage... In fact, her sister also initiated some girl talk with her younger sister about just how wonderful it could be...
So they slowly began getting to know each other--in separate bedrooms...
It was Tori who once again was challenged by the men who refused to have a female doctor help them... While at the same time, the women who were bearing children, it seemed, as a routine event, said they would feel more comfortable with a woman to help them through those months, often of severe pain during those early years...
I was impressed also with how Keller chose to bring faith into the book. At that time, of course, it was assumed that everybody believed in God. Religion was merely a constant part of one's life... No questions or concerns of confusion. Each individual, when appropriately involved, merely started talking to God about a given situation... One of which was a major disaster in Harrison's life... When the criminals learned that there was large sums of money in the local bank... And even some of those men were following a greedy leader who happened to be an older brother...
Scary scenes of child birth in those early years, confusion and fear in agreeing to marry another individual with whom no personal relationship existed... and more to keep your attention... But, the most excitingly sweet and funny parts were when a man and a woman were courting each other, after they'd legally married the other 'til death do they part... Romance lovers? Enjoy! History buffs of American history-made for you... Family small-time drama with wonderful characters... You'll find it all in Lauralyn Keller's The Doctor's Convenient Marriage! And sit back and enjoy...
GABixlerReviews
Such sharp turns of circumstances in a short time had Harrison’s feet rooted to the ground. The mix of emotions he’d experienced in the last week were more than he’d felt over his entire life. From utter fear to despair to hope…and now joy.
“I don’t know if I want to offer forgiveness,” she muttered. “They don’t deserve it.” “Mercy is undeserved grace.” “You sound like a preacher.”
“I take things one day at a time. That’s all we can do. Each day, I give the children what I can. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like enough. But I love them with all my heart. I do my best and leave the rest in God’s hands.”
Copyright use under owner permission: Exceptions will be made for brief quotations used in critical reviews or articles promoting this work.
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