True, Arthur did not have any children yet, but if his conversations with Malachi meant anything, it would not be a lie to say he was expecting.  Truer still was the fact that he was looking forward to it, despite his nervousness.

As much as he hated Levi, wanted to disagree with everything he said, he hoped being something close to a father would be as life changing as he implied.

The doctor set down his glass to say as much when Mara interrupted with her own question.  Arthur blinked at her, surprised by her boldness, but did not back down from her.

"My nose, you mean?  I hope you'll excuse the injury - I try to help the mentally disturbed as often as I do the physically ill, and no good deed is without its consequences.  This in particular was from a spat with a man on the beaches of Whitby.  And trust me, it's looking better now than it did at the beginning of the week."

A nosy little woman, Mara was.  Weren't wealthy people supposed to be quietly curious?  Passive in their aggression?  If that was the case, Mara had missed the memo.

"As for children... I'm not yet married, so I don't yet have the honor of being a father or husband.  But in time, I hope."