“There was clearly some contamination of your wound that brought on a fever,” Doctor Jackton said, patiently, standing before Horatio with hands clasped in front of him. “It is the feverthat has so weakened you, not the wound. Such a fever can have lifelong consequences.”
“I have never known anything like it,” Horatio grated.
“The medicine I have prescribed will continue to combat the effects of the fever on your body. It will build your strength slowly, but over time.”
“It makes me sick to my stomach and leaves me weak as a kitten!” Horatio roared.
“Temporaryconsequences, I can assure you. I have actually been reducing the dosage. But you must be patient.”
Horatio wanted to strike him down.
The man was infuriating, alwayspatient.Always seeming to be on the verge of a smile, making Horatio feel that he was being mocked.
This was not the physician that Horatio would ordinarily call upon. That man had been indisposed. The servant sent by Hall to fetch him had returned empty-handed. Another physician had then been recommended from Harley Street.
Jackton had efficiently dealt with the wound in Horatio's side and had nursed him through three days of furious fever. Hall had told Horatio that the man's credentials were excellent and his skills evident. Horatio trusted Hall's judgment in suchmatters. Hall had assisted the sawbones aboard ship during his time in the Navy.
Horatio frowned.
It suddenly seemed a long time since he had spoken to Hall.
He looked to the nearest bellpull, thinking to summon his old friend. But it was beside the bed and Horatio's knees qualified at the prospect of crossing the room.
“Kindly summon my butler, would you?” Horatio scowled, resting his head against the windowpane and shutting his eyes.
“At once, Your Grace. While you are waiting, I have your next dose prepared.”
He turned to a side table and produced a brown, glass vial which he handed to Horatio, waiting silently for Horatio to drink it. Horatio held the vial up to the light. There was no doubt that it gave him a feeling of strength and vigor effective almost immediately.
After taking this dose, he had no doubt he would be able to walk by himself to the Red Study, catch up with his correspondence, and write to Juliet.Again.
Without it, the weakness would overwhelm him and there would be pain in his stomach and muscles eventually.
Unstoppering the bottle, he upended it over his mouth until the final few drops were gone. Then, he handed it back to Doctor Jackton.
More than anything, Horatio wanted to hear from Juliet. But she did not reply to his letters. He knew they had been delivered, Hall had personally arranged for them to be carried to Wetherby House. But he had heard nothing back.
He was not about to mention it in front of Jackton though. Having delivered the medicine, Jackton gave the bellpull a sharp tug, then excused himself and left. Horatio waited for his strength to return and for Hall to respond to the summons.
It was not Hall who responded though. It wasFrances Godwin. She entered the room, dressed in a gown that left her chest bare to the slopes of her breasts. Her auburn hair was elaborately curled. Having entered the room she stood lips parted and cheeks flushed, ducking her head demurely.
“I did not send for you, Miss Godwin,” Horatio muttered, coldly.
“You did not, but I am afraid that Mr. Hall is unavailable presently. He has left the house on an errand.”
“So you are now a member of my household staff, are you?” Horatio asked.
“Merely trying to help in any way I can, Your Grace,” Frances replied meekly. “How may I serve Your Grace?”
Horatio sighed. “I have written to your cousin many times in the last month but have received no reply. Do you have any insight to give as to the reason for this?”
He was wearing a thick dressing robe that covered him from chin to floor, but was still hardly appropriately dressed to be alone in company with an unmarried female. Horatio could scarcely bring himself to care though.
Frances' blush deepened and she looked away from Horatio, glancing at him occasionally from beneath lowered lids. She seemed reluctant to meet his eyes. He rose, feeling some strength coming back to him already. He ambled across the room to her, looking down on her.
“I am waiting for an answer,” he muttered.
“Forgive me, Your Grace. I do not know how to answer in a way that will spare your feelings,” Frances replied.
