Wang nodded. “The lad’s fighting skills were non-existent, but he fought with great courage, attempting to defend the lady, who was also trying to fight off the attackers with an umbrella. I thought that four grown men against one lad and a lady were uneven odds, so I jumped into the fight. Within seconds, the men were retreating, the fight almost over. That would have been the end of it. Then shots rang out. At that moment, Colin barreled into me from behind and would have tumbled me to the ground if not for my training. As it was, I still felt the impact of the bullet when it hit him.”
Esther gasped. “Colin was shot?”
“Yes. He saw the guard aiming at me and jumped in front of the bullet. Probably saved my life that night.”
She really wished she could move now. But not only was she pinned in place by her infirmity and the needles, she wasalso naked and standing from her prone position would have exposed her. So she stayed put.
“So he took the bullet instead? What happened to him? Did you heal him?”
Wang shook his head. “He wasn’t harmed. He was wearing a brace for his back, and the leather and metal contraption around his torso stopped the bullet. Still, it was mighty courageous on his part to step into the path of a bullet. Especially to save a stranger. It proved my initial assessment of his bravery.”
“You had stepped in to help him as well,” Esther suggested softly.
“Still, few Englishmen would have risked his life for a Chinese person.”
She thought she detected an edge to his words. Had he suffered discrimination because of his origins? As soon as the question formed, she knew the answer. Of course he had. Her own class discriminated against people for the unfortunate circumstance of not having a title attached to their names, even when they had been born in the same land. How much more would they hold prejudice against a foreigner? Someone who looked different and whose language and culture they couldn’t understand. People often let fear of the unknown overshadow what they should celebrate and share.
“I’m glad he did,” she breathed, but with true conviction.
If Colin hadn’t, this incredible man might have perished that day. She might have never met him, and all their lives might have been poorer for it. It would have been a terrible waste.
“And then you became friends?”
A corner of Wang’s mouth hitched up. “Something like that. He brushed away my gratitude and instead thanked me for coming to their aid. My fighting style impressed him, so he pestered me until I agreed to teach him to fight.”
“So you taught him how to fight and about medicine, too?”
“No. He was already a student at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. I suspect his own medical challenges gave him an interest in medicine and surgery. He didn’t even find out I was a doctor until several months into our acquaintance.”
“How so? Did you not want him to find out?”
A small shrug. “I wasn’t practicing medicine at the time. Hadn’t been for a few years. Ever since I left my country. There was no point in talking about it.”
“Why were you not practicing? You obviously love helping people. I’m proof of it.”
“It’s time to remove the needles and return home,” he said, standing. “The owner was adamant that we only had the use of this place for one hour.”
That might be true, but his face had shuttered. She had touched on a sensitive subject, and she had no right to pry. For now, at least. Now that she had caught a glimpse of his past, she couldn’t wait to peer more closely into his hidden depths.
CHAPTER 5
Theyhadbeenholdingdaily therapies for two weeks now, coming to the baths every other day, and performing other types of therapies at home, while the rest of the family was otherwise engaged.
He would have preferred to speak about their endeavors with Colin, even seek his opinion and share their progress, but Esther wanted to keep everything secret, at least until she felt confident she could recover. She claimed she didn’t want to raise false hopes, nor burden the family with her troubles. He understood and respected her wishes. Colin had his hands full with his wife expecting their first child and escorting Lady Elizabeth to society events.
But although keeping their therapies secret, everything was going so well, Wang had grown complacent. Esther’s progress was better than even he had expected. Even if she sometimes despaired of ever achieving her goal of walking again, he felt very optimistic about her success.
Yet, as soon as they arrived in the baths this evening, he knew they would face trouble.
No sooner had they crossed the door of the establishment than the owner himself came out to meet them. He had not seen the man since the first day when he arranged for the use of the baths. Usually, a dour-faced maid opened the door and then disappeared for the entire hour.
“Mr. Wang, I’d have a word with you, if you please.”
Wang transferred his attention from the countess in his arms to the impertinent man.
“In a moment. First, I need to take the lady to the dressing room.”
“That’s precisely what I want to talk about. We won’t be able to accommodate your request any longer.”
