“Housekeeper speaking,” Mrs B answered the internal phone on the second ring.
With a twinge of apprehension for the kind woman, Pierre said, “Hi, Mrs B. can you come up to Lord M – Mr M,” she corrected herself quickly.
“I know you call me that behind my back,” he snarled, “just like all my other wishes which you simply ignore.”
He’d never spoken to her like that before. Of course, he was often bad-tempered and impatient, and he did more than his fair share of shouting. But always, always underneath his harsh words, there was kindness or even humour.
“Tell her to come up this instant.” His voice crackled with rage. “And bring with her Liam, Nurse Ann, Adam, and that photographer fellow too.”
Quickly, so as not to aggravate him even more, Pierre spoke into the phone, “Can you and—”
“I heard,” Mrs B said on the other end of the line.
Pierre could imagine her pursing her lips as she often did when she was on the receiving end of Lord M’s unreasonable demands. “Tell him we’ll be up right away.”
______
“Whatever you all think of me and my failing mental faculties.” Lord M glared around the semi-circle of worried faces. He hadn’t even invited them to sit. “I am still master of this house.”
There were a few nervous nods. Liam and Ann exchanged guilty glances. Gabriel, next to them, stood very still, his eyes searched for her. She gave him a tiny headshake to tell him she had no idea why they’d been summoned in this way.
“So,” Lord M said, “I am ordering each and every one of you” — His piercing ice-blue eyes travelled from face to face — “Do not discuss my health with anyone outside this room. And this includes my son and future daughter-in-law.”
There was a moment of stunned silence. Predictably, it was Adam who broke it in his quiet voice. “I would have to discuss your tests with a hospital if I’m to—”
“No more tests,” Lord M cut in. “Not here, not in any hospital. Do not think you can simply cart me off like a parcel and deposit me in some institution?”
Gabriel drew in a sharp breath, his eyes flicked between Adam and the old man. Pierre could almost feel words on the tip of his tongue being held back.
Adam tried again, “I—”
Again, Lord M didn’t give him a chance to speak. “You are my doctor, are you not?”
“And as your doctor, I have—”
“As my doctor, you are bound by your professional code of ethics.”
“It is precisely because of my ethical duty as your doctor that I’m concerned. I can’t give you adequate treatment here.”
She had to give it to Adam, like Laura, he was no roll over. In his own way, he put up quite a fight.
Unfortunately, Lord M was more than a match for him. “Do your medical ethics allow you to gossip about my condition with any member of my staff over lunch?”
Adam’s face flushed.
Pierre had to say something now because Adam hadn’t been gossiping. In fact, it was her and Gabriel who’d asked him. She started to move forward, her mouth open, but a warning look from Gabriel stopped her.
What?She waited for him to do or say more.
Silently, his eyes flicked back to Lord M as if to say,Wait.
In the end, it was Nurse Ann who came to Adam’s defence. “He never gossiped. I was–”
“Quiet!” Lord M shouted, freezing her mid-word.
“You,” he addressed Adam again, “will respect your patient’s confidentiality and will not – and I mean, not – breathe a word about my health to anyone. Do I make myself clear?”
Adam drew in a long breath and held it then he nodded slowly. “Of course, Mr Du Montfort, if that is your wish.”
