“It is quite all right,” Rosalie assured her, smiling somewhat sadly now. “I am quite used to it. And do call me Rosalie.”
“Used to it?” Josephine repeated, looking around, and finding a comb in the little drawer of the nightstand. She walked over to Rosalie and showed her the comb. “Do you mind?”
“No,” Rosalie blushed, her pale face now resembling a rose more than ever. “Not one bit. I would very much appreciate it.”
She adjusted herself on the bed, turning to the side, so Josephine could try and detangle her long, ashen hair.
“People always stare at what they have never seen before,” Rosalie explained. “And I am what they have never seen, wherever I go. It is best to learn to live with this.”
Josephine didn’t say anything to that. Cautiously, she took a strand of Rosalie’s hair, and brushed it softly, making sure not to pull it too hard. Once she was done, she braided it and took a small red ribbon which was hanging from her apron, then tied it at the end of the long, white braid.
“There,” Josephine beamed at her handiwork. “You look like a snow princess, if I do say so myself.”
“You are most kind to say so,” Rosalie blushed even more this time, her white eyelashes hiding her clear blue eyes. “I wish everyone was as kind as you.”
Josephine didn’t get a chance to say anything to that, because another knock was heard, and the Countess entered once more, followed by a stern looking man. Rosalie immediately recognized him as the physician. He could be nothing else, with that black leather bag, and spectacles which slid from the bridge of his nose all the way to the tip, and he had already pushed them back up twice since they walked in.
“Mr. Higgins,” the Countess announced. “This is our guest as of last night, Miss. Rosalie Blake.”
The physician immediately approached her, and Josephine quickly brought him a chair from the other end of the room, so he could have a seat opposite Rosalie.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss. Blake.” Mr. Higgins nodded professionally, adjusting his spectacles once more. He showed no shock or displeasure regarding her outward appearance, and she appreciated it. He did not stare at her, nor inspected her, as she expected a physician to. Perhaps, she had the Countess to thank for this. Perhaps he did not wish to show himself unprofessional in her presence.
Rosalie smiled a little nervously. She didn’t want any of them to know that she had never been examined by a male doctor. Whenever she was ill, she knew which tea to take or what herbal mixture to make. However, these people obviously trusted him, and she would need to, as well.
“I have been acquainted with your condition, Miss. Blake,” he continued. “You were out in the wet and cold for an uncertain amount of time, and I hear there is a consumptive cough involved as well.”
“Uhm, yes, I suppose so.” She wasn’t really certain what he meant regarding the term consumptive, but she opted for agreement.
“It is rather violent,” the Countess confirmed. “The girls have vouched for it.”
“Well, My Lady, for violent coughing I suggest a bolus of rose conserve with powdered frankincense,” the physician nodded, and Rosalie made a mental note of it. She had absolutely no idea where on earth she would find rose conserve, but she had remembered her chest pain from the previous night and was grateful that it had subsided at least a little.
“Any fever?” the physician asked, and Rosalie expected him to touch his hand to her forehead, like Josephine did, but he refrained from it.
He showed no displeasure at her countenance, but he kept his distance, it seemed. The physical connection was also brought down to a minimum.
“No,” she lied, blushing a little. Josephine was there but didn’t say anything.
Rosalie hated that she was forced to lie once more. However, the thought of being touched by a stranger repulsed her. She remembered Mr. Loveless’ announcements:
Come forth! Touch it if you do not believe! It is no powder on this woman’s skin! Come, feel for yourselves!
Rosalie shivered, her skin breaking out in goosebumps all over her body.
“That is odd.” The physician raised an eyebrow. “Your other symptoms suggest you should have a slight fever at least. In any case, your diet these days should consist of restorative broths. That should aid with the cough, as well as with your overall condition.”
“Thank you,” Rosalie nodded, in a way glad that he refrained from touching her.
“Well, if that is all, I shall take my leave, My Lady,” Mr. Higgins got up, and looked around, searching for the Countess. “If the girls or the young lady here take a turn for the worse, do send for me. But I do not see that happening as long as you follow my advice.”
“We shall, Mr. Higgins,” the Countess smiled.
“Good day, Miss. Blake.” The doctor bowed curtly, then headed out the door.
The Countess followed, and Rosalie was once again left alone, with Josephine, her cheeks blushing wildly, her fingers trembling.
“I need to leave as well and tend to my duties,” Josephine excused herself.
