Amelia peeked past Dr. Williams—it was a roughly drawn sketch of Sam’s upper body, his belly cut open and displayed in pencil. Amelia covered her mouth and stepped back into Graham’s chest.
“You don’t have to stay for this,” Graham whispered.
“Yes, I do.”
“Not for the weak, is it, Lady Amelia?” Dr. Sloan commented. “But rest assured, whatever the outcome, your brother will be recorded in medical history.”
Amelia stared at him. “I cannot adequately convey how comforting that is. Thank you, Dr. Sloan.”
His lips twitched in amusement.
Dr. Williams set the book down and leaned over Sam. “Lord Alston, can you hear me?”
Amelia fisted her hands, praying Sam would move, open his eyes, or do something to give them hope.
“I do not expect such a rapid return to consciousness,” Dr. Sloan said. “But his present state does not determine the final outcome.”
“Then what does it mean?” Mr. Crest waved a hand at Sam. “The succession of an earldom is dependent on him.”
Dr. Sloan cocked his eyebrow. “This isn’t my business, but if you’re looking for a medical opinion, at present, the Earl of Alston is alive.”
Amelia wanted to double over and lose her breakfast. His callous words were a punch to her stomach. Maybe she ought to step out. She was going to either be sick or hurt someone. But he made a very valid point in Sam’s favor. Her brother was alive.
“What is your specialty, Dr. Williams?” Dr. Sloan asked with a predatory gleam.
Amelia straightened. “Apparently, he’s here to determine my sanity.”
Dr. Sloan folded his arms. “She’s sane enough for a woman.”
Amelia grit her teeth.
“I have dedicated my time to studying diseases of the mind,” Dr. Williams said, answering the question and ignoring both their comments.
Dr. Sloan smiled slyly. “Ah, I see. You’re not a doctor at all.”
Dr. Williams blustered. “And just who do you think you are, young man? What experience could you have to lend to the medical community?”
Now Sloan smiled with all his teeth. “I’m so glad you asked. Come have a look at my notes, and I’ll show you just what I intend to bring to the medical community.”
Amelia moved forward, ready to remove Dr. Williams from the room herself if needed. There would be no more raised voices in Sam’s room, whatever it cost her in that man’s eyes. But Graham touched Amelia’s elbow and pulled her back. “Wait, I want to see him eviscerate Dr. Williams.”
Sure enough, after two pages of Sloan flipping through his drawings and explaining them in detail, Dr. Williams was turning green and covering his mouth.
Dr. Sloan gave him a disgusted look. “I won’t have you getting sick in my patient’s room. Get out.”
“You’re a butcher!” Dr. Williams said as he hurried away.
“I’m the pinnacle of current surgical medicine,” Dr. Sloan gloated unabashedly as Dr. Williams closed the door behind himself.
Amelia shook her head at Dr. Sloan, and he winked at her.
She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Mr. Crest, who had lurked silently near the door through the entire exchange. “Well, as Dr. Sloan has said, he is alive. You may go now.”
Mr. Crest straightened his jacket. “Lady Amelia, Mr. Blakewood, thank you for allowing us to see his lordship. If Lord Alston should pass or never improve, please do not hesitate to summon me.
“He will recover,” Amelia declared.
Graham left to escort Dr. Williams and Mr. Crest back downstairs, and Amelia went to Sam’s side. “Sam, if you can hear me, you need to get better fast.” She peered at Dr. Sloan,who watched her from Sam’s other side. “Do you think he can hear me?”
