A visitor. Someone wealthy, clearly. But who would visit the Whitcombes at such a time, and with such evident affluence?
She heard the front door open, heard voices in the entrance hall; her mother's, surprised and uncertain, and another voice, male, unfamiliar, speaking with the crisp authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed.
Lillian smoothed her gown and went to investigate.
The man standing in the entrance hall was perhaps sixty years old, with silver hair, sharp eyes, and an air of professional competence that announced his occupation as clearly as any sign. He was dressed well but not extravagantly, and he carried a leather bag that Lillian recognized immediately.
A physician. A real physician, not a country physician, but the sort who attended the wealthy and titled in London.
"Ah, you must be Miss Whitcombe." The man turned to her with a slight bow. "I am Mr. Harrington. I understand your father has suffered a fall."
"I…...Indeed, but..." Lillian looked at her mother, who appeared equally bewildered. "Forgive me, Mr. Harrington, but we did not send for a physician from London."
"No, you did not. I was in the area, visiting a patient some miles distant, and I heard of Mr. Whitcombe's accident. A fall from a roof, I understand? Broken leg, possible cracked ribs, head injury?"
"That is correct, but..."
"I am a specialist in bone injuries, Miss Whitcombe. I have treated such cases many times. If you would permit me to examine your father, I believe I may be of assistance."
Lillian's mind raced. A specialist. A London physician. The kind of care that Mr. Crawford had said her father needed but they could not afford.
"Mr. Harrington, I appreciate your offer, but I am afraid we are not in a position to…...Our circumstances do not allow..."
"There is no question of payment." Harrington's voice was brisk, dismissive. "As I said, I was in the area. Consider it a professional courtesy."
"A professional courtesy to whom? We have never met."
Something flickered in Harrington's eyes; a moment of hesitation, quickly concealed. "To a mutual acquaintance. I am not at liberty to say more. Now, may I see the patient?"
Lillian wanted to refuse. Every instinct told her that something was not right about this; that physicians did not simply appear at the homes of country gentlemen, offering their services for free, claiming to be "in the area" when London was a day's journey away.
But her father was upstairs, in pain, his leg possibly improperly set, his recovery uncertain. And here was a man who might be able to help.
Pride or prudence. Suspicion or hope.
In the end, there was no choice at all.
"This way," Lillian said, and led him up the stairs.
***
Mr. Harrington's examination was thorough, professional, and surprisingly gentle. He spoke to Mr. Whitcombe with respect, explaining each step before he took it, pausing when the pain became too intense, offering reassurance in a voice that had clearly delivered such reassurances many times before.
Lillian stood by the window, watching, her arms crossed over her chest.
"The leg," Harrington pronounced at last, straightening from his examination. "Mr. Crawford did an adequate job with the setting, better than adequate, in fact. He is a credit to his profession. But I would recommend some additional support to ensure proper alignment during healing. I have brought materials with me that will hold the bone more securely than the standard approach."
"You brought materials with you?" Lillian's voice was sharper than she intended. "For a patient you did not know you would be seeing?"
Harrington met her gaze without flinching. "I always travel prepared, Miss Whitcombe. One never knows what one will encounter on the road."
"Indeed."
"I have also brought medicines; a more effective preparation for pain than standard laudanum, and a poultice that will reduce the inflammation around the ribs. Your father should begin to feel more comfortable within a day or two."
"And the head injury?"
"Concerning but not critical. I see no signs of serious damage. However, I would recommend continued observation for at least another week. If any symptoms develop, confusion, persistent headache, changes in vision, you must send for a physician immediately."
